20170309notice_of_application.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
March 9,2017
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION )
OF FALLS WATER COMPANY,INC.FOR )CASE NO.FLS-W-17-O1
AUTHORIZATION TO BUILD A NEW )
WATER SOURCE,AND ACCESS TO THE )NOTICE OF APPLICATION
SPECIAL PLANT RESERVE ACCOUNT )
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on February 10,2017,Falls Water Company
filed an Application requesting Commission authorization for the Company to construct an
additional well,well house,pumping equipment,and controls;and accept those expenses as rate
base in a future rate case.The Company further requested access to a “special plant reserve
fund”it created by Commission Order in 2012.See Order No.32663.The Company estimated
a total project cost of $647,215.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Falls Water is a regulated utility providing
water service under Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity No.236 to approximately
4,000 residential and commercial customers north of the City of Ammon,near Idaho Falls,in
Bonneville County.The Company’s current rates took effect on October 16,2012.Id.As part
of that rate case,the Commission criticized the Company’s decision to install costly automated
meter reading equipment without consulting with Staff beforehand,noting that the Company’s
troubling decision would have been disallowed “if the Company were a larger utility.”Id.at 11.
As a result,the Commission required that the Company establish a special plan reserve fund to
finance infrastructure projects as approved by the Commission.The Commission further stated
that it “strongly encourages the Company to consult with Commission Staff before it begins any
such projects.”Id.(emphasis in original).
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company now states that it needs the new
well to comply with Idaho Department of Environmental Quality water pressure requirements.
The Company requested that this Application be processed by Modified Procedure,but did not
request an effective date.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application and supporting documents
have been filed with the Commission and are available for public inspection during regular
business hours at the Commission offices.The Application is also available on the
Commission’s web site at wIcjçlahgQv.Click on the “File Room”tab at the top of the
NOTICE OF APPLICATION I
page,scroll down to the type of ‘Open Water Cases,”and then 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,including Idaho
Code §61-502 and -507.The Commission may enter any final Order consistent with its
authority under Title 61.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Commission Staff will recommend further
procedure and scheduling based on further investigation and assessment of the Company’s filing.
DATED at Boise,Idaho this 1 day of March 2017.
Diane M.Hanian
Commission Secretary
N:FLS-W-17-01_bk
NOTICE OF APPLICATION 2