170609Decision Memo.pdf

RE:
DECISION MEMORANDI'M
TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER RAPER
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSION SECRETARY
LEGAL
WORKINC FILE
FROM: JOHNATHAN trARLEY
DATE: JUNE 7,20fi
ERIC CONRAD V.INTERMOIJNTAIN GAS COMPAT{Y
cAsE NO.IN}G-15-01
BACKGROI.,tND
In December 2015, Eric Conrad filed a formal complaint with the Commission against
Intermountain Cas Company (lOC). During the process of building a new home near Idaho
Falts, IGC required Mr. Conrad to install a meter protection stnrcture at this own expense before
the utility would "set" the meter and provide natural gas service. The initial structure built by
Mr. Conrad was unsatisfactory to IGC and he had to install another protection structure.
On February 1,2016, the Commission issued a Summons to IGC, directing the Company
to file a response to Mr. Conrad's complaint. The Company filed its Answer on February 19,
20L6. On March 7,2016,the Commission Stafffiled comments in response to IOC's Answer,
and IGC filed its response to StafPs comments on March 21,2016.
In OrderNo. 33524, issued on May 17,2016, the Commission ordered the Company to
work with Commission Staffto develop written material regarding the proper placement of
meter sets and the design of struetures to protect meters and other facilities. In addition to the
developrnent of written materials, the Commission ordered the Company to make the new
materials publicly available on its website and othenpise disseminate the information to
developers, builders, and contractors). The Commission also ordered IGC to advise all of its
customer service representatives of the new materials. See Order at 8. Since the Order was
issued, the Company and Commission Staffhave had several meetings to discuss standards,
DECISION MEMORANDUM JUNE 7,2017
procedures and implementation plans. In May 2017, Staffdid its final review of unitten
documents and IGC's training and communication plan.
Meter Placement and Protection
The Company with the aid of Staffdeveloped written materials outlining the proper
placement of meter sets. [n addition to the proper placement of meter sets, the Company has
developed criteria for protecting meter sets in areas with heavy snow load. The Company's new
materials include meter placement standards, designation of areas considered to be heavy snow
load locales, and design of acceptable protective structures.
Training & Public Outreach
The Company has implemented a training and communications plan in order to train
Company personnel and disseminate the Company's new standards to the public. According to
the Company, an "all hands on deck" conference sall Bnd WebEx training was held on May 24,
2017. The training was attended by customer service representatives, District managers,
engineering associates, service technicians and affected general office staff. The purpose ofthe
training was to inform personnet of the Company's policy and procedures with respect to meter
placement and protection. The Company claims that new employees will receive this lraining as
part of their initial training and existing employees will receive training covering this material
annually.
The Company has developed a bifirrcated outreach strategy. The first piece of
Company's outreach strategy was development of a brochure outlining the meter location
standards and meter protection requirements in areas identified as having heavy snow load
(Attachment l). The Company indicated that it mailed this brochure to designated stakeholders,
including developers, builders, and contractors, on May l, 2017. IGC intends to distribute the
brochure twice a year as part of an ongoing outreach program. In addition to a semi-annual
mailer, the brochure is available in electronic format on the Company's website and in hardcopy
at the Company's field offices.
The second piece of the Company's outreach strategy was to include information on its
website. The Company has updated its website to include pages pertaining to the criteria for
placing and protecting meters as well as links to the brochure, diagrams, maps of affected areas,
2DECISION MEMORANDUM JTJNE 7,?OI7
and engineering design requirements. All materials provided to Commission Staffhave been
placed in the INT-G-16-01 case file.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staffhas reviewed all of the Company's submitted materials and believes they provide
the requisite information to customers, stakeholders, the general public and Company personnel
in compliance rvith Commission OrderNo. 33524. Staffrccommends that the Commission
accept IGC's compliance filing.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to accept the compliance filing of Intermountain Gas
Company?
Udmcmos/int-g-16-0 I dec mcmo
3DECISION MEMORANDUM JUNE 7,2017
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