HomeMy WebLinkAbout20180510notice_of_filing.pdfOffice of the Secretary
Service Date
May 10,2018
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE INVESTIGATION )CASE NO.GNR-U-18-01
INTO THE IMPACT OF FEDERAL TAX )CODE REVISIONS ON UTILITY COSTS AND )NOTICE OF FILING OF
RATEMAKING )UTILITY REPORTS ON IMPACT
)OF TAX-LAW CHANGES
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the public utilities listed below,in response to
a Commission directive (Order No.33965),have filed reports with the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission to explain how recent tax-law changes will affect the utilities costs and the rates
customers pay.Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the utilities'reports.
Additionally,some utilities,along with Commission Staff and certain intervening parties,'are
negotiating or have proposed settlements in this case.Interested persons are also invited to submit
written comments on the proposed settlements.Deadlines for commenting on a particular proposed
settlement are specified in a corresponding Notice of Settlement Stipulation issued by the
Commission.Instructions for accessing documents filed in the case,includingthe utilities'reports,
and any proposed settlements and Commission notices and orders,are provided below.
BACKGROUND
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
decreased the federal corporate tax rate from 35%to 21%,effective January 1,2018.In response,
the Commission opened this multi-utilitycase to investigate whether to adjust utilities'rates so
the benefits from the reduced tax rate flow through to customers.This case involves all rate-
regulated utilities in Idaho,except for small water companies with less than 200 customers,and
the small electric utility,Atlanta Power.See Order No.33965.The Commission directed all
affected utilities to immediately account for the tax benefits as a regulatory liability.The utilities
'To date,the following parties have intervened in this case.These intervenors are interested in participating in this
case as to particular utilities,as noted:Alliance of Western Energy Consumers,as to Intermountain Gas Company;
Clearwater Paper Corporation,as to Avista Corporation;Idaho Conservation League,as to Avista Corporation;Idaho
Forest Group,as to Avista Corporation;Idaho Irrigation Pumpers Association,as to PacifiCorp and Idaho Power
Company;Industrial Customers of Idaho Power,as to Idaho Power Company;Monsanto Company,as to Rocky
Mountain Power/PacifiCorp;and PacifiCorp Industrial Customers,as to Rocky Mountain Power/PacifiCorp.
1
also were to file a report on the effect of the tax changes,and proposed tariffs,by March 30,2018.
See id.at 1-2 (detailing what a utility'sfiling must include).
UTILITIES THAT HAVE FILED REPORTS
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that,as of the date of this Notice,the following
utilities have filed the Commission-ordered reports:
TETON WATER &SEWER COMPANY
SCHWEITZERBASIN WATER LLC
INTERMOUNTAIN GAS COMPANY
AVISTA CORPORATIONDBA AVISTA UTILITIES
OREGON-IDAHOUTILITIES INC.
SUEZ WATER IDAHO INC.
ALBION TELEPHONECOMPANY
CAMBRIDGE TELEPHONECOMPANY
COLUMBINE TELEPHONECOMPANY,INC.
DIRECTCOMMUNICATIONS ROCKLAND
FALLS WATER COMPANY
FREMONTTELCOM CO.DBA BLACKFOOT
IDAHO POWER COMPANY
INLAND TELEPHONECOMPANY
MIDVALE TELEPHONECOMPANY
ROCKYMOUNTAIN POWER,A DIVISION OF PACIFICORP
RURAL TELEPHONECOMPANY
SPIRIT LAKE EAST WATER COMPANY
RESORT WATER CO.,INC.
STONERIDGEUTILITIES LLC
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the documentation related to this case will be
filed with the Commission and available for public inspection during regular business hours at the
Commission office.The documentation may also be viewed on the Commission's website at
by clicking on "File Room"and then "Multi-Utility Cases."
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that,as with all cases before the Idaho Public
Utilities Commission,interested persons and members of the public who wish to state a position
regarding this case are encouraged to file a written comment in support or in opposition with the
Commission.All comments must state the case caption and case number shown on the first page
of this document,the utility to whom the comment pertains,and the reasons supporting the
comment.Additionally,persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their
written comments.Persons may submit their comment by mail or e-mail.Comments may be
mailed to the Commission at the address below:
2
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise,ID 83720-0074
Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W.Washington Street
Boise,ID 83702-5918
The comment must also be mailed to the utility to whom it pertains at the address listed on the
utility'sreport.Persons may also submit comments via e-mail may by accessing the Commission's
home page located at Click the "Case Comment or Question Form"under
the "Consumers"tab,and complete the form using the case number as it appears on the front of
this document.These comments must also be sent to the Company at any e-mail address listed on
the report.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case are being 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.
DATED at Boise,Idaho this day of May 2018.
Diane M.Hanian
Commission Secretary
3