20161114notice_of_schedule_order_no_33648.pdf

.1 Office of the Secretary
Service Date
November 14, 2016
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF INTERMOUNTAIN GAS COMPANY TO
CHANGEITSRATESANDCHARGESFOR
NATURAL GAS SERVICE IN THE STATE
OF IDAHO
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)
) CASE NO. INT-G-16-02
)
) NOTICE OF SCHEDULE
)
) NOTICEOF
) PUBLIC WORKSHOP
)
) NOTICEOF
) TECHNICAL HEARING
)
) ORDER NO. 33648
On August 12, 2016, Intermountain Gas Company applied to the Commission for
authority to increase its rates and charges for natural gas service by $10.2 million (4.06%). The
Company requested a September 12, 2016 effective date. The Commission subsequently issued
a Notice of Application and Notice of Intervention Deadline, and suspended the proposed
effective date for 30 days plus 5 months under Idaho Code § 61-622(4). The Commission also
directed the Company, Staff, and intervening parties to confer about a proposed schedule. See
Order No. 33593.
The following parties have intervened in the case: Community Action Partnership
Association of Idaho; Northwest Industrial Gas Users; Idaho Conservation League and NW
Energy Coalition; the Amalgamated Sugar Co. LLC; Snake River Alliance; and Federal
Executive Agencies. As directed, the Commission Staff, the Company, and the intervenors have
conferred about and agreed on a schedule by which to process this case, and the Staff filed that
proposed schedule with the Commission.
With this Order, we adopt the proposed schedule except as noted below, and suspend
the Company's proposed effective date for an additional 60 days. We also provide notice of a
public informational workshop on the Company's Application, and of a technical hearing at
which the parties' witnesses may testify.
NOTICE OF SCHEDULE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
NOTICE OF TECHNICAL HEARING
ORDER NO. 33648
•'
NOTICE OF SCHEDULE
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Commission adopts the following schedule
as proposed by the parties:
DATE
December 16, 2016
February 15, 2017
March 1-2, 2017
April 1, 2017
ACTIVITY
Staff and lntervenors prefile direct testimony
All party rebuttal filing
Technical Hearing
Intermountain implements new rates
The parties also proposed that we set a March 24, 2017 "target" date by which to
issue the final Order in this case. We decline to adopt a "target" date for the final Order as part
of the schedule.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission previously suspended the
proposed effective date of the Company's rates until March 12, 2017. See Order No. 33593.
Because the new schedule contemplates that the technical hearing will not occur until early
March, we find it likely that the final Order in this case would issue after the current suspension
period ends. Accordingly, we find good cause to extend the suspension period for an additional
60 days, through May 11, 2017, to afford the parties and Commission sufficient time to analyze
and complete the case. See Idaho Code § 61-622(4) (allowing additional suspension upon a
finding of good cause).
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all testimony and exhibits filed in this case
must conform to the Commission's Rules of Procedure (IDAPA 31.01.01 ), including Rules 230,
231, and 267.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission will conduct a telephonic
and on-line workshop for customers of lntermountain Gas on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at
7:00 p.m. (MST). The workshop will permit customers to call in on a toll-free line or access the
workshop on-line. To call in, dial toll-free [phone] and, when prompted, enter the
Participant Code 4435939. To access the workshop on-line, go to our website at
www.puc.idaho.!WV for log in information anytime between Monday, November 28 and the start
NOTICE OF SCHEDULE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
NOTICE OF TECHNICAL HEARING
ORDER NO. 33648 2
of the December 6 workshop. A copy of the Staffs presentation for the workshop will be posted
on the Commission's website. The telephonic and on-line workshop is designed to facilitate a
more convenient and inclusive public participation process for customers across Intermountain
Gas's southern Idaho territory. However, persons desiring to attend an in-person workshop can
request one for the Commission's consideration.
At the workshop, the Commission's Staff will summarize the Company's Application
and answer questions about it. The Staff will not take any position on the merits of the
Company's Application, however, because Staff will still be evaluating it when the workshop
occurs. After the workshop, the Commission's Staff will file written comments or testimony to
address the merits of the case. Staff will have taken into consideration any concerns that may
have been raised at the workshop when preparing these remarks.
NOTICE OF TECHNICAL HEARING
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission will conduct a technical
hearing in this case. The purpose of the technical hearing is to take testimony from the parties
(the Company, Staff, and any intervenors). The technical hearing shall convene at 9:30 a.m.
{MST) Wednesday, March 1, 2017 in the Commission's Hearing Room at 472 West
Washington Street, Boise, Idaho, and shall continue as necessary through Thursday,
March 2, 2017.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that, besides a technical hearing, the Commission
also may schedule one or more public hearings for customers who wish to testify in this case. If a
customer hearing is scheduled, a Notice of Customer Hearing will issue at a later date that will
explain how customers may participate in the hearing.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all workshops and hearings in this matter will
be held in facilities meeting the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA). Persons needing the help of a sign language interpreter or other assistance in order to
participate in or to understand testimony and argument at a public hearing may ask the
Commission to provide a sign language interpreter or other assistance at the hearing. The
request for assistance must be received at least five (5) working days before the hearing by
contacting the Commission Secretary at:
NOTICE OF SCHEDULE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
NOTICE OF TECHNICAL HEARING
ORDER NO. 33648 3
·'
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
[phone] (Telephone)
[phone] (FAX)
E-Mail: [e-mail]
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.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the above-referenced schedule is adopted, and the
Company's proposed effective date is suspended for an additional 60 days, through May 11,
2017, unless the Commission issues an earlier Order accepting, rejecting, or modifying the
Company's Application. See Idaho Code § 61-622(4) (allowing additional suspension upon a
finding of good cause).
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this / L/--t~
day of November 2016.
ATTEST:
D. JeweH
ission Secretary
O:INT-G-16-02_kk3_Scheduling
NOTICE OF SCHEDULE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
NOTICE OF TECHNICAL HEARING
ER, PRESIDENT
TINE RAPER,CO MISSIONER
c:J
ERIC ANDERSON, COMMISSIONER
ORDER NO. 33648 4