20080929notice_of_public_workshops_order_no_30644.pdf

Office of the Secretar
Service Date
September 29,2008
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE COMMISSION'S )INQUIRY ABOUT ENERGY )
AFFORDABILITY ISSUES AND )WORKSHOPS. )
)
)
)
)
CASE NO. GNR-U-08-01
NOTICE OF
PUBLIC WORKSHOPS
NOTICE OF SCHEDULING
ORDER NO. 30644
By this Order, the Idaho Public Utilties Commission provides a foru for the
exploration of issues related to the affordabilty of energy in our state.
The Commission recognizes that there are a variety of factors contributing to
significant upward pressure on electric and natural gas rates in Idaho and energy affordabilty has
become a central issue for many Idaho households and businesses. Utilities are facing the
prospect of more customers being unable to pay their energy bils in full and/or on time.
Customers who are unemployed, have lower incomes, and/or have fixed incomes that fail to keep
pace with inflation are disproportionately affected by rising energy costs, since they must devote
an increasingly larger share of their income to paying for natual gas and electricity. Based on
these and other considerations, the Commission on its own motion initiated this case to examine
the issues surounding energy affordabilty for customers. Idaho Power, Avista Utilties,
Intermountan Gas, and Rocky Mountain Power are directed to paricipate in the workshops
scheduled in Boise. Other interested customers and organizations are also encourged to
participate.
Topics to explore in the workshops include, but are not limited to: (1) bil mitigation
(payment plans); (2) bil payment assistance; (3) bil reduction (e.g., conservation,
weatherization, bil discounts, reduced rates, tiered rates); (4) reduction in customer costs (e.g.,
payment transaction costs); (5) barers to obtaining or retaining service (e.g., deposits and
arearages); and (6) case management (e.g., providing one-on-one customer assistance). The
objective is to identify new programs, policies and/or legislation, procedures, and/or resources
that could be implemented to address energy affordabilty. To the extent possible, the costs and
benefits of proposed solutions wil be identified.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOPS
NOTICE OF SCHEDULINGORDER NO. 30644 1
The information gathered at the workshops will be compiled and analyzed by Staff
prior to issuing its comments. The utilities, general public, and other interested paries wil then
be given an opportunity to respond to Staff s comments. Based on the information gathered and
provided, Staff wil submit a final report to the Commission.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOPS
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that Commission Staff wil initially hold the
following public workshops in Boise, Idaho:
~ ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2008, AT 10:00 A.M. AT THE
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION, 472 WEST WASHINGTON
STREET, BOISE, IDAHO.
~ ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2008, AT 10:00 A.M. AT THE
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION, 472 WEST WASHINGTON
STREET, BOISE, IDAHO.
The Commission, in its discretion, may schedule additional workshops throughout the State.
NOTICE OF SCHEDULING
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Commission Staff intends to file initial
comments with the Commission no later than November 14,2008. Responses to Staffs initial
comments fied by customers, utilties, and/or other interested paries must be filed with the
Commission no later than December 8, 2008. Staff wil submit a final report, including
recommendations, to the Commission no later than December 30, 2008.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the documentation related to this case wil be
filed with the Commission and available for public inspection during regular business hours at
the Commission offices. The documentation may also be viewed on the Commission's website
at ww.puc.idaho.gov by clicking on "File Room" and then "Multi-Utilty Cases."
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case wil be held
pursuant to the Commission's jurisdiction under Title 61 of the Idaho Code and that the
Commission may enter any final Order consistent with its authority under Title 61.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter wil be
conducted according to the Commission's Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000, et seq.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOPS
NOTICE OF SCHEDULINGORDER NO. 30644 2
ORDER
IT is HEREBY ORDERED that Staf conduct public workshops and submit initial
comments and a final report as set out above.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilties Commission at Boise, Idao, this ;ie¡ rA
day of September 2008.
~~,l,. U
MACK A. REDFORDft- ÑT
~J~
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
~L~Z!C5JI ~MPTÓ~¿ISSIONER
ATTEST:
~tD. ~A.Jlj;Dwell ~
C ission Secretar
O:GNR-U-08-01 _ ks
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOPS
NOTICE OF SCHEDULINGORDER NO. 30644 3