20190822notice_of_application_order_no_34421.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
August 22,2019
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION )CASE NO.FLS-W-19-01
OF FALLS WATER CO.,INC.FOR )
APPROVAL OF ACQUISITIONOF THE )NOTICE OF APPLICATION
ASSETS OF THE WATER BUSINESS OF )
TAYLOR MOUNTAIN WATER AND SEWER )NOTICE OF
DISTRICT )MODIFIED PROCEDURE
)ORDER NO.34421
On August 5,2019,Falls Water Co.,Inc.("Falls Water"or "Company")filed an
Application seeking approval of the Company's acquisition of TaylorMountain Water and Sewer
District'st assets,and amendment of the Company's Certificate of Public Convenience and
Necessity ("CPCN")to include the area served by the District.
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 Falls Water.Order No.34103.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Falls Water is a whollyowned subsidiary of
NW Natural Water Company,LLC.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Falls Water seeks to acquire the District's
assets.The Company also seeks to amend its CPCN to add the area served by the District to the
Company's service area.
1 An affiliateof Falls Water,Gem State Infrastructure,LLC,is acquiring the assets of the District's sewer system.
As the Commission does not have regulatory authority over sewer systems,Falls Water's Applicationcovers only
the proposed acquisition of the water business assets.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34421 1
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the District is a special purpose water and
sewer district under Chapter 32,Title 42 of Idaho Code,and serves about 158 residential customers
and one commercial customer.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Falls Water is not requesting any changes to
rates,rate structure,or other charges in this Application,and states that any future changes would
be based on prudentlyincurred capital expenditures and other accepted ratemakingprinciples.
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.puc.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
October 30,2019.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 concerningthis Application shall be mailed to the Commission and the Company at the
addresses reflected below:
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34421 2
For the Idaho Public Utilities For Falls Water Co.,Inc.:
Commission
Commission Secretary Preston N.Carter
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Charlie S.Baser
PO Box 83720 Givens Pursley LLP
Boise,ID 83720-0074 601 W.Bannock St.
Boise,ID 83702
Street Address for Express Mail:Email:prestoncarter givensgursley.com
charliebaser givenspursley.com
472 W.Washington Street
Boise,ID 83702-5918
Eric W.Nelsen
Senior Regulatory Attorney
NW Natural
220 NW 2nd Ave.
Portland,OR 97209
Email:Erip_Re_Isenggnwnatural.cam
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 www.puc.idaho.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 November 6,2019.
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 Company's Application be processed by Modified
Procedure,Rule 201-204 (IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204).Persons interested in submitting written
comments must do so by October 30,2019.The Company may file reply comments by November
6,2019.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34421 3
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this
day of August,2019.
PAUL K IbENT
KR TINE RAPER,UÒMMISSIONER
ERIC ANDERSON,COMMISSIONER
Diane M.Haman
Commission Secretary
L\Legal\WATER\FLS-W-19-01\Orders\flswl901_nteapp mod proc mh docx
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34421 4