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PUCN approves Steamboat Springs Water Works surcharge, emergency reserve fund
Summary
The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada approved Steamboat Springs Water Works Inc.'s stipulation to impose a customer surcharge and create an emergency cash reserve to fund mandated chlorination equipment, isolation valves and future repairs, the commission's hearing officer said.
The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada voted to accept a stipulation and grant Steamboat Springs Water Works Inc.'s application to impose a customer surcharge and establish an emergency cash reserve fund.
Hearing Officer Crano told the commission the application (Docket No. 20496) seeks funds to install an automated chlorination system and isolation valves, and to establish an emergency reserve. Crano said the company reported six water main breaks over the last three years that cost about $134,000 to repair and that the automated chlorinators are required by the Northern Nevada Public Health Division. Crano said the utility has several future projects estimated at "a little over $5,000,000" and currently lacks cash reserves.
"The surcharge and a surcharge fund account will accrue emergency funds that will allow Steamboat to access money for identified repairs and build up cash reserve for unanticipated repairs and maintenance and also shows the State Revolving Fund Board or other potential investors ... a way to pay back any loans," Crano said.
Under the parties' stipulation, the recommended monthly surcharges described in the hearing record include $35 per month for each of 272 single-family residential customers and $15 per month for each of 29 Brookside Mobile Home Park customers. The hearing record also lists a commercial surcharge amount in the phrasing "2 50 a month for 2 of the other commercial customers"; the transcript wording of that commercial surcharge was unclear in the oral presentation and the written stipulation text in the docket should be consulted for the precise commercial rate.
Chair Haley Williamson moved to accept the stipulation and grant the application as outlined by the hearing officer. Commissioner Brown seconded. Commissioners Cordova, Brown and Williamson each responded "aye" and the motion carried.
Docket No. 20496 now proceeds under the commission's order adopting the stipulation; the hearing officer said she was available for questions and the commission issued the appropriate order as proposed. The commission record shows the utility has been placed on the State Revolving Fund priority list, which may affect financing options for the projects mentioned in the filing.
The commission's action authorizes the surcharge and the creation of the reserve fund as described in the stipulation. For exact surcharge amounts for commercial customers and the final order text, interested parties should consult Docket No. 20496 in the commission's docketing system.
