20080718notice_of_public_hearing_atl.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
July 18, 2008
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF ATLANTA POWER COMPANY FOR AN
ORDER AUTHORIZING INCREASES IN
THE COMPANY'S RATES AND CHARGES
FOR ELECTRIC SERVICE IN THE STATE
OF IDAHO
CASE NO. ATL-O8-
GENERAL RATE CASE
NOTICE OF
PUBLIC WORKSHOP
NOTICE OF SCHEDULING
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
On May 1 , 2008, Atlanta Power Company (Atlanta Power; Company) filed an
Application with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (Commission) requesting a general rate
increase in the Company s basic tariff rates for electric service together with a request for an
emergency surcharge. Atlanta Power operates pursuant to Certificate of Convenience and
Necessity No. 300. Atlanta Power is located in Elmore County and provides electric service to
approximately 75 residential and commercial customers in Atlanta. On May 20, 2008 , the
Commission issued a Notice of the Company s Application.
Pursuant to separate notice and expedited scheduling, the Commission addressed the
Company s emergency surcharge request.On June 27, 2008, in Order No. 30578 the
Commission approved a temporary 33.6% surcharge for the Company with modifications and
conditions. The emergency surcharge portion of the Company s Application will be revisited in
the Commission s consideration of the Company s request for a general rate increase.
The Commission in this Notice establishes scheduling, workshop and hearing dates
for the general rate case portion of the Company s Application. The Commission has reviewed
the filings in this case including customer comments and has determined that the public interest
does not require a technical hearing to consider the issues presented in this case, and that issues
raised by the Company s filing can be adequately addressed by written submission and by public
hearing. In so doing, the Commission notes that written comments and public testimony have
proven to be an effective means for obtaining public input and participation.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
NOTICE OF SCHEDULING
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Commission summarized the Company s Application for general rate increase in
an earlier Notice, as follows:
General Rate Case
Atlanta Power is requesting an increase in its electric rate schedules to
increase revenues by 60.62%. The Company s current rates were approved by
the Commission in Order No. 24925 effective June 15 , 1993. Nearly 15 years
have elapsed since those rates were established. Escalating those rates to
produce the rates proposed in this Application, the Company states, produces
an annual growth rate of only 3.2%. The Company is proposing numerous
changes in the way it bills customers for their electric consumption.
The Company proposes that the Schedule I residential base rate be increased
from $81 per month to $83 per month (an increase of2.5%), the 500 kWh free
allowance be eliminated and all consumption billed at $.10 per kWh, an
increase of 100% from the current $.05 per kWh rate.
The Company also proposes that the Schedule 2 commercial base rate be
increased from $144 per month to $165 per month (14.6% increase), the 500
kWh free allowance be eliminated and all consumption being billed at $.
per kWh, an increase of 11.1 % from the current $.18 per kWh rate.
The Company further proposes to eliminate its Schedule 3 seasonal (weekend
or part-time use) customer rate schedule. Customers under this rate would be
moved to applicable residential or commercial rate schedules. The current
seasonal residential base rate would change from $35 per month to $83 per
month (137%) and the commodity rate would decrease by 52% from $.21 per
kWh to $.10 per kWh. The seasonal commercial base rate would increase
from $65 per month to $165 per month (154%) and the commodity rate would
decrease by 5% from $.21 per kWh to $.20 per kWh.
The Company proposes to modify the language in its Rule 12b (Limitation of
Use) to clarify that the $10 per month charge approved by the Commission is
for temporary connections only of recreational types of vehicles (campers
motor homes and trailers) connected to the service of a regular customer
electrical connection. All such piggyback connections served through another
customer s meter for a period greater than 30 days annually under the
Company s proposal will be treated as additional residential or commercial
service. The effect of this clarification and language is to increase the charge
for such a connection from $10 to $82 (820%) per month if connected to a
residential service and to $165 (1,650%) if connected to a commercial service.
