20040826Notice of Petition Order No 29573.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
August 26, 2004
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FILED
BY THE IDAHO COMMUNITY ACTION
NETWORK (I CAN) TO AMEND THE
COMMISSION'S UTILITY CUSTOMER
RELATIONS RULES, IDAPA 31.21.01.
IPUC CASE NO. RUL-04-
APA DOCKET NO. 31-2101-0402
NOTICE OF PETITION
OTI CE OF NEGOTIATED
ULEMAKIN G
NOTICE OF PUBLIC
WORKSHOPS
ORDER NO. 29573
On July 22, 2004, the Idaho Community Action Network (lCAN) filed a "Petition for
Rule Change." More specifically, ICAN proposes changes to six existing rules and the adoption
of one new rule, all found in the Commission s Utility Customer Relations Rules, IDAP
31.21.01. In response to ICAN's Petition, the Commission initiates this negotiated rulemaking
so that interested persons can discuss the merits of the proposed changes and determine whether
BACKGROUND
there is consensus on the proposed changes or alternatives to the proposed changes.
ICAN states in its Application that it is a statewide, grassroots organization dedicated
to social, racial and economic justice for all Idahoans. ICAN notes that its members have
experienced increasing difficulties in maintaining utility services. "As utility rates rise, our
(members ) incomes and the low-income energy assistance funds available to (our members)
have stagnated or decreased. As a result, an increasing number of families in Idaho have had
problems paying utility bills and have had service terminated.Petition at 1. ICAN states that
this experience has convinced its members that the Utility Customer Relations Rules need
strengthening to "protect vulnerable low-income families from (service) shutoffs.Id.
NOTICE OF PETITION
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NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOPSORDER NO. 29573
NOTICE OF PETITION
ICAN petitions the Commission to amend six rules and adopt a new rule. For
purposes of this Notice, the Commission will set out the current utility customer rule with the
ICAN proposed changes shown in legislative "strikeout" or "underline" format. Strikeout
denotes text proposed for deletion and underline denotes added text. Proceeding each rule will
be a brief explanation why ICAN propose the change(s) in each rule. The Commission
encourages interested persons to review ICAN's Petition which sets out in greater detail the
reasons for the proposed changes and its supporting facts. As explained later in this Order
ICAN's Petition may be reviewed onthe Commission s website or by visiting the Commission
offices.
1. Rule 306-Termination of Residential Gas and Electric Service-Winter Payment Plan
(the Winter Moratorium).
ICAN proposes several changes to Rule 306 to expand the customer protection
afforded by this rule, commonly referred to as the "winter moratorium." During the months of
December, January and February, utilities are generally prohibited from terminating natural gas
and electric service for residential customers whose households contain children, the elderly, or
the infirm.IDAP A 31.21.01.306.ICAN proposes to extend the existing three-month
moratorium period to five months by adding the months of November and March. See Rule
306.01 below. ICAN claims that of the 35 states with date-based winter moratoriums, Idaho and
West Virginia have the shortest moratorium periods. ICAN reports that 12 states have
November-March moratoriums, 26 states include all or part of November, and 30 states include
all or part of March. Petition at 1. ICAN maintains that Idaho winters last longer than just three
months. It referred to an exhibit in the recent Idaho Power rate case that purports to show that
winter electricity usage in the Idaho Power service territory increases starting in November and
continues through April. Id. at 3.
Second, ICAN proposes to modify Rule 306 to require that gas or electric utilities
must connect or reconnect service during the moratorium to eligible customers requesting
connection at a residence where service is not currently provided. Finally, ICAN proposes to
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ORDER NO. 29573
modify the existing rule regarding successive participation in the winter payment plan (see
306.06 below). The proposed ICAN changes are set out below.
RULE 306.
01. Restrictions On Termination Of Service To Households With
Children, Elderly, Or Infirm. Except as provided in Rule 303, no gas or
electric utility may terminate service or threaten to terminate service during the
months of December November through February March to any residential
customer who declares that he or she is unable to pay in full for utility service
and whose household includes children, elderly or infirm persons. During the
period of the winter moratorium. a gas or electric utility shall connect or
reconnect service for an applicant or customer who declares that he or she is
unable to pay in full for utility service and whose household includes children.
