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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20240311Notice_of_Application_Order_No_36112.pdf NOTICE OF APPLICATION NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE ORDER NO. 36112 1 Office of the Secretary Service Date March 11, 2024 BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF RIVERSIDE ELECTRIC COMPANY, LIMITED AND CITY OF RUPERT FOR AN ORDER APPROVING A SERVICE TERRITORY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE APPLICANTS ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) CASE NO. C12-E-24-02 NOTICE OF APPLICATION NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE ORDER NO. 36112 On February 2, 2024, Riverside Electric Company, Limited (“Riverside”) and City of Rupert (“Rupert”) filed an application with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”) for approval of a Service Territory Agreement (“Agreement”) between Riverside and Rupert. BACKGROUND The ESSA prohibits an electric supplier (e.g., a utility, municipality, or co-op) from serving another electric supplier’s existing or former customers. Idaho Code § 61-332B. Section 61-332(2) provides that the purposes of the ESSA are to: (1) promote harmony between electric suppliers; (2) prohibit the “pirating” of consumers; (3) discourage duplication of electric facilities; (4) actively supervise the conduct of electric suppliers; and (5) stabilize service territories and consumers. The ESSA enables electric utilities to allocate territories and customers if certain conditions are satisfied. The ESSA allows electric suppliers to contract for the purpose of “allocating territories, consumers, and future consumers . . . and designating which territories and consumers are to be served by which contracting electric supplier.” Idaho Code § 61-333(1). Such contracts must be submitted to the Commission for approval. Id. The Commission will approve contracts reviewed under the ESSA if, after notice and opportunity for hearing, the Commission finds that the agreement conforms with the purposes of the ESSA. See Idaho Code §§ 61-333(1) and 61-334B(1). NOTICE OF APPLICATION YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Parties represent that the Parties have for some time had a territory agreement between them. Application at 2. The Parties state that such agreement predates the amendment to Idaho Code § 61-333 that requires Commission approval of territory agreements; therefore, the Parties seek Commission approval of a written memorialization NOTICE OF APPLICATION NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE ORDER NO. 36112 2 of the existing territory agreement. Id. The parties included a copy of the Agreement attached as Exhibit 1 to the Application. Id. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Parties represent that the Agreement was negotiated between the Parties in order to settle a service territory between the parties, provide for stability of service with consumers, to eliminate duplicating of services and to provide safety in the respective territories. Id. The Parties state that they believe the agreement is in the best interest of both entities and the customers of both entities. Id. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application is available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission’s office. The Application is also available on the Commission’s website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on the “ELECTRIC” icon, select “Open Cases,” and click on the case number as shown on the front of this document. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held pursuant to the Commission’s jurisdiction under Title 61 of the Idaho Code, and that all proceedings in this matter will be conducted pursuant to the Commission’s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq. NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined that the public interest may not require a formal hearing in this matter, and that it will proceed under Modified Procedure pursuant to the Commission’s Rules of Procedure 201-204, IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204. The Commission notes that Modified Procedure and written comments have proven to be an effective means for obtaining public input and participation. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons desiring to state a position on this Application may file a written comment explaining why the person supports or opposes the Application. Persons who would like a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written comments and explain why written comments alone are insufficient. Persons interested in filing written comments must do so by April 24, 2024. Comments must be filed through the Commission’s website or by e-mail unless computer access is unavailable. To comment electronically, please access the Commission’s website at http://www.puc.idaho.gov/. Click the “Case Comment Form” and complete the form using the case number as it appears on the front of this document. NOTICE OF APPLICATION NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE ORDER NO. 36112 3 To file by e-mail, persons must e-mail the comments to the Commission Secretary and all parties at the e-mail addresses listed below. Persons submitting a comment by e-mail must provide their name, address, and the Case Number under which they are commenting. Persons submitting a comment by e-mail also acknowledge that submitting a comment in an open case constitutes a public record under Idaho Code § 74-101(13), and all information provided by such person is available for public and media inspection. If computer access is unavailable, then comments may be mailed to the Commission and the Parties at the addresses below. Persons submitting a comment by mail must provide their name, address, and the Case Number under which they are commenting. Persons submitting a comment by mail also acknowledge that submitting a comment in an open case constitutes a public record under Idaho Code § 74-101(13), and all information provided by such person is available for public and media inspection. For the Idaho Public Utilities Commission: Commission Secretary Idaho Public Utilities Commission P.O. Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0074 secretary@puc.idaho.gov Street Address for Express Mail: 11331 W. Chinden Blvd. Building 8, Suite 201-A Boise, ID 83714 For Riverside: Alan Goodman 717 7th Street P.O. Box D Rupert, ID 83350 For Rupert: Lance D. Stevenson 715 6th Street Rupert, ID 83350 YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Parties must file any reply comments by May 8, 2024. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are received within the time limit set, the Commission will consider this matter on its merits and enter its final order without a formal hearing. If written comments are received within the time limit set, the Commission will consider them and, in its discretion, may set the same for formal hearing. NOTICE OF APPLICATION NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE ORDER NO. 36112 4 ORDER IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Application be processed by Modified Procedure, Rules 201-204 (IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204). Persons interested in filing written comments must do so by April 24, 2024. The Parties must file any reply comments by May 8, 2024. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that parties comply with Order No. 35375, issued April 21, 2022. Generally, all pleadings should be filed with the Commission electronically and will be deemed timely filed when received by the Commission Secretary. See Rule 14.02. Service between parties should continue to be accomplished electronically when possible. However, voluminous discovery-related documents may be filed and served on CD-ROM or a USB flash drive. DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 11th day of March 2024. __________________________________________ ERIC ANDERSON, PRESIDENT __________________________________________ JOHN R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER __________________________________________ EDWARD LODGE, COMMISSIONER ATTEST: Monica Barrios-Sanchez Commission Secretary I:\Legal\ELECTRIC\C12-E-24-02\orders\C12E2402_Ntc_App_Mod_cb.docx