20210614Petition.pdf

jPU E-2- 2-?-
ldaho Publlc Utllltles Commission
Otlice of the Secretary
RECEIVED
JUN I 4 2021
Boise, ldaho
According to the Strategic Plan It/ission Statement by ldaho Public Utilities Commission,
this Title 2 Public Entity is committed to 'fair, just and reasonable' utility practices for
consumers. Additionally the IPUC prioritizes safety and reliability for customers.
As a title 2 entity, the IPUC is required to comply with Federal ADA Requirements.
Additionally the Utilities under the oversight of the IPUC are required to comply with
Federal ADA Requirements. Therefore, determination of fair and just utility practices woulr
apply equally to adults with disabilities. u.
lanr petitioning the Commission according to rule 33 IDAPA 31.01.01 - Rules of Procedure
of the ldaho Public Utilities Commission to recognize the right of disabled adults to equalll
access the IPUC according to Federal ADA Requirements and to identify that Public
Utilities that exclude customers on the basis of Disability are in violation of Federal ADA
requirements for title 2 entities.
lf the IPUC operates under the premise of safeguarding the public, surely protecting
vulnerable and disabled adults from being excluded from accessing Public Utilities on the
basis of disability would be a priority. ldaho Utilities at present fail comply with Federal
ADA requirements protecting equal access to public utilities. This violates fair, just and
reasonable practices for a disadvantaged mirrority group leading to potentially dangerous
and discriminatory practices against vulnerable adr-rlts,
Additionally the PUC itself has not complied with ADA requirements for accessibility.
However, I was impressed by the willingness of PUC employees to make a significant
:ffort to accommodate me. I withdraw my Tort Claim in favor of ongoing inforrnal
Ciscrission relating to ADA compliance. Nly objective is not litigation or financial gain, but
eqiral access according to Federal Lariv, for myself and other ldaho residents - especially
lhose of us with severe disabilities choosing, as is our legal right, to live in a fullv
ntegrated community setting. Lack of ADA compliance by Public Utilities has created a
significant barrier to community integration for me over a 9 year period. This extreme
iength of tinre is the result of the lack of an accessible complaint process by both Public
Utilities and the PUC neither of which provide accessible information regarding a
complaint process or an effective ADA grievance process, as required by Federal ADA
Regulation, to accommodate the access and communication needs of disabled ldaho
Residents.
I respectfully request the Commission review my petition and complaints and take a stanr
in favor of compliance with Federal ADA Requirements protecting disabled adults from
discrimination by Public Government Entities on the basis of Disability. I implore you to
implement an accessible complaint procedure and enforce compliance with Federal
Regulations for Public Utilities under your authority. And I support these measures by
freely offering information to the Commission from the perspective of a disabled adult
who has struggled in ldaho for g years to access Purblic Utilities because of lack of ADA
compliance by ldaho Power and lntermountain Gas.
Thank you for your consideration. Please grant me the necessary accommodations to
receive a response, communicate 'effectively' with the IPUC, and equally participate in a
complaint process to be able to access and communicate with ldaho Power who at
present has failed to comply with Federal Requirements for equal access.
Respectf ully Submitted,
Karen Erickson
June 14,2021