20040809Proposed Rule.pdf

IDAP A 31--IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
31.21.01.CUSTOMER RELATIONS RULES FOR GAS, ELECTRIC AND WATER
PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATED BY THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES
COMMISSION (THE UTILITY CUSTOMER RELATIONS RULES)
DOCKET NO. 31-2101-0401
NOTICE OF RULEMAKING - PROPOSED RULE
AUTHORITY: In compliance with Section 67-5220(1), Idaho Code, notice is hereby given that
the Commission has initiated proposed rulemaking procedures. The action is authorized pursuant
to Sections 61-507, 61-515, and 14-508, Idaho Code.
PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULE: A public hearing concerning this rulemaking will be
scheduled if requested in writing by twenty-five (25) persons, a political subdivision, or an
agency, not later than October 20, 2004. The hearing site will be accessible to persons with
disabilities. Requests for accommodation must be made not later than five (5) days prior to the
hearing, to the agency address below.
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY: The following is a non-technical explanation of the substance
and purpose of the proposed rulemaking:
The Commission is proposing to amend Rule 108 and to promulgate a new Rule 110. The
proposed changes concern instances where customers have made deposits or advance payments
to obtain utility service. The change to Rule 108 would allow a public utility to transfer a
customer. deposit to a new account or apply it to the account balance owing on an existing
account. New Rule 110 implements Idaho Code ~ 14-508 that states any deposit or advance
payment made to obtain utility service that is unclaimed for more than one (1) year after
termination of service is presumed to be abandoned property. Rule 110 would allow a public
utility to forward abandone4 deposits or advanced payment to a financial assistance program
certified by the Commission. In accordance with Idaho Code ~ 14-508, a "financial assistance
program" is an entity which assists the utility s low-income and disadvantaged customers with
payment of utility bills.
FEE SUMMARY: There are no fees associated with this proposed rulemaking.
NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING: Pursuant to IDAPA 04.11.01.811 , negotiated rulemaking
was not conducted because the change to Rule 108 is minor and Rule 110 merely adopts Idaho
Code ~ 14-508.
ASSISTANCE ON TECHNICAL QUESTIONS, SUBMISSION OF WRITTEN
COMMENTS: For assistance on technical questions concerning the proposed rule, contact
Beverly Barker at [phone]. Anyone may submit written comments regarding this
proposed rulemaking. All written comments must be directed to the undersigned and must be
delivered on or before October 27, 2004.
DATED at Boise, Idaho this lc -t4-day of August 2004.
Je . JewellCo ission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: [phone]
Street address for express delivery:
472 W Washington
Boise, Idaho 83702-5983
IDAP A 31
TITLE
CHAPTER
31.21.01 - CUSTOMER RELATIONS RULES FOR GAS,
ELECTRIC AND WATER PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULA TED
BY THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
(THE UTILITY CUSTOMER RELATIONS RULES)
RULES 100 TO 199 - DEPOSIT J..ND CUARANTEE PRACTICES
FOR RESIDENTIAL AND SMALL COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS
(BREAK IN CONTINUITY OF SECTIONS)
108. TRANSFER OF DEPOSIT (RULE 108).
Deposits shall not be transferred from one customer to another customer or between classes of
service, except at the customer s request. When a customer with a deposit on file transfers
service to a new location within the same utility s service area, the deposit
balance (with accrued interest)shall be either transferred to the account for the new location
credited to the customer s current account.
(BREAK IN CONTINUITY OF SECTIONS)
110. UNCLAIMED DEPOSITS AND ADVANCE PAYMENTS (RULE 110b
01. Presumption of Abandonment. Pursuant to Section 14-508, Idaho Code, any
deposit or advance payment made to obtain or maintain utility service that is unclaimed by the
owner for more than one ill year after termination of service is presumed abandoned.
02. Financial Assistance Pro2ram. utility may apply to the Commission for
approval to pay unclaimed deposits and advance payments presumed to be abandoned to a
financial assistance program which assists the utility s low income and disadvantaged customers
with payment of utility bills. The utility shall remain obligated to file its report of such
abandoned property as required by Section 14-517, Idaho Code, and retain records as required by
Section 14-531, Idaho Code.
1un. --199. (RESERVED).