Commission suspends rate case filed by northern Idaho water utility.

BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Public Utilities Commission issued an order on 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.

The commission informed CDS Stoneridge Utilities LLC that its rate case has been suspended for an additional 60 days beyond the suspension spelled out in a previous order. If approved, a new effective date for any of the utility’s rates and charges 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 needed legal representation and to provide discovery responses promptly. The order issued on 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 yet to be dismissed, and the suspension gives the utility additional time to respond to discovery requests that either need to be answered 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.

Additional information on the order issued on July 2 and the utility’s application is available at //puc.idaho.gov/case/Details/7277.