HomeMy WebLinkAbout20020325-min.docMINUTES OF DECISION MEETING
MARCH 25, 2002 – 1:30 PM
In attendance were Commissioners Paul Kjellander, Dennis Hansen, and Marsha Smith.
Commissioner Kjellander called the meeting to order. The first order of business was approval of items 1—11 on the CONSENT AGENDA. There were no questions or comments and Commissioner Kjellander moved for approval of items 1—11. A vote was taken and the motion carried unanimously.
The next order of business was MATTERS IN PROGRESS:
Lisa Nordstrom’s March 22, 2002 Decision Memorandum re: In the Matter of the Application of Idaho Power Company for an Energy Cost Financing Order and Authority to Institute an Energy Cost Bond Charge. Case No. IPC-E-02-02.
Ms. Nordstrom reviewed her Decision Memorandum. Commissioner Hansen commented that the numbers are big with a far reaching effect on the ratepayers. He said the ratepayers need to have a good understanding of this proposal and what it means to them, the effect of stretching it out for three years versus paying now, and what the total finance charges will mean to the customer over the three years. He stated he felt strongly that we need to make sure the public understands, and the only way to do that is to set up some workshops and public hearings to give people a change to testify. He said for that reason he supported extending the deadline and setting up workshops and hearings in the next couple of weeks.
Commissioner Smith stated that she didn’t see any way to do this one on modified procedure, so we needed to schedule the hearings and workshops. She said she also had a question she wanted the parties to address in the order relating to the threshold amount that must be met before the company can file. She asked if the threshold amount had to be bonded or could the amount that the Commission approves for bonding be any amount above or below the threshold.
Commissioner Kjellander said the Commission seemed to be in agreement that we need to extend the time frame and it sounded as if the company was willing to do that by two weeks. He asked if it would be appropriate to put something in writing with the company to confirm the extension. Ms. Nordstrom replied that they could do that. Commissioner Kjellander made a motion to move forward in processing the case, establishing the hearings and workshops and extending the period as outlined in the memo. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.
Lisa Nordstrom’s March 22, 2002 Decision Memorandum re: In the Matter of the Application of Vartec Telecom, Inc. for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to Provide Local Exchange Telecommunications Services. Case No. GNR-T-01-20.
Ms. Nordstrom reviewed her Decision Memorandum. Commissioner Kjellander made a motion to postpone making a decision on Vartec’s application pending receipt of the additional information staff has requested and to direct Vartec to respond to Staff’s production request within 21 days, allowing an additional comment period for the parties to respond. He said if the company doesn’t respond within 21 days, a final decision can be made at that point. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.
Commissioner Kjellander then adjourned the meeting.
DATED this _____ day of March, 2002.
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COMMISSION SECRETARY