20190531notice_of_application_order_no_34347.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
May 31,2019
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION )CASE NO.BCS-W-19-01
OF GEM STATE WATER COMPANY FOR )DIA-W-19-01
APPROVAL OF ACQUISITIONOF THE )
ASSETS AND TRANSFER OF THE CPCN'S )NOTICE OF APPLICATION
OF DIAMOND BAR ESTATES AND BAR )
CIRCLE S WATER )NOTICE OF
)MODIFIED PROCEDURE
)ORDER NO.34347
On April 29,2019,Gem State Water Company,LLC ("Gem State Water"or
"Company")filed an Application seeking approval of the Company's acquisition of the assets of
Diamond Bar Estates,L.L.C.("Diamond Bar")and Bar Circle "S"Water,Inc.("Bar Circle")and
the transfer of each Company's respective certificate of public convenience and necessity
("CPCN")to Gem State Water.
The Commission now issues this Notice of Application and Notice of Modified
Procedure setting comment and reply deadlines.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that Northwest Natural Gas Company is a 160-year
old natural gas utility that serves customers in the Pacific Northwest.As part of a recent
reorganization,Northwest Natural Gas Company formed the Northwest Natural Holding
Company,which holds companies includingNW Natural Water Company,LLC and its subsidiary,
NW Natural Water of Idaho,LLC.In 2018,the Commission approved NW Natural Water
Company,LLC's acquisition of an Idaho water utility.See Order No.34103 (approving NW
Natural Water Company,LLC's acquisition of Falls Water Company).
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Gem State Water is a whollyowned subsidiary
of NW Natural Water of Idaho,LLC,which is a whollyowned subsidiary of NW Natural Water
Company,LLC.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Gem State Water has applied to the
Commission for authorityto acquire the assets and CPCN's of two Idaho water utilities,Diamond
Bar and Bar Circle.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34347 1
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Diamond Bar is a regulated water utility that
serves about 46 customers under CPCN No.413 in or near Kootenai County,Idaho.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Bar Circle is a regulated water utility that
serves about 218 residential customers and one commercial customer under CPCN No.296 in or
near Kootenai County,Idaho.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Gem State Water is not requesting any changes
to rates,rate structure,or other charges in this Application and states that any future changes will
be based on prudentlyincurred capital expendituresand other accepted ratemaking principles.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application is available for public
inspection during regular business hours at the Commission's office.These documents are also
available on the Commission's web site at www.gue.idaho.gov.Click on the "File Room"tab at
the top of the page,then select "Water Cases"and click on the case number as shown on the front
of this document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held
pursuant to the Commission's jurisdiction under Title 61 of the Idaho Code and specifically Idaho
Code §§61-502 and 61-503.
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.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined that the public
interest may not require a formal hearing in this matter,and that it will proceed under Modified
Procedure pursuant to Rules 201 through 204 of the Commission's Rules of Procedure,IDAPA
31.01.01.201 through .204.The Commission notes that Modified Procedure and written comments
have proven to be an effective means for obtaining public input and participation.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that any person desiring to state a position on this
Application may file a written comment in supportor opposition with the Commission by no
later than July 23,2019.The comment must contain a statement of reasons supporting the
comment.Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written comments.
Written comments concerning this Application shall be mailed to the Commission and the
Company at the addresses reflected below:
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34347 2
For the Idaho Public Utilities For Gem State Water Company:
Commission
Preston N.Carter
Commission Secretary Givens Pursley LLP
Idaho Public Utilities Commission 601 W.Bannock St.
PO Box 83720 Boise,ID 83702
Boise,ID 83720-0074 Email:preemcarter a en cuspursley.com
Street Address for Express Mail:
Eric W.Nelsen
472 W.Washington Street Senior Regulatory Attorney
Boise,ID 83702-5918 NW Natural
220 NW 2nd Ave.
Portland,OR 97209
Email:[e-mail]
These comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this
document.Persons desiring to submit comments via e-mail may do so by accessing the
Commission's home page located at daho gov.Click the "Consumers"tab then click
the "Case Comment or Question Form"and complete the comment form using the case number as
it appears on the front of this document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company shall file reply comments,if
necessary,by no later than July 30,2019.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are received
within the time limit set,the Commission will consider this matter on its merits and enter its Order
without a formal hearing.If written comments are received within the time limit set,the
Commission will consider them and,in its discretion,may set the same for formal hearing.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Application of the Company be processed by
Modified Procedure,Rule 201-204 (IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204).Persons interested in submitting
written comments must do so by July 23,2019.The Company may file reply comments by no
later than July 30,2019.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34347 3
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this
day of May,2019.
PAUL K I I AN R,PRESIDENT
KRIS ÏNE RAPER,CO MISSIONER
EIÛC ANDERSON,COMMISSIONER
A
Diane M.Hanian
Con1mission Secretary
1:\Legal\WATER\BCS-W-19-01 and DIA-W-19-Ol\BCSW1901_DIAW1901_nteapp mod proc_ej doex
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34347 4