20200917Order_No_34781.pdf

ORDER NO. 34781 1

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
September 17, 2020
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN RE COVID-19 RESPONSE )
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CASE NO. GNR-U-20-01

ORDER NO. 34781

On Friday, March 13, 2020, Idaho’s Governor declared a state of emergency to combat the
spread of COVID-19, provide essential services, and limit public exposure. Among other things,
the Governor suspended the requirement that persons be allowed to physically attend public
meetings. The Commission, in turn, issued Order No. 34602 to foster safe procedures at the
Commission. For example, the Commission began to conduct certain meetings exclusively by
telephone.
Since the Commission issued its order, the State’s COVID-19 response has evolved, and
the Commission has resumed many of its normal operations. In order to remain compliant and
consistent with the Governor’s objectives, the Commission issues this order to replace Order No.
34602 and reflect the Commission’s updated practices. The Commission continues to find, under
Rule 13 of the Commission’s Rules of Procedure (IDAPA 31.01.01.13), it is neither practical nor
in the public interest for utilities, parties, and the public to adhere to certain Commission Rules
that might otherwise foster unnecessary in-person contact. Consequently, the Commission
declares:
1. The Public Utilities Commission Office Will Remain Open. The Commission’s
Office will remain open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Our staff will do
everything they can to assist you. If you have business with the Commission, we
encourage you to utilize our online services at https://puc.idaho.gov/. or call (208) 334
0300 for assistance.
2. Persons are Encouraged to Remotely Attend Commission Meetings, Hearings and
Other Proceedings. To avoid situations that would cause persons to gather in
unacceptable numbers, the Commission has enabled interested persons to attend the
Commission’s public meetings and hearings either in-person or by telephone or other
electronic means. We encourage remote attendance when possible. We also encourage
persons and parties to remotely attend mediation, settlement, workshops, and other
Commission-related matters. See Rules 211 through 215; 243; and 271 through 277.

ORDER NO. 34781 2
3. Safety Precautions Must be Observed When Physically Attending Meetings.
Persons should not physically attend the Commission’s meetings, hearings, workshops,
or other public proceedings if they are sick. Persons who physically attend such public
proceedings must, when possible, either: (a) maintain at least six-foot physical
distancing from other persons; or (b) wear a face covering that completely covers the
person’s nose and mouth when others are present and a physical distance of six feet
cannot be maintained. We encourage persons both to maintain six-foot physical
distancing and wear a face covering. Additionally, persons must adhere to all
applicable safety directives in the Restriction Order from the District Board of Central
District Health, State of Idaho (“CDH”) in effect at the time the Commission’s public
proceeding is to occur. CDH Restriction Orders are available here:
https://www.cdhd.idaho.gov/dac-coronavirus-order.php. The Commission may restrict
the number of people who attend public proceedings to help maintain appropriate
physical distancing.
4. Electronic Filing by Parties. The requirements of Rules 61 and 62 that a specified
number of copies of different pleadings be filed with the Commission is suspended.
Filings of applications and other pleadings with the Commission will be deemed filed
when the electronic submission is received by the Commission Secretary. See Rule
14.02. Service between parties should also be accomplished electronically.
(Voluminous discovery-related documents, may be filed and served on CD-ROM or a
USB flash drive.) Notice to customers of a change in rates must still be accomplished
by a mailing. See Rule 125.
5. Electronic Service of Commission Notices and Orders. The Commission Secretary
has the discretion to serve all Commission notices and orders by electronic mail. See
Rule 16.01. Consequently, the Commission will continue to issue all notices and orders
by electronic mail, except for any Summons or Complaint, which will continue to be
served by registered/certified mail. See Rule 16.01.
This order is effective immediately and will continue in effect until rescinded, superseded
or otherwise amended by the Commission or its authorized representative.
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ORDER NO. 34781 3
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 17th
day of September 2020.

PAUL KJELLANDER, PRESIDENT

KRISTINE RAPER, COMMISSIONER

ERIC ANDERSON, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secretary

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