HomeMy WebLinkAbout20180308Summons (3).pdfldaho Public Utilities Commission
P.0. Box 81,720, Bolse, lD 83720-0074
C.L Butdr 0tt8r, Crovetmr
Paul Xjcllander, Commissloner
Kristine Raper, Commissioner
Eric Anderson, Commissioner
March B,20tB
Via Certified Mail
Linda Churches
Atlanta Power Company
P.O.Box67Z
Salmon, Idaho 83467
Re: Case No. ATL-E-18-01
Dear Ms. Churches:
Enclosed please find a Summons and Complaint issued against Atlanta Power Company in
Case No. ATL-E-18-01. As directed in the Summons, you are to file a written answer or
motion in defense of said Complaint with this Commission within 21 days of the service
date of the Summons.
Among other things, Ms. Drake complains that Atlanta Power Company is violating
Commission Order No. 31086 and ldaho Code 61-302 by failing to maintain adequate
service. The Company should respond to Ms. Drake's Complaint and all claims made
therein, and provide any necessary additional information to the Commission.
Since
Diane M. Hanian
Commission Secretary
Enclosure(s)
I: \Legal\ELECTRIC\ATL-E- 18-0 1\ATLE 180 1-CvrLtr2.don
472 West Washington Street, Boise lD 83702
Telephone: (208) 334-0300 Facsimile: (208) 334-3762
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
MARY E. DRAKE,
COMPLAINANT,SUMMONS
CASE NO. ATL-E-I8-01
ATLANTA POWER COMPANY,
RESPONDENT.
Linda Churches
Atlanta Power Company
P.O. Box 672
Salmon,Idaho 83467
THE STATE OF IDAHO SENDS GREETINGS TO THE ABOVE-NAMED RESPONDENT.
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that a Complaint has been filed with the Idaho
Public Utilities Commission by the above-named Complainant; and
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has opened a concurrent
Staff investigation into service reliability, maintenance and operations, and customer relations of
Atlanta Power Company;
YOU ARE HEREBY DIRECTED to file a written answer or written motion in
defense of the Complaint within twenty-one (21) days of the service date of this Summons; and
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that unless you do so within the time herein
specified, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission may take such action against you as is prayed
for in the Complaint or as it deems appropriate under Title 61 of the ldaho Code.
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@WITNESS my hand and the seal of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission this
day of March 2018.
(sEAL)
Diane M. Hanian
Commission Secretary
SUMMONS
l:\Legal\ELECTRIC\ATL-E-l 8-01 \ATLEI 801_Summons2_bk.doc
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ldaho Publlc Utllltles Commission
Office of the SecretarvRECEIVED
JAN 0 7.2018
8orse. idaho
From: flute.md @pmail.com [mailto:flute.md@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 2,z0tg L:47 PM
To: Front <front@puc.idaho.gov>; Beverly Barker <Beverlv.Barker@ouc.idaho.gov>
Subject: Consumer Assistance Form: Mary Drake
Name: Mary Drake
Email: f lute.md@.email.com
Telephone: 2088642L7L
Address: 72 E PINE Sf
ATLANTA I0,83716
Name of Utility Company: Atlanta Power Company Contacted Utility: Yes
Complaint: Mary E. Drake
72 E. Pine
Atlanta, ldaho 83716
ldaho Public Utilities Commission
472W. Washington
Boise, ldaho 83702
Dear Commissioners:
Please consider this a formal complaint against Atlanta Power Company for failing to fulfill their lawful
duty of providing and maintaining adequate services of electricity to the town of Atlanta, ldaho, per
ldaho Statute 61-301. The Statute reads: "DUTIES OF PUBLIC UTILITIES 61-302. MAINTENANCE OF
ADEQUATE SERVICE. Every public utility shall furnish, provide and maintain such service,
instrumentalities, equipment and facilities as shall promote the safety, health, comfort and convenience
of its patrons, employees and the public, and as shall be in all respects adequate, efficient, just and
reasonable."
lhavebeenaresidentofAtlanta, ldahofor20years. lhaveexperiencedthechangeofownershipofthe
Atlanta Power Company. I am also aware of previous complaints about the services provided by the
company, and the ensuing Final Order of May 13, 2010. There is plenty of historical evidence that shows
there has been a problem with Atlanta Power Company outages for many years.
This complaint, today, is to inform you that Atlanta Power Company is NOT DOING WHAT they agreed to
do per the Final Order dated May 13, 2010 (Order # 31086) in which it states: "lt is further ordered that
Atlanta Power Company continue to monitor the power concerns. lf the power concerns are not
mitigated, then the staff and company will advise the commission on appropriate course of action." lt
has been 7 years since this order, and the power outages still occur. Many people have complained to
the PUC, yet no action is taken. This complaint poses the question: Why is the Atlanta Power Company
not being held accountable to uphold its duties as a utility provider by the PUC? Please, we need help!
