Website: www.puc.idaho.gov
Parties
propose settlement to United Water case
Parties
representing the staff of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission and United
Water Idaho have reached a settlement in United Water’s rate case that, if
approved, would result in an increase of about $3 per month to an average
residential water bill. Annually, the proposed increase is from $327.19 to
$363.12
Last February,
United Water asked for a 17.91 percent increase to raise an additional $5.9
million in annual revenue. Today’s settlement proposes a 10.98 percent increase
in rates and a $3.6 million annual revenue increase.
United Water
also agrees to dismiss its state Supreme Court case against the commission if
the settlement is approved. United Water appealed the commission’s decision to
grant an 8.08 percent increase in the company’s 2004 rate case. In that case,
United Water initially sought a 21.46 percent increase.
The proposed
increase allows the company to recover some expenses disallowed in the 2004
case. The commission denied some capital investment in 2004 because the
improvements they financed were not in place long enough for the commission to
accurately determine their expense as well as revenue potential.
The commission
is accepting public comment in support or opposition to the settlement through
July 12. On that same date, the commission will conduct both a technical
hearing and a public hearing. The technical hearing will be at 9:30 a.m. in the
commission hearing room, 472 W. Washington St. in Boise. Public testimony will
be accepted at the public hearing at 7:30 p.m., also in the commission hearing
room.
The
stipulation characterizes the settlement as a “fair resolution to several
disputed issues between the parties, recognizing that neither party was likely
to prevail on every issue at hearing.”
Should the
commission decide to reject any part of the stipulation or imposes any
additional material conditions, the staff and the company reserve the write to
withdraw from the settlement within 14 days.
United Water
serves about 80,000 households in Boise and the surrounding area. In its
application, the company said the increase was needed to recover expenses for
more than $2 million in wellhead treatment, $1.5 million in water storage
facilities and $4.8 million in infrastructure including seven miles of water
mains, 700 water services and 12,000 meters.
Those
wishing to submit comments must do so by no later than July 12. Comments are
accepted via e-mail by accessing the commission’s homepage at www.puc.idaho.gov
and clicking on "Comments & Questions." Fill in the case number
(UWI-W-06-02) and enter your comments. Comments can also be mailed to P.O. Box
83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 or faxed to (208) 334-3762.
Documents related to the case are available on
the commission’s Web site. Click on the water icon, then “Open Water Cases,”
and scroll down to Case No. UWI-W-06-02.