20021126.pdf

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O D E N T 0 F
HEALTH WELFARE
DIRK KEMPTHORNE - Governor
KARL B. KURTZ - Director
R. Scott Cunningham - Administrator
STATEWIDE SELF RELIANCE PROGRAMS
450 West State Street, 2nd Floor
O. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0036
PHONE [phone]
FAX [phone]
November 21,2002
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
O. Box 83720
Boise , Idaho 83720-0074
RE:Comment on Case No. GNR-02-1. Order No. 29145
Dear Commissioners Kjellander, Smith and Hansen:
The Bureau of Benefit Program Operations within the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) has
reviewed Case No. GNR-02-, Notice of Modified Procedure , Order No. 29145, to implement a two-
year pilot Winter Protection Program that establishes minimum monthly payments during the winter
moratorium (December - February). DHW staff, representatives from the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission (IPUC) staff, Community Action Agencies and utilities have been participating in a work
group addressing issues associated with winter heating bills.
Through this cooperative effort, a balance was sought to ensure low-income (self-declared up to 150%
of the federal income guidelines) Idahoans receive protection from winter disconnect while continuing to
make minimum monthly payments. Minimum monthly payments encourage self-sufficiency and
personal responsibility by developing good payment habits. Customers making minimum payments
during the moratorium period are also less likely to face unmanageable large utility bills on March 1 st
One critical element of the Winter Protection Program will be ongoing communication between
customers and their utilities. Communication will help ensure payment consideration is given to low-
income households whose circumstances might otherwise lead to their termination of service.
DHW supports the proposed two-year pilot program and encourages utilities to participate for statewide
continuity and to provide outcome data that can be analyzed at the end of the pilot period.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this Notice of Modified Procedure.c: ~-t f--
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cc:Michael E. Huntington, Intermountain Gas Company
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