Also, after an investigation into Atlanta Power Company by PUC in February, 2005, Order #29706, it
states that "lt appears Dave Gill's availability has changed. He is available in Atlanta for immediate
system repairs most of the time." This is NO LONGER TRUE. Dave Gill no longer lives in Atlanta, ldaho.
Hence, this formal complaint, filed here, now is:
1. There continues to be frequent power outages in Atlanta, ldaho.
2. Power outages HARM the safety of Atlanta residents, due to needing access to electronics for
emergencies, drinking water (for those with electronic water pumps), and access to healthy food
(refrigerators go out and food spoils during outages).
3. There is no one in town who knows how to fix the system when the owner of Atlanta Power
Company (lsrael Ray) is out of town.
4. lsrael Ray does not hire anybody to be available to diagnose problems and fix problems during
outages.
5. Although there is a generator up here, in Atlanta, it does not function in cold weather, due to diesel
fuel.
6. lsrael Ray, as owner of Atlanta Power Company is not fulfilling his lawful duty as a utility company per
Statute 61-302 which states: DUTIES OF PUBLIC UTILITIES: 61.302. MAINTENANCE OF ADEQUATE
SERVICE. Every public utility shall furnish, provide and maintain such service, instrumentalities,
equipment and facilities as shall promote the safety, health, comfort and convenience of its patrons,
employees and the public, and as shall be in all respects adequate, efficient, just and reasonable."
Evidence that demonstrates Failure to comply with this statute includes, but not limited to:
a. There is no telephone number to call for assistance when the power goes out in Atlanta, ldaho. The
number to call is lsrael's, and the message inbox is ALWAYS FULL. No other number to call, or way to
contact him or anybody who knows how to help during a power outage. This is blatant disregard for us,
consumers, customers, residents of Atlanta, who pay our bills to Atlanta Power Company every month
for services we EXPECT to receive in exchange !
b. Israel Ray leaves town and nobody has any way to contact him. He leaves town and is nowhere to be
found during a power outage, nor has he trained anybody to help during his absence. This is simply
irresponsible, and a blatant disregard for Statute 61-302.
7. After many, many years of problems with the power in Atlanta, ldaho, there seems to be no
resolution. lf something gets fixed, it's momentary. Granted, there is a generator up here now, but it
doesn't start in the winter, and in the summer, it runs out of gas and we need to wait days before we
get diesel gas up here. Therefore, the Time is NOW to fix the problem ll When will this be resolved??
Please, please give attention to this formal complaint. The situation in Atlanta needs ATfENTION now!
lsrael Ray and The Atlanta Power Company need to be held accountable for their LACK of ACTIONS in
adhering to the law for public utilities. For, l, myself am a paying customer, as are many others in this
town and we simply WANT TO NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE CONSTANT POWER OUTAGES and TOTAL
LACK OF CUSTOMER CONSIDERAIION, and the lack of ACCOUNTABILITY demonstrated by lsrael Ray and
the Atlanta Power Company.
Thank you for your action in this matter.
Sincerely,
s/ Mary E. Drake
Mary E. Drake
Unique lde ntif ier: 2L6.782.LlL.139
Office of the Secretary
Service Date
Fcbruary 20. 20 I I
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE I\{ATTER OI.'THE INVESTIGATION
OF ATLANTA POWER COMPANY
SERVICE AND CUSTOMER RELATIONS
CASE NO. ATL.E.I8.OI
NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION
0RDER NO.33988
In the spring of 2017. Con'rmission Staff received a number of complaints from
residents of Atlanta. ldaho. outlining concerns related to electric service being provided by
Atlanta Porver Company. The customers stated that the Company's hydroelectric turbine was no
lorrger working and the Conrpany r."as using a diesel generator to provide electric service. [t rvas
reported that the generator rvas regularly rurning out of fuel and electric service outages were
occurring frequently for significant periods of time. Staff received several complaints
throughout 2017 about inadequate service and outagcs. and the inability of customers to contact
anyone from the Company. On January 2,2018, Atlanta Power customer Mary Drake filed a
Formal Complaint against Atlanta Porver Company claiming the Company is violating
Comn'rission Order No. 31086 and ltluho Code $ 61-302 by failing to maintain adequate service.
