2017 annual report section 6.pdf

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Idaho Public Utilities Commission
CONSUMER ASSISTANCE
Commission issues annual consumer assistance report
The Consumer Assistance staff responded to 1,424 complaints and inquiries in calendar year 2017*,
91 percent of which were from residential customers. The first chart below illustrates the complaints
and inquiries by industry, while the second chart summarizes the types of issues reported to the IPUC.

While the Consumer Assistance Staff is able to respond to most inquiries without extensive research,
about 75 percent of complaints required investigation by the staff. About 44 percent of investigations
resulted in reversal or modification of the utility’s original action. Payment terms were negotiated in
20 percent of the investigations.
*As of Nov. 15, 2017
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Idaho Public Utilities Commission
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 compli-
ance with state and federal laws, rules and regulations concerning the transportation of hazardous ma-
terials, 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 com-
plaints of unsafe or rough crossings and conducts railroad-crossing surveys.

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Idaho Public Utilities Commission
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 estab-
lishes 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 facili-
ties 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 its jurisdiction.
REGULATING IDAHO’S PIPELINES
202
5
5.5
93
19.5
18
21
18
0 50 100 150 200 250
Standard inspection days
Compliance inspection days
Damage prevention inspection days
Construction inspection days
Operator qualification inspection days
Integrity Management Program inspection days
Incident/Accident inspection days
Operator training inspection days
Pipeline Safety Activity Summary
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Idaho Public Utilities Commission

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 2017 calendar year. (The financial report and natural gas report cover
Fiscal Year July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017.)
Interested parties may 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 Com-
mission’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 en-
suring 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 accord-
ance with Section 60-202, Idaho Code, PUC 12-20-2017.

Questions?
Contact Matt Evans, Public Information Officer
[phone]
[e-mail]