Idaho Public Utilities Commission

Case No. MUR-W-10-01, Notice of Public Workshop

August 4, 2010

Contact: Gene Fadness (208) 334-0339, 890-2712

PUC to conduct telephonic hearing for Murray Water customers

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission will conduct a telephonic public hearing on Thursday, Aug. 12, at 7:30 p.m. Pacific Time regarding a rate increase request by the owners of Murray Water Works Systems.

Murray Water Works, which serves about 30 customers in the Shoshone County community of Murray, is seeking to increase the monthly fee for residential customers to $40 per month and commercial customers to $60 per month. Both groups currently pay $26 per month. The company is also asking for an increase in hook-up fees from $800 to $2,000 plus parts and labor and a new monthly charge of $5 for inactive, seasonal customers.

Murray Water asserts that certain capital improvements including new meters are needed to isolate leaks and control summer use. The company also says it has invested $15,000 and 360 hours of labor installing a new water main in Murray. This is the company’s first rate case since 2003.

The purpose of the Aug. 12 hearing is to take public testimony from customers. The three commissioners who will decide the case will be available to hear testimony from customers who call in on the toll-free number.

Those wishing to listen to the proceedings or offer testimony may dial toll-free 1-800-920-7487. You will be asked to enter a “participant code,” with is 76373262. Participants are asked to place their calls between 7:15 p.m. and the start of the 7:30 p.m. hearing, although calls will be accepted after the hearing starts. The process will then continue as follows:

After you enter your participant code and are welcomed into the meeting, you may listen to the entire hearing. The phones of all those listening will be muted except for the person testifying.
If you would like to testify, press *1 (star one) on the phone key pad at any time and you will be placed in a queue of those wanting to testify. When it is your turn to testify, a prompt will say, “Ask your question.” At that time, you will be sworn in and asked to state your name and address and offer your testimony. If, after indicating you want to testify you decide against testifying, push the # (pound) key and you will be taken out of the queue.
Those providing testimony are asked to eliminate any background noise (TV, radio, etc.)
At the conclusion of your testimony you may be asked questions.

The telephonic hearings make it possible for customers to testify without having to leave the comfort of their homes. The telephonic hearings also save money by eliminating the considerable expense of time and travel for the commissioners and staff.

For those who may not want to testify but have comments, the commission is also accepting written comments. Comments can be submitted via e-mail by accessing the commission’s homepage at www.puc.idaho.gov and clicking on "Comments & Questions." Fill in the case number (MUR-W-10-01) and enter your comments. Comments can also be mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 or faxed to (208) 334-3762.

A full text of the commission’s order, along with other documents related to this case, is available on the website. Click on “File Room” and then on “Water Cases” and scroll down to the above case number.