HomeMy WebLinkAboutrail_consumer.pdfIPUC Annual Report 2009
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Regulating Idaho’s railroads
More than 900 miles of railroad track in Idaho have been abandoned since 1976.
Federal law governs rail line abandonments. The federal Surface Transportation Board
decides the final outcome of abandonment applications. Under Idaho law, however,
after a railroad files its federal notice of intent to abandon, the IPUC must determine
whether the proposed abandonment would adversely affect the public interest. The
commission then reports its findings to the STB.
In reaching a conclusion, the commission considers whether abandonment
would adversely affect the service area, impair market access or access of Idaho
communities to vital goods and services, and whether the line has a potential for
profitability.
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission also conducts inspections of Idaho’s
railroads to determine compliance with state and federal laws, rules and regulations
concerning the transportation of hazardous materials, locomotive cab safety and
sanitation rules, and railroad/highway grade crossings.
Hazardous material inspections are conducted in rail yards and at shipping
facilities. In 1994, Idaho was invited to participate in the Federal Railroad
Administration’s State Participation Program. IPUC has a State Program Manager and
two FRA certified hazardous material inspectors.
The IPUC inspects railroad‐highway grade crossings where incidents occur,
investigates citizen complaints of unsafe or rough crossings and conducts railroad‐
crossing surveys.
Railroad Activity Summary
2009
Inspections 227
Rail cars inspected 2158
Violations 9
Rail cars with defects 284
Crossing accidents investigated 8
Crossing complaints 2
Locomotives Inspected 15
Defects within locomotives inspected 0
IPUC Annual Report 2009
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Operation Lifesaver
Idaho Operation Lifesaver is a non‐profit state organization dedicated to
increasing public awareness of the potential dangers that exist at highway/rail grade
crossings and around trains in general.
Volunteers from various sponsoring groups and other interested individuals staff
the organization. Volunteer staff members talk to about 130,000 people each year at
presentations and safety booths. Because of the IPUC’s railroad safety oversight, it has
taken a leading role in sponsoring and supporting Operation Lifesaver. IPUC staff
members participate by making presentations to groups, manning safety booths and
serving on the board and various committees.
It is the intent of the program to achieve its goal by using:
Education – Educate the public about trains by providing safety presentations
and by operating informational booths.
Engineering – Work with government entities, businesses and railroads to
improve highway/rail intersections.
Enforcement – Work with law enforcement agencies and railroads to enforce
traffic laws pertaining to highway/rail intersections.
Railroads in Idaho
Palouse River Railroad Burlington Northern Railroad
709 N. 10th St, Walla Walla, WA, 90362 176 E. Fifth St., St. Paul, MN, 55101
509.522.1464 208.263.2016
Idaho track miles: 0 Idaho track miles: 123
Great Northwest Railroad Eastern Idaho Railroad
PO Box 116, Lewiston, ID, 83501 618 Shoshone St. West, Twin Falls, ID, 83301
208.743.2559 208.733.4686
Idaho track miles: 8 Idaho track miles: 269
Idaho Northern & Pacific Montana Rail Link
PO Box 715, Emmett, ID, 83617 PO Box 8779, Missoula, MT, 59807
208.365.6353 406.523.1500
Idaho track miles: 99 Idaho track miles: 45
St. Maries River Railroad Union Pacific Railroad
318 N. 10th St., St. Maries, ID, 83861 1416 Dodge St., Omaha, NE, 68179
208.245.4531 208.343.1771
Idaho track miles: 99.4 Idaho track miles: 849
BG&CM Railroad, Inc. Boise Valley Railroad, Inc.
PO Box 1759, Orofino, ID, 83544 100 PFE Drive, Nampa, ID, 83687
208.476.7938 208.442.0144
Idaho track miles: 109 Idaho track miles: 36
IPUC Annual Report 2009
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Consumer Assistance
The Consumer Assistance staff responded to 2,644 complaints, comments or
inquiries in calendar year 2008, of which 87 percent were from residential customers.
The number of complaints has decreased slightly from 2007, when complaints totaled
2,672.
Breakdown of complaints by type of utility
Contacts regarding telecommunications companies: 43 percent
Contacts regarding energy (electric, gas) companies: 43 percent
Contacts regarding water companies: 7 percent
Non-utility related contacts: 7 percent
(Qwest Communications had 35 percent of telecommunication complaints; Idaho Power had 40 percent
and Intermountain Gas 32 percent of energy utility complaints and United Water had 27 percent of water
complaints.)
Summary of service quality issues:
Disputed billings 23 percent
Credit and collection issues 28 percent
Miscellaneous 17 percent
Utility rates and policies 14 percent
Telecommunications issues 8 percent
Line extensions and service upgrades 4 percent
Service quality and repair 6 percent
While dispute resolution remains an important task, it is hoped that by working
with consumer groups, social service agencies, and utilities, persistent causes of
consumer difficulties can be identified and addressed.
Consumer complaints present an opportunity for utilities and the commission to
learn the effect of utility practices and policies on people. For example, the
unintentional and perhaps unfair impact of a rule or regulation might be discovered in
the course of investigating a complaint. In such cases an informal, negotiated remedy
may not be possible, and formal action by the commission would be required. The
Consumer Assistance Staff’s participation in formal rate and policy cases before the
commission is the primary method used to address these issues.
While the Consumer Assistance Staff is able to respond to some consumer
inquiries without extensive research, about 77 percent of consumer complaints required
investigation by the staff. About 42 percent of investigations resulted in reversal or
modification of the utilities’ original action.
Toll‐Free Complaint Line
The commission has a toll‐free telephone line for receiving utility complaints and
inquiries from consumers outside the Boise area. The toll‐free line (1‐800‐432‐0369) is
reserved for inquiries and complaints concerning utilities. Consumers may also file a
complaint electronically via the commission’s Website at www.puc.idaho.gov.