20151028notice_of_application_order_no_33406.pdf

Office ofthe Secretary
Service Date
October28.2015
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF INTERMOUNTAIN )
GAS COMPANY’S APPLICATION FOR AN )CASE NO.INT-G-15-03
ACCOUNTING ORDER REGARDING THE )
TREATMENT OF CERTAIN REGULATORY )NOTICE OF APPLICATION
EXPENSES.)
)NOTICE OF
)MODIFIED PROCEDURE
)
_______________________________
)ORDER NO.33406
On October 9,201 5,Intermountain Gas Company applied for an accounting order
authorizing it to defer and record,as a regulatory asset,expenses it incurs to prepare for and
present its next general rate case.The Company is not asking the Commission to guarantee that
the Company ultimately will recover these costs;the Company simply proposes an accounting
treatment that would let the Company track those costs and then argue for their recovery at a
later date when it seeks a rate increase.The Company asks that the Commission process the case
b Modified Procedure,with the proposed accounting treatment to be effective as of November
1,2015.’
With this Order,the Commission provides notice of the Application,and invites
interested persons to submit written comments.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that in its Application,the Company explains that it
has not filed a general rate case since 1985 (see Case No.U-l034-l22).The Company states,
however,that it expects to file a general rate case in the next 12 months.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company states that it lacks the necessary
staff to prepare and present the expected rate case,and that it will thus need to retain outside
consultants.The Company thus seeks an accounting order allowing it to record its consultant
This Application requests an accounting order and not changes to rates or rules.Thus,suspension of the proposed
November 1,2015 effective date under Rule 123 of the Commission’s Rules of Procedure does not apply,even
though the Commission’s order may issue after that date.See IDAPA 31.01.01.123 (Proposed Changes to Rates or
Rules —Effective Date —Notice of Application —Suspension).If the Commission’s order issues after the proposed
November 1,201 5 effective date,the order can still approve the proposed accounting treatment,if appropriate,
effective as of November 1,2015.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.33406 1
related expenses as a regulatory asset so it will have the opportunity to ask the Commission to let
it recover those expenses in the future.As noted above,while the Company is asking to track
those expenses for possible future recovery,the Company’s Application does not seek to recover
those expenses,or increase rates,at this time.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application and its exhibits have been
filed with the Commission and are available for public inspection during regular business hours
at the Commission offices.These documents are also available on the Commission’s web site at
Click on the “File Room”tab at the top of the page,scroll down to
“Natural Gas Cases,”and click on the case number as shown on the front of this document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held
pursuant to the Commission’s jurisdiction under Title 61 of the Idaho Code and specifically
Idaho Code §61-501 and -524.The Commission may enter any final Order consistent with its
authority under Title 61.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be
conducted pursuant to the Commission’s Rules of Procedure,IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined that the
public interest may not require a formal hearing in this matter,and that it will proceed under
Modified Procedure pursuant to Rules 201 through 204 of the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission’s Rules of Procedure.See IDAPA 3 1.01.01.201 through .204.The Commission
notes that Modified Procedure and written comments have proven to be an effective means for
obtaining public input and participation.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that any person desiring to state a position on the
Company’s Application may file a written comment in support or opposition with the
Commission no later than November 17,2015.The comment must contain a statement of
reasons supporting the comment.Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing
in their written comments.Written comments concerning the Application shall be mailed to the
Commission and the Company at the addresses reflected below:
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.33406 2
Commission Secretary Michael P.McGrath
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Director —Regulatory Affairs
P0 Box 83720 Intermountain Gas Company
Boise.ID 83720-0074 P0 Box 7608
Boise,ID 83707
Street Address for Express Mail:
Ronald L.Williams
472 W.Washington Street Williams Bradbury PC
Boise,ID 83702-5918 1015 W.Hays St
Boise,Idaho 83702
These comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this
document.Persons desiring to submit comments via e-mail may do so by accessing the
Commission’s home page located at www.puc,idaho.gov.Scroll to the “Consumers”tab,click
the “Utility Case Comment or Question Form,”and complete the form using the case number as
it appears on the front of this document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company shall file reply comments,if
necessary,no later than November 24,2015.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are
received within the time limit set,the Commission will consider this matter on its merits and
enter its Order without a formal hearing.If written comments are received within the time limit
set,the Commission will consider them and,in its discretion,may set the same for formal
hearing.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this case be processed under Modified Procedure.
Interested persons may file written comments no later than November 17,2015.The Company
may file a reply,if any,no later than November 24,2015.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.33406 3
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this 7
day of October 2015.
ATTEST:
MARSHA H.SMITH,COMMISSIONER
p
mmission ecretary
O:1NT-G15-O3kk
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.33406 4