20030623Comments.pdf

fZECl::IVE8MAG Small Engine RepaHtED
Shop: 4115 Adams, Garden City, ID ~~~~~20 AM 8: 28Mail: 2332 N. 22nd St., Boise, ID 83702
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UTlLlT1ES C0!'1i'1!SS!ON
June 19 2003
Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, ill 83720-0074
Gentlemen:
Reference: Intermountain Gas Company Price Rate Increase
I realize these comments may be too late, but I would like to have the satisfaction of offering
them anyway. For whatever reason, we were unaware of the proposed rate hike, until we heard
about the lack of interest on the television news.
We operate a small business in Garden City, Idaho, and have rented three separate units in past
years, adding another in 2003, for a total of four units. We started renting in 1997 and have
experienced one hefty natural gas rate increase. Our heating bills impact our business because
we are seasonal and have little income during the winter months.
We take advantage of paying our utility bills by having the payments automatically deducted
from our checking account. Idaho Power sends our copies of the billings in one envelope to our
mailing address, with no envelopes for return. Intermountain Gas sends four separate billings in
four separate envelopes. They no longer send envelopes for return, but at one time they did.
What stimulated this letter is the four separate letters, in four separate envelopes, to the same
address, that I received yesterday from Intermountain Gas, advising us about their new
Automated Meter Reading (AMR) system. I am sure this new system will save them money in
the long run, but, as with all new electronic systems, they probably spent a large amount to buy
it.
How much money and how many trees could Intermountain Gas save, if they would review their
paperwork procedures? How many other antiquated practices do they have that they could
change to save money and resources?
Sincerely,
~ng, Partner .
Jean JewellFrom:Sent:To:Subject:Ed HowellSunday, June 22 2003 9:12 PMJean Jewell; Ed Howell; Gene Fadness; Tonya ClarkComment acknowledgementWWW Form Submission:Sunday, June 22 , 20038 : 12 : 14 Case: INT-G-03-Name: DONNA R. PUT Street Address: 426 West Linden StreetCi ty: BoiseState: IdahoZIP: 83706HomeTelephone: 208-343-4590E-Mail: NACompany: INTERMOUNTAIN GAS COMPANYmailinglist _yes _no: yesCommentdescription: I m sure it is too late to comment , but I haveuse only a gas furnace , and a rate increase of is terrible. Ifpurchases suddenly went up , we would all be filing bankruptcy.been out of town. Ieverything a consumerI disagree wi th the comment that electrici ty will still be 35 to more. I had electricheat and swi tched to gas just a few years ago. Wi th this gas increase my electric heatwould have been about the same as gas. In fact the gas company said it should cost meabout half. I am extremely disappointed.When the gas company says they "expect another down cycle to occur but it is uncertain
to whether this will occur before next winter " why not use a win-win situation. Instead
of going up the percentages listed , gi ve the consumer the benefi t of the doubt and cut
those percentages in half.
d also like to know if this new amount is collected beginning July 1st , if IGC will
refund this extra collection if the down cycle occurs. I f not , and they only ask the PUC
for an adj ustment it should be large enough to cover what didn t need to be collected in
the first place.
Transaction ID: 6222012.
Referred by: http: / /www. puc. s tate. id. us scripts /polyform. dll/ ipuc
Use r Add res s: 6 7 . 3 1 . 1 7 8 . 1 0 9
Us e r Ho s tname: 67. 31 . 178 . 109