IPUC suspends rate case filed by utility

BLANCHARD — The Idaho Public Utilities Commission issued an order July 2 requiring a northern Idaho water utility to provide proof it has hired an attorney within 30 days or face possible dismissal of a general rate case the utility filed with the commission.

CDS Stoneridge Utilities, LLC was informed by the commission that its rate case has been suspended for an additional 60 days beyond a suspension spelled out in a previous order from the commission. A new effective date for any of the utility’s rates and charges, if they were approved, would not take effect until Nov. 30, 2024.

Staff with the commission and parties involved in the case expressed concern that the utility could not adequately participate in the case because CDS Stoneridge did not have legal representation, and was not providing discovery responses in a timely manner. The order issued July 2 requires the utility to file a notice of legal representation with the commission within 30 days of the July 2 date, and to provide discovery responses to parties in the case.

The case has not been dismissed, and the suspension gives the utility additional time to respond to discovery requests that were either unanswered or inadequately answered. In addition to suspending the case, comment deadlines set in a previous order have been vacated.

CDS Stoneridge serves customers in the Blanchard, Idaho, area. It is asking for commission approval to increase rates by 261% for all classes of customers, a monthly user increase fee for all current and future customers within the utility’s service territory and a disconnect/reconnect fee increase for customers who choose to have their water turned off and turned back on at a later date.

Information: puc.idaho.gov/case/Details/7277