20191217_mh2.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER RAPER
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
FROM:MATT HUNTER
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE:DECEMBER 13,2019
SUBJECT:IN THE MATTER OF GEM STATE WATER COMPANY,LLC'S
APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF ACQUISITION OF THE ASSETS
OF THE WATER BUSINESS OF HAPPY VALLEY WATER SYSTEM INC.
AND BITTERROOT WATER CO.,INC.;CASE NO.GSW-W-19-01.
On November 18,2019,Gem State Water Company,LLC (Gem State Water)applied
to the Commission for approval of its acquisition of the water business assets of Happy Valley
Water System,Inc.(Happy Valley)and Bitterroot Water Co.,Inc.(Bitterroot).The Company also
asked for approval to transfer Happy Valley and Bitterroot's certificates of public convenience and
necessity to Gem State Water.
THE APPLICATION
Gem State Water is an Idaho limited liability company created to own and operate
water utilities in Idaho.Application at 2.Gem State Water,through its parent companies,is owned
by Northwest Natural HoldingCompany.Id.Gem State Water states the transfer of ownership will
not result in a change to Happy Valley and Bitterroot's rates.Id.at 4.Happy Valley is a regulated
water utilitythat services approximately 27 residential customers in north Idaho.Id.at 3.Bitterroot
is a regulated water utility that services approximately 160 residential customers in north Idaho.
Id.The same persons own Happy Valley and Bitterroot.Id.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Commission issue a Notice of Application and Notice of
Modified Procedure,setting a February 19,2020 comment deadline and a February 26,2020 reply
comment deadline.
DECISION MEMORANDUM 1
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to issue a Notice of Application and Notice of Modified
Procedure,setting a February 19,2020 comment deadlineand a February 26,2020 reply comment
deadline?
Matt Hunter
Deputy Attorney General
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DECISION MEMORANDUM 2