HomeMy WebLinkAbout20200414_de1rq.pdfDECISION MEMORANDUM 1 APRIL 9, 2020
DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO: COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER RAPER
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
FROM: DONN ENGLISH
DATE: APRIL 9. 2020
SUBJECT: EXTENSION OF ANNUAL REPORT FILING DEADLINE DUE TO
COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
On March 25, 2020, Idaho Governor Brad Little issued an “extreme emergency
declaration” over the COVID-19 outbreak. Governor Little and the Director of Idaho
Department of Health and Welfare issued an Order to Self-Isolate for the State of Idaho (“Stay-
Home Order”) “to protect the public from the spread of infectious or communicable diseases”
through April 15, 2020, or until extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended.
In compliance with the Governor’s Order, employees of Idaho’s regulated utilities have
been working from home with limited access to the necessary accounting records and printing
capabilities necessary to complete and file the Annual Report. Intermountain Gas Company
recently filed a petition requesting the Commission issue an Order authorizing an extension of
the filing deadline for the Company’s FERC Form 2 from April 15, 2020 to April 30, 2020
provided that the Stay-Home Order is lifted by April 20, 2020. See Case No. INT-G-20-02.
Staff has heard from several small water and telephone companies requesting extensions because
they are unable to get the information from their Certified Public Accountants prior to the
April 15, 2020 filing deadline.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Commission issue an Order extending the Annual Report filing
deadline for all utilities under its jurisdiction. For utilities with Gross Operating Intrastate
Revenues greater than $2 million, Staff recommends the Commission authorize a 30-day
extension, with Annual Reports to be filed no later than May 15, 2020. For utilities with less
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2 APRIL 9, 2020
than $2 million in Gross Operating Intrastate Revenues, Staff recommends the Commission
authorize a 60-day extension with Annual Reports to be filed no later than June 15, 2020. Staff
believes this proposed extension would allow for sufficient time for utility personnel to obtain
the necessary information and printing capabilities to file the Annual Reports. Staff recommends
that the Commission encourage all utilities to file their Annual Reports on time or as soon as
possible.
It is important to note that an Annual Report extension does not automatically waive the
requirements to file Gross Intrastate Operating Reports with the Commission or waive
assessment fee payments.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to issue an Order extending the deadline to file Annual
Reports for 30 days for utilities with Gross Operating Intrastate Revenues greater than $2
million, and 60 days for utilities with Gross Operating Intrastate Revenues less than $ 2 million?
Does the Commission want to encourage utilities to file on time or as soon as possible?
/s/ Donn J. English_____________
Donn English
Udmemos/Annual Report Extension Dec Memo