20141029notice_of_public_workshop.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
October 29,2014
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF AVISTA CORPORATION,)
IDAHO POWER COMPANY,AND )CASE NO.GNR-U-14-O1
PACIFICORP DBA ROCKY MOUNTAIN )
POWER’S PETITION FOR AN EXEMPTION TO)NOTICE OF
UTILITY CUSTOMER RELATIONS RULES )PUBLIC WORKSHOP
311(4)AND(5).)
On September 30,2014,Avista Corporation,Idaho Power Company,and PacifiCorp
dba Rocky Mountain Power (the “Petitioners”)petitioned the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission for an Order exempting them from Utility Customer Relations Rule (“UCRR”)
311.04 and .05 (IDAPA 3 1.21.01.311.04 and .05).The Commission has directed its Staff to
hold a public workshop to inform interested persons about this matter.This Notice
summarizes the Petition,schedules a November 21.2014 workshop in Boise,Idaho,and
notifies interested persons that they may participate in the workshop in-person or by
telephone.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that UCRR 311.04 and .05,in summary,require a
utility’to try to make face-to-face contact with its customer immediately before terminating the
customer’s service for non-payment.The purpose of this final,in-person contact is for the
utility to give the customer a final chance to avoid termination of service by paying the bill at
that time.And,if the customer does not pay at that time,the utility is to notify the customer
about how the customer can have service reconnected.The Petitioners say they want the
exemption so they can opt to discontinue current,payment-at-the-door practices and can notify
customers in ways besides providing mandatory on-site notice.The Petitioners explain that
they would use advances in metering,communication,and electronic payment technologies to
reduce operating costs and increase the safety of utility employees without sacrificing
customer service.The Petitioners request that the proposed exemption take effect at the end of
the winter disconnection moratorium on March 1,2015.1 See Joint Petition for Exemption.
The “winter disconnection moratorium”is specified in UCRR 306.IDAPA 3 1.21 .01.306.That rule generally
precludes utilities from terminating service in December through February for residential customers who declare
that they cannot fully pay for utility service and whose household includes children,elderly,or infirm persons.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP 1
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Commission Staff will hold a public
workshop for customers of Avista,Idaho Power,and Rocky Mountain Power on FRIDAY,
NOVEMBER 21,2014 AT 9:30 A.M.IN THE COMMISSION’S HEARING ROOM,472
WEST WASHINGTON STREET,BOISE,IDAHO.The purpose of the workshop is to
provide customers with an overview of the Petition and to dispense information.At this
workshop,customers will have an opportunity to ask Staff questions about the Petition and how
customers may further participate in the proceeding.Representatives of the utilities will also be
available.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons wishing to participate in the
workshop attend the workshop in person in Boise or by telephone.Persons wishing to
participate telephonically may do so by dialing the following number:1-888-706-6468 followed
by the Participant Code:4435939.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Petition and supporting workpapers have
been filed with the Commission and are available for public inspection during regular business
hours at the Commission offices.The Petition is also available on the Commission’s web site at
www.puc.idaho.gov.Click on the “File Room”tab at the top of the page,scroll down to “Multi-
Utility Cases,”and then click on the case number as shown on the front of this document.
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:
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
P0 BOX 83720
BOISE,IDAHO 83720-0074
[phone] (Telephone)
[phone] (FAX)
E-Mail:secretary(äpuc,idaho.gov
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP 2
DATED at Boise,Idaho this day of October 2014.
Jean D.Jewell
Cothmission Secretary
N:GNR-U-I 40 iLk Workshop
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP 3