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IDAHO
PUBLIC
UTILITIES
COMMISSION
STRATEGIC PLAN
Revised July 1, 2009
Our mission:
• Determine fair, just and reasonable rates and utility practices for
electric, gas, telephone and water consumers.
• Ensure that delivery of utility services is safe, reliable and efficient.
• Ensure safe operation of pipelines and rail carriers within the state.
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INTRODUCTION
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission was established by the 12th session of the Idaho
Legislature and was organized on May 8, 1913. The Commission’s statutory authorities are set
out in Idaho Code, Titles 61 and 62.
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The Commission oversees the intrastate operation of investor-owned electric, gas, water, and
telecommunications utilities. The Commission does not regulate publicly owned, municipal or
cooperative utilities. The Commission also does not regulate cable TV companies, cellular
telecommunication carriers or paging companies.
For much of the last 90 years, public utility regulation has been based on the theory of a
“regulatory compact” between utilities and regulators: In return for an exclusive franchise
granted by regulators, utilities agree to serve all those requesting service; and in return for
agreeing to invest capital in plant and facilities, utilities are given a reasonable opportunity to
earn a fair return on that capital. Changes in law and technology are dramatically affecting the
industries we regulate, opening the door to more competitors and enabling the establishment of
more competitive markets.
The Commission also oversees rail and pipeline safety programs.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission serves the citizens and utilities of Idaho by ensuring
that the rates and policies established for utility services are fair, just and reasonable, utility
services are delivered safely, reliably, and efficiently, and pipelines and rail carriers operate
safely within the state.
STRATEGIC PLAN
VISION: The Commission will implement regulatory actions that stimulate excellence in
aligning private business behavior in the Idaho utility sector with the public interest. These
regulatory actions will reflect public input, changes in law, technology and market
environments. The Commission envisions itself as a proactive, positive leader in establishing
performance standards for regulated Idaho utilities and in exercising oversight of the
implementation of these standards.
ADMINISTRATION DIVISION
Program Goal:
The Administration Division is responsible for managing and coordinating the administrative
activities of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC) efficiently and effectively. The
Administration Division manages all information received, handled or published by the IPUC;
it informs the public of its actions and decisions; it maintains a Website with an electronic
database of commission cases and other information; it provides fiscal, personnel, information
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technology, and administrative support services to the Commission as a whole; and it supports
the Legislative and Executive branches with analysis and information on utility, pipeline and
railroad matters.
Program Objective 1 - Manage and coordinate the administrative activities of the Idaho
Public Utilities Commission efficiently and effectively as well as facilitate the efficient
management of cases being considered by the Commission.
Annual Performance Measures:
Number of cases older than a year that are closed during the fiscal year.
Annual Performance Targets:
Close 20% of all cases older than one year.
External Factors:
The Commission has no control over the number of cases filed. While it makes every effort to
close all cases in a timely manner, the judicial process requires adequate time for public
comment, discovery, investigation, presenting evidence, and deliberation.
UTILITIES DIVISION
Program Goal: Ensure that the citizens of Idaho are charged just and reasonable rates for
utility commodities and that utility services are delivered safely, reliably and efficiently.
Program Objective 1 – Perform audits and investigations of utilities for compliance with
commission orders and regulations.
Annual Performance Measures:
Number of comprehensive audits completed.
Number of utility annual reports reviewed.
Annual Performance Target:
Conduct seven comprehensive audits of utilities.
Conduct 20 annual report reviews of utilities.
External Factors:
The Commission has no control over the number of rate cases filed in a fiscal year. Funding
and manpower limits the number of audits. The availability of qualified auditors, engineers and
economists to fill personnel vacancies impacts operations. Reviews may produce results
requiring increased time and resources to resolve.
Program Objective 2 – Investigate and resolve complaints and respond to inquiries regarding
regulated utilities.
Annual Performance Measures:
Number of formal complaints received by Commission.
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Number of informal complaints received by Commission.
Number of inquiries received by Commission.
Average number of days needed to respond to inquiries and resolve informal complaints.
Annual Performance Target:
Respond to inquiries and resolve informal complaints within an average of 10 business days.
External Factors:
The Commission has no control over the number of inquiries or complaints received in a fiscal
year. Funding for resources limits the number of investigators to handle inquiries and
complaints.
PIPELINE SAFETY SECTION
Program Goal - Serve the citizens of Idaho by ensuring that all jurisdictional gas system
operators operate safely through compliance with federal and state safety regulations.
Program Objective 1 – Conduct on-site visits of gas system operators’ facilities and conduct
audits and inspections to ensure compliance with state and federal pipeline safety regulations.
Annual Performance Measures:
Number of inspection units audited.
Number of inspection days completed.
Annual Performance Targets:
12 inspection units audited.
119 inspection days conducted.
External Factors:
Availability of funds, weather, operator schedules, etc.
RAIL SECTION
Program Goal - Serve the citizens of Idaho by ensuring that carriers comply with state and
federal safety regulations regarding crossings, clearances and the carriage of hazardous
materials. The Commission will also determine whether or not it is in the public interest to
represent the state in various rail line abandonment cases before the Surface Transportation
Board.
Program Objective 1 - Inspect rail crossings and clearances for compliance with rules and
regulations based on complaints, accident investigations and scheduled inspections.
Annual Performance Measures:
Number of rail crossings and clearances inspected based on complaints, applications, accidents
and scheduled inspections.
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Annual Performance Targets:
Inspect 100 rail crossings and clearances.
Investigate all rail crossing maintenance complaints within 30 days.
External Factors:
Number of complaints, number of accidents, availability of funds, weather, operator schedules,
etc.
Program Objective 2 - Ensure the safe transportation of hazardous materials shipped by rail
by monitoring compliance with state and federal regulations by carriers and shippers; make
educational contacts to assist railroads and shippers in understanding hazardous materials
regulations; inspect railroad equipment and hazardous materials packaging to ensure
compliance with state and federal requirements; process any deficiencies or violations found.
Annual Performance Measures:
Number of rail HAZMAT inspections.
Annual Performance Targets:
Conduct 125 HAZMAT inspections.
Conduct 12 educational visits.
External Factors:
Availability of funds, weather, operator schedules, etc.
Program Objective 3 - If investigation and the evidence provide justification, represent the
State of Idaho in rail line abandonments before the Surface Transportation Board and, if
necessary, the appeals court.
Annual Performance Measures:
Number of abandonments investigated.
Annual Performance Targets:
Investigate 100 percent of proposed abandonments.
Participate in all cases before the Surface Transportation Board when it is found to be in the
public interest.
External Factors:
Availability of funds, number of abandonment filings from railroads, and number of
complaints received by commission.