20171117notice_of_investigation_order_no_33929.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
November 17,2017
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE INVESTIGATION )CASE NO.GNR-W-17-01
INTO WHETHER VP,INC.IS A PUBLIC )UTILITY SUBJECT TO REGULATION BY )NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION
THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES )COMMISSION )ORDER NO.33929
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has received inquiry regarding the regulatory
status of VP,Inc.,a private water and sewer company located near Sandpoint,Idaho.The
Company has not been regulated by the Commission and does not possess a certificate of public
convenience and necessity.
Initial inquiry led Staff to conclude that the Company may in fact be operating as a public
utility subject to Commission regulation,and Staff requested the Commission open an
investigation into the Company.See Idaho Code §§61-526,-527,-528.We find it reasonable to
conduct an investigation pursuant to our statutory authority and jurisdiction under the Idaho
Public Utilities Law,specifically Idaho Code §§61-612 and 61-501.The purpose of our
investigation is to determine if VP,Inc.should be a regulated utility pursuant to Idaho Code and
if any steps should be taken by the Company.
Staff investigation should include whether or not VP,Inc.is a public utility and should
be issued a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity,and what further steps,if any,the
utility should take to comply with Idaho law.
We direct VP,Inc.to respond to discovery questions and inquiries made by Commission
Staff.Once Staff completes its investigation,or at the appropriate time,it shall make a
recommendation to the Commission regarding the Company's status,a requirement of a
Certificate of Public Convenienceand Necessity,and any further recommendations regarding the
adequacy of service,and rate setting.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Commission Staff shall conduct an investigation into the
status of VP,Inc.At the appropriate time,Staff shall provide a recommendation to the
Commission for further action,if any.
ORDER NO.33929 1
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that VP,Inc.respond to Staff inquiries regarding
compliance with Title 61 of the Idaho Code.VP,Inc.is directed to cooperate with the
Commission Staff's investigation of this matter.Commission Staff is directed to issue
production requests,written interrogatories or other forms of discovery as well as pursue its
statutory right to examine and audit the records.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this N
day of November 2017.
PAUL KJELLANDE PRESIDENT
KRËTINERAP MMISSIONER
ERIC ANDERSON,COMMISSIONER
Diane M.Hanian
Commission Secretary
I:\Legal\l ORDERS\GNRWl70Lbk Investigation Order.DOC
ORDER NO.33929 2