On January 22, 2018, Staff requested that the Comrnission direct thc Company to
respond to the Forrnal Complaint of Mary Drake, and to open a formal investigation into the
Courpany. Stalf recommended that thc investigation focus on service reliability, maintenance
and operation of the Company's facilities, and customer service. As part of its investigation,
Staff rvill review the Company's compliance u'ith past orders, inspect generation and distribution
fbcilities, and confer with customers.
-fhe Conrmission approvcd Staft's rccommendation that a summons be issued regarding
the Formal Complaint of Mary l)rake, and also ordered that StatT conduct an investigation undcr
the same dockct. The Comnrission directed Staff to work with the Company and its customers to
investigate reliability and customer sen'ice issues, identiff possible solutions and provide a
report detailing Staffs findings within six months.
Accordingly, we direct Atlanta Power to address the Formal Customer Complaint of
Mary Drake, to make itself available to Staff for any audit and/or inspection, and respond to any
and all questions posed by Staff. Responses should be by formal written answcr in this case.
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oRDIltr No. 33988 I
Once StalT completes its investigation, or at the appropriate time, it shall report its findings and
make recommendations to the Commission.
ORDER
IT iS HEREBY ORDERED that Commission Staff shall conduct an investigation
into the service reliability, nraintenance and operations. and customer relations of Atlanta Power
Company. Staff shall provide a report and recommendations to the Commission for further
action no later tharr July 3 l, 201 8.
lT IS FURT}{ER ORDERED that the Company respond to the Formal Complaint of
Mary Drake, as directed in the sLlmmons issued by the Commission.
IT IS FURTI{ER ORDERED that Atlanta Power Company respond to any inquiries.
Cornmission Stal'f is directed to issue production requests, written interrogatories or other forms
of discovery as rvell as pursuc its statutory right to examine and audit the records.
DONE by Orcler olthe Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this Z&
day ofFebruary 2018.
.1:'i.t
l1-
PAUL KJELT,ANDER, PRESIDENT
SIONER
..+4"4
ERIC ANDERSON, COMMISSIONER
A'f'llrST
Diane M. Hanian
Commission Secretary
I lcgrI:LORDERS ATI-Elt0l_bk-lnwri!trtion Ords doc
2ORDER NO. 33988
ldaho Public Utilities Commission
P.0. Box 87fr, Bolse, l0 &1720-0074
C.L Butch 0tter, Goryemot
Paul Kjellander, Commissioner(ristine Raper, Commisioner
Eric Anderson, Commissioner
February 2L,2078
Via Certified Mail
Israel Ray, President/Treasurer
Atlanta Power Company
11,1,40 Chicken Dinner Road
Caldwell, Idaho 83607
Re: Case No. ATL-E-18-01
Dear Mr. Ray;
Enclosed please find a Summons and Complaint issued against Atlanta Power Company in
Case No. ATL-E-18-01. As directed in the Summons, you are to file a written answer or
motion in defense of said Complaint with this Commission within 2L days of the service
date of the Summons.
Among other things, Ms. Drake complains that Atlanta Power Company is violating
Commission Order No. 31086 and Idaho Code 61-302 by failing to maintain adequate
service. The Company should respond to Ms. Drake's Complaint and all claims made
therein, and provide any necessary additional information to the Commission.
Sincerely,
Diane M. Hanian
Commission SecretaryHere
Postmark
lsrael Ray, President/Treasurer
Atlanta Power CompanY
7LL4O Chicken Dinner Road
Caldwell, ldaho 83607
472 West Washington Street, Boise lD 83702
Telephone: (208) 334-0300 Facsimile: (208) 334-3762
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rsgCIAL IOF
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
MARY E. DRAKE,
COMPLAINANT,SUMMONS
CASE NO. ATL-E-IS.OI
ATLANTA POWER COMPANY,
RESPONDENT.
THE STATE OF IDAHO SENDS GREETINGS TO THE ABOVE.NAMED RESPONDENT.
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that a Complaint has been filed with the Idaho
Public Utilities Commission by the above-named Complainant;and
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has opened a concurrent
Staff investigation into service reliability, maintenance and operations, and customer relations of
Atlanta Power Company;
YOU ARE HEREBY DIRECTED to file a written answer or written motion in
delense of the Complaint within twenty-one (21) days of the service date of this Summons; and
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that unless you do so u,ithin the time herein
specified, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission may take such action against you as is prayed
for in the Complaint or as it deems appropriate under Title 6l of the ldaho Code.
WITNESS my hand and the seal of the Idaho Public Utilities Commissionthis 4a*
day of February 2018.
Diane M. Hanian
Commission Secretary
(sEAL)
SUMMONS
t:r"Legal'€LECTRIC'ATL-E- l 8-01 IATLE I 801_Summons_bk doc
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