20051228press release.htm

./122805_FlsWater_files/filelist.xml IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
9.35 pt 2 IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Case No. FLS-W-05-01 December 28, 2005 Contact: Gene Fadness (208) 334-0339

Website:
http://www.puc.idaho.gov/www.puc.idaho.gov

Commission taking public comments in Falls Water case

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission is taking public comment and will conduct a workshop and a public hearing regarding a request by Falls Water to increase rates by an average 48.2 percent.

Falls Water, with about 2,832 connections, serves a population of about 9,350 in Bonneville County, northeast of Idaho Falls. Falls Water is seeking to increase its annual revenue requirement by $258,363. The company claims the rate change is warranted to cover increased operation and maintenance costs due to customer growth as well as added costs to replace aging infrastructure. The company has hired two additional full-time employees and one part-time employee. Falls Water is requesting an effective date of April 15, 2006 for new rates.

If the proposed rate changes are approved, the company proposes the following annual increases be implemented for these customer classes:

--Metered residential, from $179.49 per year to $295.55, or 64.7 percent.

--Metered commercial, from $323.46 per year to $569.75, or 76.1 percent.

--Non-metered residential, from $210 per year to $231, or 10 percent. (The applicant seeks to phase out this customer class of about 585 customers and install meters.)

--Multi-family residential, from $181.64 per year to $344.82, or 89.8 percent.

Commission staff has completed an audit of the company’s financial records and inspected its physical plant. Staff will conduct a public workshop on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. in the Idaho Falls City Council chambers, 140 S. Capital Ave.

Following the workshop, commission staff will file comments by March 3. That is also the deadline for public comments. Then the commission will conduct a public hearing on March 15, also at 7 p.m. at the City Council chambers.

The January workshop, more informal than the hearing, will allow customers to ask questions of commission staff. During the March hearing, commissioners will hear formal testimony from customers. Commissioners have authority to deny, accept or modify the company’s proposal.

Those wishing to submit written comments must do so by no later than March 3. Comments are accepted via e-mail by accessing the commission’s homepage at
http://www.puc.idaho.gov/www.puc.idaho.gov and clicking on "Comments & Questions." Fill in the case number (FLS-W-05-01) and enter your comments. Comments can also be mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 or faxed to [phone].