HomeMy WebLinkAbout20221110News Release.pdfldaho Public Utilities Commission Bnd Liltlc, Goanror
P.0. Bor 8720,8obr,lD E3720{071 Eric
John Chrtbum, Conmiesioncr
foha & tlrnmond,!r, Commirsioner
Case No. GSW-W-22-01
Order No. 35580
Contact: Adam Rush
Office: (208) 334-0339
E-mail : adam.rush@puc. idaho. gov
NEWS RELEASE CORRECTION: Commission will host workshop on Nov. 15 regarding Gem
State Water application to change rates
News Directors, Editors: The press release below is being corrected to reflect an effective date
of Sept. 1,2022, and not a retroactive date. The correction is in the fifttr paragraph.
BOISE (Nov. 10,2022) - The Idatro Public Utilities Commission is holding a public workshop
on Nov. 15 to share information regarding an application from Gem State Water Company to
change its rates for water service.
The workshop will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Pacific Time at the Molstead Library
building's Todd Lecture Hall on the North Idaho College Campus, 1000 West Garden Avenue,
Coeur d'Alene.
If the application is approved by the commission, monthly rates for customers would change
based on the diameter of their water meter and the water system they belong to. For example,
Spirit Lake
East customers (including customers formerly of the Lynnwood Estates Subdivision, would see a
monthly increase from $25.55 to $35.00. Bar Circle "S" customers (including customers
formerly of Diamond Bar), would see a decrease from $41.00 per month to $35.00 per month.
This is the first general rate case for Gem State Water. The utility consists of Bitterroot Water
Company, Bar Circle "S" Water Company, Spirit Lake East Water, Happy Valley Water
Systems, Troy Hoffman Water Corporation, Diamond Bar Estates and Lynnwood Estates
Subdivision. Rate increases were approved for individual companies from 2006 through 2019
Gem State requested an effective date of Sept. 1,2022. This was suspended by Order No. 35498,
which said the proposed rate changes were
suspended for 30 days plus five months or until the public utilities commission issues an earlier
order accepting, rejecting, or modifuing the
proposed rate changes.
The rate changes would increase Gem State's revenue by $402,000, which represents an increase
of 69.9 percent. The public utilities commission may approve, reject, or modifu the proposed
rates and charges and may find rates and charges different from those proposed are just, fair and
reasonable.
Written comments on Gem State's application are being accepted until Jan. 11,2023. Comments
are required to be filed by e-mail unless e-mail is unavailable. To submit comments via e-mail,
please visit the commission's webpage at puc.idaho.gov. Click on the "Case Comment Form"
link toward the top left of the page. Please use case number GSW-W-22-01 when filling out the
form. Any comments should also be sent to Gem State Water at the e-mail addresses listed
below. If e-mail is unavailable, comments may be mailed to the commission and Gem State
Water at these addresses:
For the Idaho Public Utilities Commission:
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
secretary@puc.idaho. gov
Street Address for Express Mail:
11331 W. Chinden Blvd.
Building 8, Suite 201-A
Boise,ID 83714
For Gem State Water:
Eric Nelsen
Senior Regulatory Attorney
Adam Rue
Rates and Regulatory Program Manager
Northwest Natural
250 SW Taylor St.
Portland, OR 97204-3038
Eric.Nelsen@nwnafural. com
Adam. Rue@nwnatural. com
For more information on Gem State Water's application, please visit:
h@s ://puc.idaho. gov/case/Detail sl 689 4.