Order 15676 - Pascoag Fire District: Compliance Order
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN RE: PASCOAG FIRE DISTRICT'S
RESTRUCTURING PLAN FILING,
PURSUANT TO R.I.G.L. SECTION 39-1-27.
DOCKET NO. 2516
IN RE: PASCOAG FIRE DISTRICT'S
APPLICATION TO CHANGE RATES.
DOCKET NO. 2688
COMPLIANCE ORDER
On September 30, 1997, the Pascoag Fire District ("Pascoag" or "District") filed a Restructuring Plan ("Plan") with the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission ("Commission") in accordance with the requirements of Rhode Island General Laws, Section 39-1-27, as contained within the Utility Restructuring Act of 1996 ("URA" or the "Act"). The Plan included, inter alia, proposed methodologies for calculating transition, transmission and standard offer charges -- required under their URA.
Subsequently, on January 23, 1998, Pascoag filed an application with the Commission seeking a general increase in its existing rate schedules. Pascoag's rate filing was offered for a July 1, 1998 effective date and was designed to generate total revenues in the amount of $4,167,436. This request, if granted, would have increased Pascoag's present revenue collections by $217,500 or approximately 5.5 percent.
On June 30, 1998, the Commission issued a final report and order in this consolidated docket. The Commission's order approved an annual increase in retail distribution revenues of $160,000 for a total retail distribution cost of service of $1,317,548 (Order No. 15634). The Commission also approved transition, transportation and standard offer rate calculation methodologies proffered jointly by the District and the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers ("Division") in the form of a stipulated settlement (Id.).
Based on these findings, the Commission directed Pascoag to: "...file revised tariff pages reflective of the approved rates" and to "...file transition, transmission and standard offer rate calculations in accordance with the methodologies approved herein for charges to be effective on bills rendered on and after August 1, 1998" (Id., pp. 67-68).
On July 31, 1998, Pascoag filed retail distribution tariffs; and transition, transmission and standard offer rates in accordance with the Commission's order and directives. The Division reviewed the compliance filing and expressed support for approval.
The Commission has reviewed the District's compliance rates filing and finds it reasonable and in compliance with Order No. 15634.
Accordingly, it is
That the Pascoag Fire District's July 31, 1998 compliance tariff filing is hereby approved. The approved tariffs in issue are attached to this order and incorporated by reference.
EFFECTIVE AT PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ON JULY 31, 1998, PURSUANT TO AN OPEN MEETING DECISION. WRITTEN ORDER ISSUED ON AUGUST 26, 1998.
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
James J. Malachowski, Chairman
Kate F. Racine, Commissioner
Brenda K. Gaynor, Commissioner
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