20210603Order_No_35058.pdf

ORDER NO. 35058 1

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
June 3, 2021
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

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

ORDER NO. 35058

In early 2020, the Governor declared the COVID-19 pandemic to be an emergency. The
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW), Central District Health (CDH), and other public
health authorities then adopted standards to help prevent COVID-19 from spreading. The
Commission, in turn, initiated this docket and issued orders to foster safe practices at the
Commission. The Commission’s latest COVID-response order, Order No. 34781, took effect on
September 17, 2020.
Recently, public health authorities have relaxed their COVID-19 guidelines.1 In summary,
the new guidelines suggest that fully vaccinated persons may meet without wearing masks or
maintaining six feet of distance between each other. Because of the new guidelines, the
Commission finds it appropriate to replace Order No. 34781 with a new order. The Commission
continues to find, under Rule 13 of the Commission’s Rules of Procedure (IDAPA 31.01.01.13),
it is in the public interest to provide flexibility for utilities, parties, and the public to participate in
Commission proceedings and activities. Consequently, the Commission orders as follows:
1. Persons are Encouraged to Continue to Utilize Available Virtual Platforms to
Attend Commission Meetings, Hearings and Other Proceedings. The Commission
has enabled interested persons to attend the Commission’s public meetings in-person
or by telephone or other electronic means. We have found these alternative platforms
to be an effective means of participation. We continue to encourage remote attendance
opportunities when possible. We also encourage persons and parties to consider the
value of remote attendance for mediations, settlements, workshops, and other
Commission-related matters. See Rules 211 through 215; 243; and 271 through 277.

1 See e.g., Central District Health Lifts Public Health Advisory, May 13, 2021
(https://www.cdhd.idaho.gov/pdfs/News/2021/5-13-21-CDH-Lifts-Public-Health-Advisory.pdf); Idaho Department
of Health and Welfare’s Stage 4 Stay Healthy Guidelines, dated May 11, 2021 (https://rebound.idaho.gov/wp-
content/uploads/stage4-stay-healthy-guidelines-051121.pdf). See also CDC’s Interim Public Health
Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People, dated May 13, 2021 (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html).

ORDER NO. 35058 2
2. Safety Precautions to be Observed When Physically Attending Meetings. The
IDHW and CDH guidelines in effect when a Commission proceeding occurs may apply
differently to a person depending on the person’s vaccination status. Persons wishing
to physically attend Commission proceedings should adhere to those guidelines.
3. 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.
4. 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. 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. 35058 3
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 3rd day of
June 2021.

PAUL KJELLANDER, PRESIDENT

KRISTINE RAPER, COMMISSIONER

ERIC ANDERSON, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secretary

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