HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210323_mhdh1.pdfDECISION MEMORANDUM 1
DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO: COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER RAPER
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
FROM: DAYN HARDIE
MATT HUNTER
DEPUTY ATTORNEYS GENERAL
DATE: MARCH 19, 2021
SUBJECT: IN THE MATTER OF SUEZ WATER IDAHO INC.’S APPLICATION FOR
AUTHORITY TO INCREASE ITS RATES AND CHARGES FOR WATER
SERVICE IN IDAHO; CASE NO. SUZ-W-20-02.
On September 30, 2020, SUEZ Water Idaho, Inc. (“SUEZ”) filed an Application
requesting authorization to raise the rates it charges for water service. SUEZ requested an October
31, 2020 effective date.
On October 21, 2020, the Commission issued a Notice of Application, a suspension of
proposed effective date, and a Notice of Intervention Deadline. Order No. 34819. The Commission
suspended SUEZ’s proposed effective date for the statutory maximum period of 30 days plus 5
months. Micron Technology, Boise City, Ada County, Intermountain Fair Housing Council
(“IFHC”), SUEZ Water Customer Group (“SWCG”), Community Action Partnership Association
of Idaho (“CAPAI”), and Intervenors Gannon et al. intervened in the case.
On February 11, 2021, the parties began settlement negotiations. See IDAPA
31.01.01.271 to .277. At its February 23, 2021 decision meeting the Commission set the following
schedule for processing the case:
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2
Staff/Intervenor Prefile Testimony for parties March 17, 2021
Telephonic Public Workshop March 25, 2021
SUEZ Rebuttal Testimony
April 7, 2021
Telephonic Customer Hearing
April 15, 2021
Telephonic Technical Hearing April 20-22, 2021
See Order No. 34942. In the same order, the Commission also provided notice of the public
workshop, customer hearing, and technical hearing.
STIPULATION AND SETTLEMENT
On March 17, 2021, a Stipulation and Settlement (“Settlement”) and a motion for
Commission approval of the proposed Settlement were filed with the Commission. See IDAPA
31.01.01.056, .272, .274. The proposed Settlement is signed by SUEZ, Staff, Ada County, Boise
City, CAPAI, SWCG, and Micron Technology. The two parties that did not sign the proposed
Settlement, IFHC and Intervenors Gannon et al., both filed motions this week to withdraw as
parties from the proceeding. See IDAPA 31.01.01.045. SUEZ and Staff filed direct written
testimony in support of the proposed Settlement.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Commission issue a Notice of Proposed Settlement and amend
the schedule in this proceeding. The deadline for SUEZ’s rebuttal testimony is no longer necessary,
as all parties not seeking to withdraw from the proceeding support the proposed Settlement. Staff
also recommends the Commission establish a comment deadline for customers and interested
persons to file written comments regarding the proposed Settlement, and a reply comment deadline
for SUEZ. Finally, Staff recommends the previously scheduled technical hearing be shortened to
a single day, commencing on April 20, 2021.
Having consulted with the parties, Staff recommends the following schedule:
DECISION MEMORANDUM 3
Telephonic Public Workshop March 25, 2021
SUEZ Rebuttal Testimony
April 7, 2021
Telephonic Customer Hearing April 15, 2021
Customer Comment Deadline
April 16, 2021
SUEZ Reply Comment Deadline April 19, 2021
Technical Hearing April 20, 2021 (shortened to a
single day, beginning at 1:30 PM
(MST))
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to:
1. Issue a Notice of Proposed Settlement?
2. Amend the procedural schedule as described above, providing notice as appropriate?
__________________________
Matt Hunter
Deputy Attorney General
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