HomeMy WebLinkAbout20151116_4829.pdfDECISION MEMORANDUM 1
DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO: COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER SMITH
COMMISSIONER RAPER
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
FROM: DON HOWELL
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE: NOVEMBER 12, 2015
SUBJECT: UPDATING THE COMMISSION’S UTILITY SAFETY AND ACCIDENT
REPORTING RULES, IDAPA DOCKET NO. 31-1101-1501
On October 7, 2015, the Commission caused to be published in the Idaho
Administrative Bulletin a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the purpose of updating its Utility
Safety and Accident Reporting Rules (IDAPA 31.11.01). The Commission proposed to update
its Safety Rules by incorporating the most recent editions to the national safety codes applicable
to electric and natural gas utilities, and adopting federal safety regulations applicable to natural
gas and pipeline utilities. In its rulemaking, the Commission proposed to adopt applicable parts
of the 2015 edition of the International Mechanical Code (Rule 203), and applicable parts of the
2015 edition of the International Fuel Gas Code (Rule 202). In addition, the Commission
proposed to adopt the October 1, 2014 edition of the federal pipeline safety regulations found in
the Code of Federal Regulations in Parts 191-93, 195, 199, and Part 260.9. The Notice is
attached for your review.
The Notice required that interested persons file written comments no later than
October 28, 2015. The Commission did not receive any written comments. The Commission
received two letters from the Legislative Services Office (LSO). The first letter indicated that
LSO considered the proposed rulemaking within the Commission’s authority. The second letter
indicated that the Senate and House Subcommittees for review of administrative rules have no
objections to the proposed rule. Consequently, Staff recommends that the Commission adopt its
proposed rules as pending rules and submit these rules for legislative review in 2016.
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to adopt the proposed rules as its pending rules? Does
the Commission desire to publish its Notice of Pending Rule in the January 6, 2016 edition of the
Administrative Bulletin and submit the pending rule for legislative review in 2016?
Don Howell
Don Howell
Deputy Attorney General
bls/N:31-1101-1501_Decision Memo_dh2