20040827Press Release.pdf

IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Case No. RUL-04-
August 27, 2004
Contact: Gene Fadness [phone]
Website: www.puc.state.id.
Workshops set to look at utility customer rules
Boise - The Idaho Public Utilities Commission will conduct two public workshops to examine
the advantages and disadvantages of some proposed changes to the customer relations rules the
commission imposes on regulated utilities.
The Idaho Community Action Network (ICAN) is seeking changes in a number of rules
including those having to do with the "winter moratorium " the December through February
period that utility customers with children, elderly, disabled or ill residents, can defer payment of
utility bills. During the moratorium, utilities are forbidden to disconnect customers who qualify.
However, when the moratorium ends, the past due utility bills must be paid.
Among other changes, ICAN wants the winter moratorium expanded to also include the months
of November and March. ICAN claims that its mostly low-income members have suffered from
rising rates and a dwindling amount of low-income energy assistance funds. "As a result, an
increasing number of families in Idaho have had problems paying utility bills and have had
service terminated " ICAN states in its petition to the commission.
The purpose of the workshops, set for Oct. 21 in Boise and Oct. 26 in Coeur d' Alene, will be to
seek consensus from all interested parties, including the utilities, on ICAN's proposed changes.
If the parties are able to agree on some rules changes, a public comment period would be opened
that may then lead to proposed rules to be considered by the Idaho Legislature. The Legislature
must approve all rule changes.
The commission emphasized that by initiating a negotiated rulemaking process, it is not
endorsing ICAN's proposed modifications. "Without addressing the merits of the proposals, the
commission recognizes that the proposed changes are significant and substantial " the
commission said in its order. Commissioner Dennis Hansen dissented from the order without
comment. In a previous meeting, Commissioner Hansen said he was comfortable with the
current rules and noted that changes could result in increased costs to all customers.
In addition to expanding the winter moratorium from three months to five months, ICAN
proposes:
to extend the period during which customers are protected from disconnection due to
serious illness or medical emergency from the current 30 days to 60 days and allow the
medical exemption to remain in place to up to one year;
to increase the minimum number of days required to provide advance notice of the intent
to disconnect service from the current 7 to 14 days;
and require disconnect notices to include information on the winter moratorium and
provide translation of those and other notices in a number of languages.
The workshops are scheduled for 9 a.m. Oct. 21 at the commission hearing room, 472 W.
Washington St. in Boise and at 9 a.m. Oct. 26 at the Kootenai County Administrative
Building, Room 1B, 451 Government Way, in Coeur d'Alene.
Those interested in intervening as an official party to the case to represent groups or entities
must file a petition to intervene by no later than Sept. 21. Already granted intervention in the
case are ICAN and all regulated water, natural gas and electric utilities.
ICAN's petition and other documents related to his case are available on the commission
Web site at www.puc.state.id.. Click on "File Room " then on "Multi-Utility Cases " and
scroll down to the Case No. RUL-04-02. Copies are also available for public inspection at
the commission s offices at 472 W. Washington St. in Boise.
END