elderly or infirm persons. regardless of any outstanding balance the household
may have at the current residence or any previous residence. A gas or electric
utility shall connect service for a customer who owes money on an existing
account or from a previous account when that customer moves to a new
residence that does not currently have service. if the customer declares that he
or she is unable to pay in full for utility service and that his or her household
includes children. elderly or infirm persons.f7-!--Wj
02. Definitions For This Rule. For purposes of this rule:(7-93)
a. "Children" are defined as persons eighteen (18) years of age or
younger, but customers who are emancipated minors are not children underthis rule. (7-93)
b. "Elderly" are defined as persons sixty-two (62) years of age orolder. (7-93)
c. "Infirm" are defined as persons whose physical health or safety
would be seriously impaired by termination of utility service. (7-93)
03. Opportunity To Participate In Winter Payment Plan. Any
residential customer or applicant who declares that he or she is unable to pay in
full for utility service and whose household includes children, elderly or infirm
persons must be offered the opportunity to establish a Winter Payment Plan.
However, no customer may be required to establish such a plan. Except as
pro'videtl--ift-.RWc 303 , no gas or electric utility may terminate service during
the months of Novcmber-through-Mareh to any customer \vho establishes a
1 The lCAN proposals have been edited in places to maintain consistency with rulemaking punctuation as required
by the Office of Administrative Rules.
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Winter Payment ~ovembef-l. f... customer may estaWis-h a \\Tinter
Pa)ment Plan aftef-Novembef.-.l.,-bffi-he extended-protection from termination
at service offered.-.mlder such a plan ~Nill not begin until--the-date the--t*an is~ure of a participating customer to make-payments as required
will result in cancellation of-the plan and-elimination of the extended
protection from termination of service offere~The customer
may use any source of funds to satisfy the payment requirements of WinterPayment Plan. f7-!--Wj
04. Amount Of Payments Under Winter Payment Plan. Monthly
payments under a Winter Payment Plan are equal to one-half (1/2) of the Level
Pay Plan amount for that customer. The Level Payment Plan amount must be
calculated according to Rule 313.06. (7-93)
05. Payment Arrangements Following Winter Payment Plan. If a
customer who received the protection of this rule has an outstanding balance
owed to the utility, the customer must either pay this balance or negotiate anew payment arrangement- f7-!--Wj
it-. Gn or after March April , if the customer has not established a
Winter Payment Plan;-ff f7-!--Wj
b-. On or after .L'\pril-l , if the customer has established a '\Tinter
Payment plan-.Failure of a customer to payor make payment arrangements on
or after these dates may result in termination of service. f7-!--Wj!
06. Successiye Partieipati6B-In \Vinter Payment Plan. A,. customer
who participates in a \Vinter Payment Plan one (1) year must be--allovied-te
participate in succeeding years if.-the customer ha5-honored the pa)1nent
arrangements and---the----balance o\ving as of-November--+---does not exceed
seventy five dellars ($75) or the customer uti~reyious tffifty
(30) days
, ~
vVhiehever is greater. Hov/ever, the utility is not required to connect
or reconnect the service of a customer or applicant \vhe--Eloes not currently--have
utility service and ov/es an unpaici,-Hfldisputed-bill to the utility.f7-!--Wj
Unoccupied Residences, Etc. Nothing in this rule prevents a gas
or electric utility from terminating service to unoccupied residences or
residences where the occupants have failed or refused to apply for utility
service. Nething in this rule requires the utility to connect service for a
customer ~vho OVles money on an existing account "when that customer moves
to a ne\v residence that-does not currently-haT/e service.f7-!--Wj
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ORDER NO. 29573
2. Rule 304. Requirements for Notice to Customers Before Termination of Service.
ICAN proposes two changes to the Commission s Rule 304 dealing with a utility
initial and final notices of service termination. First, ICAN proposes to amend Rule 304.01 to
double the number of days (from 7 days to 14 days) between the date the customer is served with
the initial notice of disconnection and the actual date of disconnection. Second, ICAN proposes
to change Rule 304.02 that requires the utility to diligently attempt to contact the affected
customer either in person or by telephone at least 24 hours before the proposed date of service
termination. ICAN proposes that there be at least two documented attempts to contact the
affected customer at different periods of the day.
RULE 304.
