State of Florida		Public Service Commission Capital Circle Office Center ● 2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0850 -M-E-M-O-R-A-N-D-U-M-
DATE:	October 22, 2020
TO:	Office of Commission Clerk (Teitzman)
FROM:	Division of Economics (Hampson) Office of the General Counsel (Osborn, Crawford)
RE:	Docket No. 20200214-GU – Joint petition of Florida Public Utilities Company, Florida Public Utilities Company-Indiantown Division, Florida Public Utilities Company-Fort Meade, and the Florida Division of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation for approval of consolidation of tariffs, for modifications to retail choice transportation service programs, and to change the MACC for Florida Public Utilities Company.
AGENDA:	11/03/20 – Regular Agenda – Tariff Suspension – Participation is at the discretion of the Commission
COMMISSIONERS ASSIGNED:			All Commissioners
PREHEARING OFFICER:			Administrative
CRITICAL DATES:			11/13/20 (60-Day Suspension Date)
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:			None

Case Background

On September 14, 2020, Florida Public Utilities Company, Florida Public Utilities Company – Indiantown Division, Florida Public Utilities Company – Fort Meade (jointly, FPUC), as well as the Florida Division of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (herein all divisions jointly, Companies) filed a joint petition for approval of consolidation and modification of the Companies’ tariffs.

The Companies have proposed to consolidate each of the division’s previously approved tariffs to the extent possible without modification to any rates. Additionally, the Companies have proposed modifications including, but not limited to, increasing the maximum allowable construction cost rate for FPUC to be consistent with the other divisions and modifying the terms and conditions under which the Companies will provide transportation services to their Florida business unit customers. The Commission has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to Sections 366.03, 366.04, 366.05, and 366.06, Florida Statutes (F.S.).

Discussion of Issues

Issue 1:

 Should the Companies’ proposed revisions to their tariffs be suspended?

Recommendation: 

 Yes. Staff recommends that the proposed revisions to the tariffs be suspended to allow staff sufficient time to review the petition and gather all pertinent information in order to present the Commission with an informed recommendation on the proposed tariff revisions. (Hampson)

Staff Analysis: 

 Staff recommends that the proposed revisions to the Companies’ tariffs be suspended to allow staff sufficient time to review the petition and gather all pertinent information in order to present the Commission with an informed recommendation on the proposed tariff revisions.

Pursuant to Section 366.06(3), F.S., the Commission may withhold consent to the operation of all or any portion of a new rate schedule, delivering to the utility requesting such a change, a reason, or written statement of a good cause for doing so within 60 days. Staff believes that the reason stated above is a good cause consistent with the requirement of Section 366.06(3), F.S.

Issue 2:

 Should this docket be closed?

Recommendation: 

 No. This docket should remain open pending the Commission’s decision on the proposed tariff revisions. (Osborn, Crawford)

Staff Analysis: 

 This docket should remain open pending the Commission’s decision on the proposed tariff revisions.