HomeMy WebLinkAboutconsumer_rail.pdfIdaho Public Utilities Commission
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CONSUMER ASSISTANCE
Commission issues annual consumer assistance report
The Consumer Assistance staff responded to 1,463 complaints, and inquiries in calendar year 2016, of which 92
percent were from residential customers.
Breakdown by type of utility:
Contacts regarding telecommunications companies: 33 percent
Contacts regarding energy (electric, gas) companies: 43 percent
Contacts regarding water companies: 14 percent
Miscellaneous: 11 percent
(CenturyLink had 52 percent of telecommunication complaints; Idaho Power had 56 percent and Intermountain
Gas16 percent of energy utility complaints and United Water had 36 percent of water complaints.)
Summary of issues:
Billings 21 percent
Credit and collection issues 28 percent
Miscellaneous 23 percent
Utility rates and policies 12 percent
Telecommunications issues 5 percent
Line extensions and service upgrades 4 percent
Service quality and repair 8 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 71 percent of consumer complaints required investigation by the staff. About 39 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.
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
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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 (formerly the Interstate Commerce Commission)
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. In 1994, Idaho was invited to participate in the
Federal Railroad Administration’s State Participation Program. IPUC has a State Program Manager and one FRA
certified hazardous material inspector.
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 2016
Inspections 61
Rail cars inspected 647
Violations 0
Rail cars with defects 44
Crossing accidents investigated 16
Locomotives Inspected 2
Defects within locomotives inspected 0
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
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REGULATING IDAHO’S PIPELINES
Idaho Code 61-515 empowers the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to require every utility to “maintain and
operate its line, plant, system, equipment, apparatus, and premises in such a manner that promote and
safeguard the health and safety of its employees, customers and the public.”
Pursuant to 49 U.S.C Section 60105, chapter 601, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission is a certified partner
with the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline Hazardous Material Safety Administration. The
federal/state partnership provides the statutory basis for the pipeline safety program and establishes a
framework for promoting pipeline safety through federal delegation to the states for all or part of the
responsibility for intrastate natural gas pipeline facilities under annual certification.
Under the certification, Idaho assumes inspection and enforcement responsibility with respect to more than
8,300 miles of intrastate natural gas pipelines over which it has jurisdiction under state law. With the
certification, Idaho may adopt additional or more stringent standards for intrastate pipeline facilities
provided the standards are compatible with federal regulations.
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has a state program manager and three trained and certified pipeline
safety inspectors who conduct records audits and field installed equipment inspections on all intrastate
natural gas pipeline operators under jurisdiction.
Pipeline Safety Activity Summary
Standard inspection days 194.5
Compliance inspection days 10
Damage prevention inspection days 0
Construction inspection days 12
Operator Qualification inspection days 9.5
Integrity Management Program inspection days 4
Incident/Accident inspection days 0
Operator Training inspection days 0
Compliance Enforcement Actions:
Notice of Probable Violation 0
Notice of Amendment 0
Warning Letters 0
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
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This report satisfies Idaho Code 61-214; this is a “full and complete account” of the most significant cases to come before the commission
during the 2016 calendar year. (The financial report on Page 11 covers Fiscal Year July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016.) Anyone with
access to the Internet may also review the commission’s agendas, notices, case information and decisions by visiting the IPUC’s Web site
at: www.puc.idaho.gov. Commission records are also available for public inspection at the commission’s Boise office, 472 W. Washington
St., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission, as outlined in its Strategic Plan, serves the citizens and utilities of Idaho by determining fair, just
and reasonable rates for utility commodities and services that are to be delivered safely, reliably and efficiently. During the period
covered by this report, the commission also had responsibility for ensuring all rail services operating within Idaho do so in a safe and
efficient manner. The commission also has a pipeline safety section that oversees the safe operation of the intrastate natural gas
pipelines and facilities in Idaho.
Costs associated with this publication are available from the Idaho Public Utilities Commission in accordance with Section 60-202,
Idaho Code, PUC 12-100-2016.
Questions:
Gene Fadness, Policy Strategist/Public Information Officer
334-0339
gene.fadness@puc.idaho.gov