20200930Public Workshop.pdf

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Workshop Participation
Online:
To open chat in WebEx, please select the icon.
Type questions and comments in the chat box;
Please use the “all panelists” option when using chat to ensure your
message will be seen.
To speak, click on the hand in the lower right corner by your name.
On the phone:
*3 is the command to raise and lower your hand;
When your line has been un-muted, you will hear an
announcement indicating that.
This PowerPoint is available on the commission website at puc.idaho.gov.
*This workshop is being recorded*
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To File a Comment
•Mail letters to:
•Email comments to: [e-mail]
•Written comments can be filed electronically via the
Commission website at: puc.idaho.gov. Look for the Case
Comment Form under "Consumers" on the website.
•Comment are limited to first 2,500 characters.
•Reference case number FLS-W-20-04.
•Comments are due by OCTOBER 15, 2020.
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0074
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Introduction
Purpose of Public Workshop
▪Summarize the application
▪Describe the Commission and its procedure
when deciding cases involving the sale of a
regulated utility
▪Receive input from customers
▪Answer questions
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•Established in 1913. Idaho Code Sections 61, 62, and 63.
•The Commission regulates Idaho's investor-owned utilities, ensuring
adequate service and reasonable rates.
•The Commission is made up of three commissioners appointed by the
Governor. The Commissioners make the decisions in each case.
•Commission Staff is made up of Auditors, Compliance Investigators,
Engineers, and Technical Analysts.
•Commission Staff is conducting this workshop. Commission Staff is one of
the parties in the case providing comments to the Commissioners.
What is the Idaho Public
Utilities Commission?
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What is the Commission’s
Role?
•State law requires that the Commission meet the statutory
public interest standard that customers have adequate, safe
and reliable service at fair, just and reasonable rates.
•All Commission decisions must withstand appeals to the
State Supreme Court from either the utility or customer
groups.
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Falls Water Proposal
Falls Water employees will assume operations
Tony Wise, Operations Manager
Scott Bruce, General Manager
No change in rates at this time
Additional prudently incurred capital expenditures
will be treated as 100% equity
Until the company reaches 50%/50% debt and equity
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Benefits of Falls Water Acquisition
24-hour response to repairs and quality issues
Access to capital
Falls Water and its parent company NW Natural Water
of Idaho have significant access to funds to support the
system
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Staff Analysis
Section 61-328 has three criteria:
Public Interest
Bona fide intent and financial ability to run the system
Rates do not increase due to the transaction
Note that this generally applies only to electric
utilities, but Staff also uses this as a basis of the
analysis for all utility acquisitions.
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Consumer Assistance
•Utility Compliance Investigators assist customers to resolve
issues and or disputes with the company.
•Investigators monitor compliance with laws, commission
rules, and the company tariff.
•In every case, Staff reviews issues, reviews previous
complaints, investigates consumer issues raised in the case,
and reviews submitted comments from customers.
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To File a Comment
•Mail letters to:
•Email comments to: [e-mail]
•Written comments can be filed electronically via the
Commission website at: puc.idaho.gov. Look for the Case
Comment Form under "Consumers" on the website.
•Comment are limited to first 2,500 characters.
•Reference case number FLS-W-20-04.
•Comments are due by OCTOBER 15, 2020.
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0074
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Idaho Public Utilities Homepage
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Comments Webpage
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Want to Testify?
•Encourage to notify Adam Rush:
•Call 208-334-0339
•Email:[e-mail]
•Include:
•Name
•Telephone Number You Will Be Calling In On
•FLS-W-20-04 Public Hearing
•Deadline:
•October 7, 2020 by 4:00 p.m.
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