DATE:	November 17, 2005
TO:	Director, Division of the Commission Clerk & Administrative Services (Bayó)
FROM:	Division of Economic Regulation (Wheeler) Office of the General Counsel (Brubaker)
RE:	Docket No. 050804-EI – Petition for approval of tariff revisions to allow waiver of certain service charges for customers whose premises have been damaged by natural disasters or other declared emergencies, by Gulf Power Company.
AGENDA:	11/29/05 – Regular Agenda – Tariff Filing - Interested Persons May Participate
COMMISSIONERS ASSIGNED:		All Commissioners
PREHEARING OFFICER:		Administrative
CRITICAL DATES:		12/17/05 (60-Day Suspension Date)
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:		None
FILE NAME AND LOCATION:		S:\PSC\ECR\WP\050804.RCM.DOC

 

 Case Background

 

On October 14, 2005, Gulf Power Company (Gulf) filed a petition to amend the Service Connection section of its Tariff Sheet No. 4.13.  The proposed tariff revision would allow Gulf to waive connection charges for new or existing Gulf customers affected by natural disasters or during periods of declared emergencies.

The Commission has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to Sections 366.03, 366.04, 366.05 and 366.06, Florida Statutes. 

Discussion of Issues

Issue 1: 

 Should the Commission approve Gulf Power Company's requested tariff modification to allow waiver of initial connection fees for new and existing customers who are affected by natural disasters?

Recommendation: 

 Yes.  (Wheeler)

Staff Analysis:  Currently, Gulf’s tariff requires customers to pay a $27.00 connection fee when they request service to both new and existing premises.  Gulf has proposed to modify its tariff to allow it to waive these charges for both new and existing customers whose premises have been damaged due to natural disaster or other similar conditions for which an emergency has been declared.  This waiver will thus be available both to existing Gulf customers who relocate to premises within Gulf’s territory and to new Gulf customers who relocate due to damage to their premises outside of Gulf’s territory.  

Staff believes that the proposed change is reasonable, and should be approved.  It will allow Gulf  to provide relief to those customers who have been affected by recent the hurricanes, as well as customers who are affected by future natural disasters that cause them to seek service in Gulf’s territory.

            Staff’ recommendation is consistent with the relief granted by Order No. PSC-04-0985-TRF-EI, issued October 11, 2004 in Docket Nos. 040914-EI, In re Proposed revision to waive certain connection charges during periods of natural disaster by Florida Power & Light Company; 040915-EI, In re Petition for approval of tariff revision allowing waiver of service charges for customers affected by natural disasters by Progress Energy Florida, Inc.; and 040958-EI, In re Petition for expedited approval of tariff revisions to allow waiver of service charges for customers whose electric service has been affected by natural disasters or other declared emergencies by Tampa Electric Company.

 

 

 

Issue 2: 

 Should this docket be closed?

Recommendation: 

 Yes.  If Issue 1 is approved, the tariff revision should become effective on November 29, 2005.  If a protest is filed within 21 days of the issuance of the order, the tariff should remain in effect pending resolution of the protest.  If no timely protest is filed, this docket should be closed upon the issuance of a consummating order.  (Brubaker)

Staff Analysis: 

 Yes.  If Issue 1 is approved, the tariff revision should become effective on November 29, 2005.  If a protest is filed within 21 days of the issuance of the order, the tariff should remain in effect pending resolution of the protest.  If no timely protest is filed, this docket should be closed upon the issuance of a consummating order.  (Brubaker)