01. Initial Notice. If the utility intends to terminate service to a
customer under Rule 302, the utility shall send to the customer written notice
of termination mailed at least seven fourteen ':/-14)calendar days before the
proposed date of termination. This written notice shall contain the information
required by Rule 305. (3 20 O~(
02. Final Notice. The utility may mail a final written notice to the
customer at least three (3) calendar days, excluding weekends and holidays
before the proposed date of termination. Regardless of whether the utility
elects to mail a written notice, at least twenty-four (24) hours before the
proposed date of termination, the utility shall diligently attempt to contact the
customer affected, either in person or by telephone, to advise the customer of
the proposed action and steps to take to avoid or delay termination. This final
notice shall contain the same information required by Rule 305. A diligent
attempt means at least two W documented attempts at different periods of theday to contact the customer. (3 20 O~!
03. Additional Notice. If service is not terminated within twenty-one
(21) calendar days after the proposed termination date as specified in a written
notice the utility shall again provide notice under Subsections 304.01 and
304.02 if it still intends to terminate service. (3-20-04)
04. Failure to Pay. No additional notice of termination is required if
upon receipt of a termination notice, the customer: (3-20-04)
a. Makes a payment arrangement and subsequently fails to keep thatarrangement; (3-20-04)
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NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOPSORDER NO. 29573
b. Tenders payment with a dishonored check; or (3-20-04)
c. Makes an electronic payment drawn on an account with insufficientfunds. (3-20-04)
3. Rule 305 Contents of Notice of Intent to Terminate Service.
In its Application, ICAN proposes several changes to Commission Rule 305 that
prescribes the information that must be contained in a utility s initial or final notice of service
termination. ICAN proposes that the termination notice include information on the winter
moratorium (Rule 306) and that it contain the specific date and time that service will be
disconnected (see Rule 305.08 below). ICAN also proposes to add a new subsection .07 to Rule
305 that requires all disconnection notices to contain an explicit warning and that the termination
notices be published in English, Arabic, Farsi, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish, and any other
language requested by at least 20 customers (see proposed new Rule 702.02).
RULE 305.
The written or oral notice of intent to terminate service required by Rule 304shall state: (7-93)
01. Reasons For Termination. The reason(s), citing these rules, why
service will be terminated and the proposed date of termination; (7-93)
02. Actions To Avoid Termination. Actions the customer may take to
avoid termination of service; (7 -93)
03. Medical Certificate and Winter Moratorium That a certificate
notifying the utility of a serious illness or medical emergency in the household
may delay termination as prescribed by Rule 308. That no gas or electric
utility may terminate service or threaten to terminate service during the
months of November through March to any residential customer who declares
that he or she is unable to pay in full for utility service and whose household
includes children. elderly or infirm persons.f7-!--Wj
04. Filing Complaints. That an informal or formal complaint concerning
termination may be filed with the utility or the Commission, and that service
will not be terminated on the ground relating to the dispute between the
customer and the utility before resolution of the complaint (the Commission
address and telephone number must be given to the customer); and (7-93)
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ORDER NO. 29573
05. Payment Arrangements. That the utility is willing to make payment
arrangements (this statement must be in bold print on written notices). (7-93)
06. Partial Payments. That for purposes of termination, partial payments
will be applied toward utility service charges first, unless the customer
requests otherwise, and that charges for non-utility services cannot be used asa basis for termination. (3-30-01)
07. Notice in Laneuaees Other than Enelish. All energy utilities
disconnect notices shall contain the following information translated into
Serbo-Croatian. Arabic. Spanish. Russian and Farsi and any other languages
required by the Commission under Rule 702:
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Your electric (or gas) service will be shut
off because of an unpaid bill on your account. You must call
immediately to avoid shut off. If you are unable to read this bill.
please have someone translate it for you. If you are unable to find
someone to translate this notice. call1liAMElillNUMBER) who will
help you. Information about your rights as a customer and ways to
stop your shut off are also available in this language. CALL NOW TOSTOP YOUR SHUT OFF.
08. Time and Date of Termination. The final notice shall inform the
customer that service will be disconnected on a specific date and indicate thetime of day that service will be disconnected.
,(
4. Rule 308 Serious Illness or Medical Emergency.
The Commission s Rule 308 currently provides that utility shall postpone
termination of residential utility service for 30 days upon receipt of a medical certificate stating
that disconnection would adversely affect the health of a person residing in that subject
household. IDAPA 31.21.01.308. ICAN proposes that this rule be modified to suspend or
postpone the disconnection of service for a period depending upon the medical condition for a
period not to exceed six months.If the medical condition is a chronic illness, then the
postponement may extend up to 12 months. See Rule 308.01 below. ICAN recommends that at
least 15 days before the certificate is to expire, the utility give the customer written notice of the
pending expiration. It also suggests that the postponement of termination may continue "as long
as the health endangerment continues." Petition at 7; Rule 308.03 below.
