Website: www.puc.idaho.gov
Pre-hearing conference, workshop set for Kootenai Heights customers
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission will conduct a
public workshop for the customers of the Kootenai Heights Water System on
Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. at Kootenai City Hall. Earlier in the same day, a
pre-hearing conference will be conducted at the Sandpoint law firm of Finney,
Finney & Finney.
Kootenai Heights applied to the commission in August of
2005 seeking a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, which would
declare the company a public utility and put it under the jurisdiction of the
commission.
Since then the company has maintained it is not a public
utility and does not seek commission jurisdiction. Commission staff has stated
Kootenai Heights is a public utility because it offers a monopoly service
(customers inside the company’s territory do not have another viable option for
obtaining potable water) and because the developer, not customers, has ultimate
control of the company.
The Kootenai City Hall, location of the 7 p.m. workshop,
is at 204 Spokane St. The law office of Finney, Finney & Finney, location
of the 1:30 p.m. pre-hearing conference, is in Suite 317 of the Power House
Building at 120 E. Lake St. in Sandpoint.