IPUC sets rate increase hearings

BLANCHARD — A pair of hearings are planned next month to take public testimony on an application from CDS Stoneridge Utilities to increase the rates it charges customers.

The utility, which serves approximately 384 residential and commercial customers in the Blanchard area, asked the Idaho Public Utilities Commission for permission to increase its rate. Utility officials said they had invested more than $900,000 in its system since 2018. To recover the investment, CDS Stoneridge asked the commission for approval to increase rates for customers by an average of 261%.

Testimony submitted at the customer hearings will become part of the record.

The first of two customer hearings will be held Wednesday, Oct. 9, starting at 5 p.m. The second hearing will be Thursday, Oct. 10, starting at 10 a.m. Both hearings will be held at the Blanchard Community Center, 685 Rusho Lane, Blanchard. In-person attendance is required to submit testimony. 

Those interested in listening to the hearing over the phone can do so by calling 1-415-655-0001 and enter meeting number 2632 798 5543 when prompted for the first hearing. The meeting number for the Oct. 10 hearing is 2634 555 0776.

The commission is accepting written comments on the utility’s application until Oct. 2. Comments are required to be filed through the commission’s website or by email unless computer access is not available. To submit comments using the commission website, please visit puc.idaho.gov and click on the “Case Comment Form” link on the upper left side of the page. Please use case number SWS-W-24-01 when filling out the form. The commenter should also include their name and address.

Email comments must be sent to the commission secretary, CDS Stoneridge and the other parties involved. Commenters should include their name, address and case number SWS-W-24-01. If computer access is not available, comments can be mailed to the commission, CDS Stoneridge and the other parties at the addresses listed below. Those submitting comments through the mail are required to include their name, address and case number SWS-W-24-01.

Email comments should be sent to: IPUC commission secretary, secretary@puc.idaho.gov; CDS Stoneridge Utilities, Jason Piskel, jpiskel@pyklawyers.com; Chan Karupiah, CDS Stoneridge Utilities, LLC, chansan@comcast.net and utilities@stoneridgeidaho.com; Randolph Lee Garrison, garrison@rmgarrison.com; SPOA, Norman Semanko, nsemanko@parsonsbehle.com, Patrick Ngalamulume, pngalamulume@parsonsbehle.com;  and SRCCOA, Brady Espeland, Bespeland@Rmedlaw.com.

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