NOTICE OF PETITION
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RULE 308.
01. Medical Certificate -- Postponement Of Termination Of Service.
A utility shall postpone termination of utility service to a residential customer
the date of receipt of a written certificate
signed by a licensed physician or public health official with medical training.
An emergency medical certificate shall be valid only for the length of time the
health endangerment is certified to exist. but no longer than six (Q) months
without renewal for certificates not specifying chronic illnesses and no longer
than twelve Q2) months for certificates specifying illnesses identified as
chronic by the signing physician or public health official.The certificate
must contain the following information: (3 20 04)(
a. A statement that the customer, a member of the customer s family, or
other permanent resident of the premises where service is rendered
seriously ill or has a medical emergency or will become seriously ill or have a
medical emergency because of termination of service, and that termination of
utility service would adversely affect the health of that customer, member of
the customer s family, or resident of the household. (3-20-04)
b. The name of the person whose serious illness or medical emergency
would be adversely affected by termination and the relationship to the
customer, and (3-20-04)
c. The name, title, and signature of the person certifying the seriousillness or medical emergency. (3-20-04)
02. Restoration Of Service. If service has already been terminated when
the medical certificate is received, service shall be restored as soon as
possible, but no later than twenty-four (24) hours after receipt. The customer
shall receive service fer-thirty (30) caleOOar-days from the utility s receipt ofthe certificate. (3 20 041(
03. Seeond Postponement. Renewal of Medical Certificate.
may postpone termination of service upon receipt of a second certificate
stating that the serious illness or medical emergency still exists. At least
fifteen (U) days before the certificate s expiration date. an electric or gas
utility will give the customer written notice of the date the certificate expires
unless it is renewed with the utility before that day arrives. A customer may
submit additional certificates and continue the postponement of termination.
as long as the health endangerment continues. (7 1 93)(
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04. Verification Of Medical Certificate. The utility may verify the
authenticity of the certificate and may refuse to delay termination of service if
it is determined that the certificate is a forgery or is otherwise fraudulent.
(7-93)
05. Obligation To Pay. Nothing in this rule relieves the customer of the
obligation to pay any undisputed bill. (3-20-04)
5. Rule 311 Restrictions on Termination of Service -- Opportunity to Avoid
Termination of Service.
The Commission s existing Rule 311.01 prohibits the termination of service on a
Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday or after 2 p.m. on any Friday or any day immediately preceding
any legal holiday. IDAPA 31.21.01.311.01. ICAN proposes that this rule be amended to
prohibit disconnection on any weekend, Friday or on any day preceding a legal holiday.
RULE 311.
01. When Termination Not Allowed. Service shall not be terminated on
any Friday",- after 2 p., or on Saturday, Sunday, legal holidays recognized by
the State of Idaho, or after 2 p.on any day immediately preceding any legal
holiday, or at any time when the utility is not open for business, except as
authorized by Rules 303.01 and 303.02. Service may be terminated between
the hours of 4 p.m. and 9 p., Monday through Thursday, if the utility is
unable to gain access to the customer s meter during normal business hours.
Unless otherwise authorized by this rule, Rules 303.01 and 303., or the
affected customer in writing, service may be terminated only between the
hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (5 3 03)(
02. Personnel To Authorize Reconnection. Each utility shall have
personnel available after the time of termination who are authorized to
reconnect service if the conditions cited as grounds for termination are
corrected to the utility s satisfaction. Service shall be reconnected as soon as
possible, but no later than twenty-four (24) hours after the utility s conditions
are satisfied and the customer requests reconnection. (5-03)
03. Opportunity To Prevent Termination Of Service. Immediately
preceding termination of service, the employee designated to terminate service
shall identify himself or herself to the customer or other responsible adult
upon the premises and shall announce the purpose of the employee s presence.
This employee shall have in his or her possession the past due account record
of the customer and shall request any available verification that the
outstanding bills are satisfied or currently in dispute before this Commission.
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NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOPSORDER NO. 29573
Upon presentation of evidence that outstanding bills are satisfied or currently
in dispute before this Commission, service shall not be terminated. The
employee shall be authorized to accept full payment, or, at the discretion of
the utility, partial payment, and in such case shall not terminate service.