Atlanta Power proposes to change its Schedule 4 reconnection charges for
residential customers who voluntarily or involuntarily disconnect from the
system for a period of more than 30 days from $200 to $335 (approximately 4
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
NOTICE OF SCHEDULING
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
times the monthly base rate). Similarly, the Company proposes to change the
reconnection charge for commercial customers who voluntarily or
involuntarily disconnect from the system for a period of more than 30 days
from $200 to $660 (approximately 4 times the monthly base rate). These
changes, the Company contends, are necessary to discourage customers from
seasonally disconnecting from the system causing a loss of revenue to the
Company and resulting in upward pressure on rates to keep the Company
viable.
Atlanta also proposes to add new fees that are not currently approved by the
Commission. The Company requests that the Commission approve a new $20
fee to reprocess and collect for checks returned by any bank for any reason.
The Company also requests that the Commission authorize it to collect late
fees of 12% per annum (I % per month) on past-due accounts.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that a public workshop in Case No. A TL-08-
has been scheduled for SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2008 AT 3:00 P.M. AT PINNACLE
PEAKS SAWTOOTH LODGE, 416 NORTH GREENE VALLEY LANE, ATLANTA,
IDAHO The purpose of this public workshop will be for Commission Staff to dispense
information concerning the Company s Application and to obtain input from the public prior to
filing its report and recommendations in this case. The Company s customers and any other
interested members of the public are encouraged to attend.
NOTICE OF SCHEDULING
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission hereby establishes a
September 18, 2008 deadline in Case No. A TL-08-02 for the filing by Commission Staff of
its report and recommendations regarding the Company s general rate case Application.
The deadline for filing written comments by customers (and other interested
parties) with respect to the Company s general rate case is Friday, October 3, 2008.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that written comments concerning Case No. ATL-
08-02 should be mailed to the Commission and Atlanta Power Company at the addresses
reflected below.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
NOTICE OF SCHEDULING
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
Israel Ray
Atlanta Power Company
11140 Chicken Dinner Road
Caldwell, ID 83406
Street Address for Express Mail:Robert E. Smith
2209 N. Bryson Road
Boise, ID 83713
E-mail: utilitygroup~yahoo.com
472 W. Washington Street
Boise, ID 83702-5918
All comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this
document. Persons desiring to submit comments via e-mail may do so by accessing the
Commission s home page located at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click the "Comments and Questions
icon, and complete the comment form, using the case number as it appears on the front of this
document. These comments must also be sent to Atlanta Power at the e-mail address listed
above.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission will conduct a public
hearing in Case No. ATL-08-02 for the purpose of taking public comments and testimony on
TUESDAY. OCTOBER 7, 2008. COMMENCING AT 4:00 P.M. AT THE PINNACLE
PEAKS SAWTOOTH LODGE. 416 NORTH GREENE VALLEY LANE. ATLANTA.
IDAHO.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the workshop and hearing in this matter will
be conducted pursuant to the Rules of Procedure adopted by the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission. IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all workshops and hearings in this matter will
be held in facilities meeting the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA). Persons needing the help of a sign language interpreter or other assistance in order to
participate in or to understand testimony and argument at a public workshop or hearing may ask
the Commission to provide a sign language interpreter or other assistance at the hearing. The
request for assistance must be received at least five (5) working days before the hearing by
contacting the Commission Secretary at:
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
NOTICE OF SCHEDULING
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
[phone] (Telephone)
[phone] (FAX)
Mail: secretarv~puc.idaho.gov
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application in Case No. A TL-08-
may be viewed at www.puc.idaho.gov by clicking on "File Room" and "Electric Cases " or can
be viewed during regular business hours at the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, 472 W.
Washington Street, Boise, Idaho.
DATED at Boise, Idaho this f! day of July 2008.
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
bls/N:A TL-08-02 sw3
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
NOTICE OF SCHEDULING
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING