20230928Notice_of_Application_Order_No_35938.pdf

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35938 1

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
September 28, 2023
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

On September 1, 2023, Capitol Water Corporation (“Company”) applied for authority to
change its Schedule No. 3 - Purchased Power Cost Adjustment (“Schedule No. 3 PPCA”) rate to
recover the electricity costs that exceeded what it collected through rates. The Company requested
its Application be processed by Modified Procedure and that the tariff changes become effective
November 15, 2022.
The Commission now issues this Notice of Application and Notice of Modified Procedure
establishing deadlines for interested parties to comment, and the Company’s reply.
BACKGROUND
The Company’s Schedule No. 3 PPCA rate provides a mechanism for the Company to
recover its cost of electricity purchased from Idaho Power Company. The Commission approved
the Company’s current base rates in 2009 in Order No. 30762 in Case No. CAP-W-08-02. At that
time, a three-year average of 1,454,401 kilowatt hours (“kWh”) of consumption was established.
The average cost to the Company was 5.19¢ per kWh for a total cost of $75,483.41. The
Commission later replaced the three-year model with an average that was based on the most recent
twelve-month period available.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that, according to the Company, the actual power costs
for calendar year 2022 were $104,877—$29,394 more than embedded in the Company’s base
rates. It is also $11,665 more than the current Schedule No. 3 rate of 2.72% was designed to
recover. Based on its calculations, the Company seeks to increase the Schedule No. 3 PPCA rate
from 2.72% to 4.51% to recover these additional power costs.
IN THE MATTER OF CAPITOL WATER
CORPORATION’S APPLICATION TO
CHANGE ITS SCHEDULE NO. 3
PURCHASED POWER COST ADJUSTMENT
RATE
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
CASE NO. CAP-W-23-01

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

NOTICE OF MODIFIED
PROCEDURE

ORDER NO. 35938
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35938 2

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED the Company’s Application includes attached
supporting materials showing its proposed changes to Schedule No. 3 and the underlying data that
the Company used in its calculations. The Company stated that its customers would be informed
of the Application through a news release included in the bills that would be mailed out on October
1, 2023. The Company further stated the news release would be provided to the Idaho Statesman
and the Idaho Business Review.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED the Company provided information about the general
use and condition of its wells. The Company also provided certain follow-up information on Well
No. 4—as Staff had previously requested information regarding Well No. 4’s unexplained 25%
increase in efficiency year-over-year.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application and supporting materials are
available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission’s office. These
documents are also available on the Commission’s website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on the
“WATER” tab, select “Open Cases,” and then locate 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. The Commission may enter
any final order consistent with its authority under Title 61.
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 it will review the case through written
submissions under the Commission’s Rules of Modified Procedure Rules 201-204 of the Idaho
Public Utilities Commission’s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204. 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 persons desiring to state a position on this
Application may file a written comment explaining why they support or oppose the Application.
Persons who would like a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written comments.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35938 3

Persons shall have until October 25, 2023, to file written comments. Comments must be filed
through the Commission’s website or by e-mail unless computer access is unavailable. To
comment electronically, please access the Commission’s website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click the
“Case Comment Form” and complete the form using the case number as it appears on the front of
this document. To file by e-mail, the customer must e-mail the comments to the Commission
Secretary and the Company at the e-mail addresses listed below. If computer access is unavailable,
then comments may be mailed to the Commission and Company at these addresses:
For the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission:

Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
[e-mail]

Street Address for Express Mail:

11331 W. Chinden Blvd.
Building 8, Suite 201-A
Boise, ID 83714
For Capitol Water Corp.:

Robert Price, President
Capitol Water Corp.
2626 N. Eldorado St.
Boise, ID 83704-5926
[e-mail]

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company must file any reply comments by
November 1, 2023.
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.
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Company’s Application be processed by Modified
Procedure, Rules 201-204. Persons interested in submitting written comments must do so by
October 25, 2023. The Company must file any reply comments by November 1, 2023.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that parties comply with Order No. 35375, issued April 21,
2022. Generally, all pleadings should be filed with the Commission electronically and will be
deemed timely filed when received by the Commission Secretary. See Rule 14.02. Service between
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35938 4

parties should continue to be accomplished electronically when possible. However, voluminous
discovery-related documents may be filed and served on CD-ROM or a USB flash drive.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 28th day of
September 2023.

ERIC ANDERSON, PRESIDENT

JOHN R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER

EDWARD LODGE, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:

Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secretary

I:\Legal\WATER\CAP-W-23-01_PCA\orders\CAPW2301_Ntc_App_Mod_md.docx