Nothing in this rule prevents a utility from proceeding with termination of
service if the customer or other responsible adult is not on the premises at thetime of termination. (5-03)
04. Notice Of Procedure For Reconnecting Service. The employee of
the utility designated to terminate service shall give to the customer or leave in
a conspicuous location at the service address affected a notice showing, the
time of and grounds for termination, steps to be taken to secure reconnection
and the telephone numbers of utility personnel or other authorized
representatives who are available to authorize reconnection. (5-03)
05. No Termination While Complaint Pending. Except as authorized by
order of the Commission or of the Judiciary, service shall not be terminated
for failure to pay amounts in dispute while a complaint filed pursuant to Rule
402 is pending before this Commission or while a case placing at issue
payment for utility service is pending before a court in the state of Idaho.
(7-93)
6. Rule 701- Summary of Rules.
Rule 701 provides that each utility make available to its customers an annual
summary of the Commission s Customer Relations Rules.IDAPA 31.21.01.701.ICAN
proposes that Rule 701 be modified to provide that the annual summary be posted in the utility
local office(s) in both English and Spanish. The annual summary must also be made available in
Arabic, Farsi, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish and any other language requested by at least 20
customers. See proposed Rule 702.02. It further suggests that the annual summary advise
customers about: (1) winter moratorium; (2) medical certificates; (3) how to lodge a complaint
with the utility; and (4) how to file a complaint with the Commission.
RULE 701.
Each utility must make available to its customers a summary of this chapter
approved by the Commission. The summary shall be provided to customers at
least once each year and must be available at local offices of the utility in
Idaho and provided to each new customer upon commencement of service.
Notices posted in local offices shall be posted in English and Spanish: other
translations as required under Rule 70m must be available for distribution in
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NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOPSORDER NO. 29573
the offices.The summary sent by gas and electric utilities must include or be
accompanied by information explaining the Third-Party Notification Program
described in Rule 307 and a statement of the utility s willingness pursuant to
Rule 311 to make payment arrangements to assist customers having difficulty
paying their utility bills. The summary must also include explanations of the
winter moratorium described in Rule 306 and the medical certificate
postponement of termination described in Rule 308. The summary must
include a summary of Rules 401 and 402. explaining how to complain to the
utility. how to complain to the Commission. and the phone number of the
Commission. The summary must provide notice that service shall not be
terminated nor termination be threatened by notice or otherwise in connection
with the subiect matter of the complaint while the complaint is pending before
the Commission. so long as the customer continues to pay all amounts not in
dispute. including current utility bills. The summary must include the
statement: "A version of a consumer rights and responsibilities summary
printed in this language is available by calling (name of utility)~hone
number)." in each of the languages designated under Rule 702.Foreign
language summaries of the rules provided by the Commission to the utilities
must be made available to customers, civic organizations, etc., on request.
f7-!--Wj
7. New Rule 702 Multilingual Notices.
Finally, ICAN proposes that the Commission promulgate a new Rule 702 requiring
utilities to provide the annual summary of the customer rules and termination notices in the five
foreign languages identified above. This rule would also require that if 20 customers request
notices or summaries in a language other than the five foreign languages identified above, then
utilities shall be required to make such additional foreign language notices available. The
proposed rule would require utilities to ascertain whether customers would like to receive notices
or summaries in a language other than English. ICAN's proposed Rule 702 is set out below.
702. MULTILINGUAL NOTICES (RULE 702l:
01. Translation. Each utility shall translate the following documents into
Arabic. Farsi. Russian. Serbo-Croatian. and Spanish and make these
translations available to customers on request:
a. The summary of rules (Rule 7011.:.
b. Multilingual warning on shutoff notices (Rule 305.07)~
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c. Shutoff notices as described by Rules 304 and 305.
02. Language. When service is initiated. the energy utility shall inquire
whether the customer would like to receive notices in a language other than
English and will inform the customer of the type of notices and translations
currently available. If the language chosen is not available. the energy (Qr
large telecommunications 1 utility will tell the customer the translated version
does not yet exist but the customer interest will be recorded for the
Commission. Each energy (or large telecommunications J utility shall report to
the Commission the number of requests for notices and summaries in non-
English languages. The reports shall specify the number of requests for each
language. The Commission shall review these reports annually. If twenty
Gill customers in a utility s service area request translated notices in a
language in a year. the Commission shall require the utility to provide
translated notices in that language.
