20051020notice of modified procedure.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
October 20, 2005
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF BITTERROOT WATER COMPANY FOR
AUTHORITY TO INCREASE ITS RATES
NOTICE OF
MODIFIED PROCEDURE
CASE NO. BIT-O5-
NOTICE OF
COMMENT DEADLINE
On June 15, 2005, Bitterroot Water Company, Inc. (Bitterroot; Company) filed an
Application with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (Commission) requesting a change in its
tariff rates from a metered base rate of $20 per month to a metered base rate of $45 per month.
No change is proposed in the commodity charge per 1 000 gallons of water consumed in excess
of 15 000 gallons per month. According to the Application, the proposed increase is to help
offset the increasing costs associated with the operation, maintenance and capital improvements
to the water system.
Bitterroot is a regulated water utility providing water service under Certificate of
Public Convenience and Necessity No. 319 to approximately 116 customers in Kootenai County,
Idaho. The Company s water rates were last adjusted in 1999. Reference Order No. 28121.
Bitterroot contends that in the last 12 months, the water system has been
systematically reviewed and upgraded to maintain compliance with increasingly tougher
government standards for water quality.The increased operating expenses, the Company
contends, are largely out of its control. Rising power costs play the biggest role in recent
operating expense increases. Bitterroot's Application is accompanied by financial schedules and
engineering information.
On June 30, 2005, the Commission issued a Notice of Application in Case No. BIT-
T -05-1. The Commission is informed that Commission Staff has completed its investigation and
audit of Company books. The Commission notes that Staff has scheduled a November 2, 2005
public workshop for customers on the Company s Application.
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that Bitterroot's revenue requirement and every
component of it, both rate base and expense, are at issue. The Commission may grant, deny or
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT DEADLINE
modify the revenue requirement requested and may find that a revenue requirement different
from that proposed is just, fair and reasonable. IDAP A 31.01.01.124.01.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the rates and charges for Bitterroot's
customers are at issue, and every component of every existing and proposed rate and charge is at
issue. The Commission may approve, reject or modify the rates and charges proposed and may
find that rates and charges different from that proposed by any party are just, fair and reasonable.
IDAPA 31.01.01.124.02.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the tariffs, practices, rules and regulations
service, instrumentalities, equipment, facilities, classifications and customer relations of the
utility are at issue and the Commission may address any of them in its Order. IDAP A
31.01.01.124.02.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has reviewed the filings of
record in Case No. BIT - W -05-1. The Commission preliminarily finds that the public interest in
this matter may not require a technical hearing to consider the issues presented and that the
issues raised by the Company s filing may be processed under Modified Procedure, i.e., by
written submission rather than by hearing. Reference Commission Rules of Procedure, IDAP A
31.01.01.201-204.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the deadline for filing written comments or
protests with respect to Bitterroot's Application and the use of Modified Procedure in Case No.
BIT-05-1 is Wednesday, November 16,2005.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the deadline for Company reply comments
is Wednesday, November 23,2005.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are
received within the deadline, the Commission may consider the matter on its merits and may
enter its Order without a formal hearing. If comments or protests are filed within the deadline
the Commission will consider them and in its discretion may set the matter for hearing or may
decide the matter and issue its Order based on the written positions before it. Reference IDAP A
31.01.01.204.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that written comments concerning Case No. BIT-
W -05-1 should be mailed to the Commission and the Company at the addresses reflected below.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT DEADLINE
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
Bitterroot Water Company, Inc.
PO Box 1527
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83816-1527
Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W. Washington Street
Boise, ID 83702-5983
All 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 www.puc.idaho.gov . Click the "Comments and Questions
icon, and complete the comment form, using the case number as it appears on the front of this
document.
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 the set the same for formal
hearing.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application in Case No. BIT-05-
together with financial schedules and engineering information may be viewed
www.puc.idaho.gov by clicking on "File Room" and "Water Cases.It may also be viewed
during regular business hours at the Commission s offices, 472 W. Washington Street, Boise
Idaho and at the business office of Bitterroot Water Company, 24461 Old Highway 95 N., Athol
Idaho.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT DEADLINE
DATED at Boise, Idaho this /qtA day of October 2005.
PAUL KJEL:Cf\NDER, PRESIDENT
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ENNIS S. HANSEN, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
Je D. Jewell
ission Secretary
N:BIT-05-01 sw2
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT DEADLINE