20191227Notice_of_Application_Order_No_34516.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
December 27,2019
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF GEM STATE WATER )CASE NO.GSW-W-19-01COMPANY,LLC'S APPLICATION FOR )APPROVAL OF ACQUISITIONOF THE )NOTICE OF APPLICATIONASSETSOFTHEWATERBUSINESSOF)HAPPY VALLEY WATER SYSTEM INC.)NOTICE OF
AND BITTERROOT WATER CO.,INC.)MODIFIED PROCEDURE
)ORDER NO.34516
On November 18,2019,Gem State Water Company,LLC (Gem State Water)applied
to the Commission for approval of its acquisition of the water business assets of Happy Valley
Water System,Inc.(Happy Valley)and Bitterroot Water Co.,Inc.(Bitterroot).The Company also
asked for approvalto transfer Happy Valley and Bitterroot's certificates of public convenience and
necessity to Gem State Water.
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 Happy Valley is a regulated water utility that
services approximately 27 residential customers in north Idaho.Bitterroot is a regulated water
utility that services approximately 160 residential customers in north Idaho.The same persons own
Happy Valley and Bitterroot.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Gem State Water states the transfer of
ownership will not result in a change to Happy Valley and Bitterroot's rates.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Gem State Water is an Idaho limited liability
company created to own and operate water utilities in Idaho.Gem State Water,through its parent
companies,is owned by Northwest Natural Holding Company.
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.guc.idaho.gov.Click on the "File Room"tab at
the top of the page,scroll down to "Open Water Cases,"and then click on the case number shown
in the caption to this document.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34516 1
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 §§61-501,61-502,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 31.01.01.000et 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 must file a written comment in support or opposition with the Commission by
February 19,2020.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 concerning this Application shall be mailed to the Commission and the Company at the
addresses reflected below:
For the Idaho Public Utilities For Gem State Water:
Commission
Commission Secretary Preston N.Carter
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Givens Pursley LLP
PO Box 83720 601 W.Bannock St.
Boise,ID 83720-0074 Boise,ID 83702
Email:i u 4
Street Address for Express Mail:
11331 W.Chinden Blvd.
Building 8,Suite 201-A Eric W.Nelsen
Boise,Idaho 83714 Senior Regulatory Attorney
NW Natural
220 NW 2nd Ave.
Portland,OR 97209
Email:Eric.Nelsen nwnaturaLeom
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34516 2
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 .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 must file any reply comments by
February 26,2020.
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 February 19,2020.The Company must file any reply comments by
February 26,2020.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34516 3
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this
day of December,2019.
PAUL KJELLAND ,PRESIDENT
KRIst È ÀAPER,COÅdMIŠSIONER
ERIC ANDERSON,COMMISSIONER
Diane M.Hanian
Commission Secretary
I:\Legal\WATER\GSW-W-19-01\orders\GSWW1901_nteappmod proc_mh.docx
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34516 4