,(
NOTICE OF NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that pursuant to Idaho Code ~ 67-5220(2), the
Commission finds that it is reasonable and appropriate to initiate informal negotiated rulemaking
to examine the proposed changes contained in ICAN's Petition. Negotiated Rulemaking is an
informal process where interested persons examine the advantages and disadvantages of
proposed changes and seek consensus on the content of the proposed changes. Without
addressing the merits of the proposals, the Commission recognizes that the proposed changes are
significant and substantial. Negotiated rulemaking will provide interested persons with an
opportunity to exchange views and develop a record for our subsequent review. Because ICAN
has proposed specific textual changes to our Utility Customer Relations Rules, we find that the
recommended changes set out above shall serve as the starting point for the informal
negotiations. The Commission further finds that it is reasonable to conduct this negotiated
rulemaking by convening two informal public workshops. Additional workshops may be
scheduled at a later date. The Commission anticipates that it will solicit public comments after
the completion of the workshops.
2 Telecommunications corporations are not subject to the Utility Customer Relations Rules but are subject to the
Telephone Customer Relations Rules, lD AP A 31.41.01.
NOTICE OF PETITION
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ORDER NO. 29573
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that ICAN's Petition is available for public
inspection during regular business hours at the Commission s office located at 472 West
Washington Street, Boise, Idaho. The ICAN Petition may also be viewed electronically at the
Commission s web site at www.puc.state.id.by clicking on "File Room " then "Multi-Utility
Cases" and then "RUL-04-02 ICAN Proposed Rule Change.
NOTICE OF DEADLINE INTERVENTION
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that to assist the Commission in this negotiated
rulemaking, persons desiring to intervene as an official party and to represent groups or other
entities must file a petition to intervene with the Commission pursuant to Rules of Procedure 72
and 73, IDAP A 31.01.01.072 and -073 no later than September 21" 2004. Persons desiring
participate at the informal public workshops on their own behalf or to simply submit comments
do not need to file a petition to intervene.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that for the purpose of processing this case, ICAN
and the Commission s water, natural gas and electric utilities shall be granted party status in this
case. No later than September 21 , 2004, the utilities shall notify the Commission Secretary in
writing of the names and addresses of their representatives for purpose of service. Each utility
shall designate no more than two representatives. IDAP A 31.01.01.041.02. The Commission
Secretary will subsequently issue a Notice of Parties in this case.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOPS
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission intends to convene two
informal public workshops. The purpose of the informal public workshops is to facilitate
negotiated rulemaking in which all interested parties seek consensus on the proposed rule
changes. The first public workshop is scheduled for THURSDAY" OCTOBER 21" 2004"
CONVENING AT 9:00 A.M. MST AT THE COMMISSION'S HEARING ROOM" 472
WEST WASHINGTON STREET" BOISE" IDAHO (1QID 334-0300
The second public workshop is scheduled for TUESDAY" OCTOBER 26" 2004 AT
9:00 A.M. PST AT THE KOOTENAI COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING" ROOM
IB" 451 GOVERNMENT WAY" COEUR D' ALENE" IDAHO For each proposed rule
change, workshop participants may discuss the reasons for the proposed changes, the advantages
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NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOPSORDER NO. 29573
and disadvantages of the change, and alternatives to the proposed changes. Any person desiring
to participate in this negotiated rulemaking may attend either of the two public workshops set out
above.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all public workshops 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 the division at the public workshops may ask the Commission to provide a sign
language interpreter or other assistance at the workshop. The request for assistance must be
received at least five (5) working days before the workshop by contacting the Commission
Secretary at:
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
[phone] (Telephone)
[phone] (FAX)
Mail: secretary~puc.state.id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be
conducted pursuant to the Commission s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq. The
Commission has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to Title 61 of the Idaho Code and more
specifically Idaho Code ~~ 61-302, 61-303, 61-307, 61-503, 61-507, and 61-515.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Idaho Community Action Network's Petition for
Rule Change be processed as a negotiated rulemaking. As set out above, the Commission invites
interested persons to participate at either of the two informal public workshops. Additional
workshops may be scheduled at a later date. The Commission anticipates that it will invite
public comments at the completion of the workshops.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all petitions to formally intervene in this matter be
filed with the Commission Secretary no later than September 21 , 2004. Utilities shall file their
list of representatives no later than September 21 , 2004.
NOTICE OF PETITION
NOTICE OF NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOPSORDER NO. 29573
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this
&...~
day of August 2004.
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
Commissioner Hansen Dissents Without Opinion
DENNIS S. HANSEN, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
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NOTICE OF PETITION
N OTI CE OF NEGOTIATED R ULEMAKIN G
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOPSORDER NO. 29573