Section VI Consumer Assistance, Pipeline & Railroad.pdf

Idaho Public Utilities Commission
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CONSUMER ASSISTANCE
0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%
1
Complaints by industry
Miscellaneous (unregulated services, unidentified utility, general information requests)
Water companies
Energy companies (electric, natural gas)
Telecommunications companies
Commission issues annual consumer assistance report
The Consumer Assistance staff responded to 975 complaints and inquiries in calendar year 2018*, 91 percent of
which were from residential customers.
The chart below illustrates the complaints and inquiries by industry.
*As of Nov. 15, 2018
The chart below summarizes the types of issues reported to the Commission. While the Consumer Assistance staff is
able to respond to most inquiries without extensive research, about 70 percent of complaints required investigation by
the staff. Approximately 45 percent of investigations resulted in reversal or modification of the utility’s original action.
Payment terms were negotiated in 21 percent of the investigations.
Summary of issues
Billing
Credit and Collection (deposits, disconnection, payment arrangements)
Miscellaneous issues
Rates and policies
Telecommunications issues
Line extensions and service upgrades
Service quality and repair
Unable to follow up with person who inquired or filed complaint
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
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REGULATING IDAHO’S RAILROADS
Category Total
Idaho Railroad Track Miles 1604*
Hazmat Inspections 220
Rail Cars inspected 5096
Railcar Violations 35
Railcar Defects 505
Railroad Grade Crossings Inspected 1017
Crossing Accidents Investigated 11
Crossing Complaints Investigated 12
Crossing Complaints Validated 9
Locomotives Inspected 5
Locomotive defects 1
*Source: ITD
The Commission 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. The
Commission has a State Program Manager and one FRA certified hazardous material inspector.
The Commission inspects railroad-highway grade crossings where incidents occur, investigates citizen complaints of
unsafe or rough crossings and conducts railroad-crossing surveys.
The Commission also plays a role when a rail lines are abandoned.
More than 900 miles of railroad track in Idaho have been abandoned
since 1976.
Federal law governs rail line abandonments, and the federal Surface
Transportation Board (STB. formerly the Interstate Commerce Commis-
sion) decides the final outcome of abandonment applications.
Under Idaho law, however, after a railroad files its federal notice of
intent to abandon, the Idaho Commission 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.
Railroad Activity Summary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
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REGULATING IDAHO’S PIPELINES
FY2018 4th Q
2017
1st Q
2018
2nd Q
2018
3rd Q
2018 Total
Inspection days 425
Standard 28 55 98.5 112 293.5
Compliance 0 0 2 1 3
Damage prevention 1 2 1 1 5
Construction 26 16.5 13.5 21 77
OQ 11 1.5 4 1 17.5
IMP 0 6 0 0 6
Incident/accident 1 0 0 0 1
Operator training 4 15 3 0 22

Compliance enforcement actions 6
Notice of probable violation 0 1 0 3 4
Notice of amendment 0 0 0 0 0
Letter of concern 0 1 0 1 2
Warning letters 0 0 0 0 0
Pipeline summary activity
Idaho Code 61-515 empowers the 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 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 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.
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 2018 calendar year. (The financial report and natural gas report cover Fiscal Year July 1, 2017 through
June 30, 2018.)
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 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.
Questions?
Contact Matt Evans
Public Information Officer
[phone]
[e-mail]