State of Florida

pscSEAL

 

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:

July 22, 2021

TO:

Office of Commission Clerk (Teitzman)

FROM:

Division of Economics (Sibley, Bethea, Bruce, Hudson)

Office of the General Counsel (Osborn)

RE:

Docket No. 20210119-SU – Application for establishment of wastewater allowance for funds prudently invested (AFPI) charges in Lake County, by Utilities, Inc. of Florida.

AGENDA:

08/03/21 – Regular Agenda – Tariff Suspension – Participation is at the Commission’s discretion

COMMISSIONERS ASSIGNED:

All Commissioners

PREHEARING OFFICER:

Administrative

CRITICAL DATES:

08/23/21 (60-Day Suspension Date)

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

None

 

 Case Background

Utilities, Inc. of Florida (UIF or utility) is a Class A utility providing water and wastewater services to 27 systems in the following counties: Charlotte, Highlands, Lake, Lee, Marion, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Seminole. Within its 2020 annual report, the utility reported $16,100,458 for wastewater operating revenues.

On June 24, 2021, the utility filed an application to revise its existing allowance for funds prudently invested (AFPI) charges for its system formerly known as Lake Utility Services, Inc. (LUSI), along with a tariff sheet reflecting the proposed changes. The utility is requesting to revise its existing AFPI charges for the LUSI wastewater system based on the Commission’s decision in Order No. PSC-2021-0206-FOF-WS,[1] issued June 4, 2021, in which the wastewater system was deemed less than 100 percent used and useful.

Section 367.081(6), Florida Statutes (F.S.), provides that the Commission may, for good cause, withhold consent of implementation of the requested rates within 60 days after the date the rate request is filed. This recommendation addresses the suspension of UIF’s proposed tariff sheet. The Commission has jurisdiction pursuant to Section 367.091(6), F.S.

 

Discussion of Issues

Issue 1: 

 Should the Commission suspend UIF's proposed tariff of revised AFPI charges for the LUSI wastewater system?

Recommendation: 

 Yes. UIF’s proposed tariff to establish AFPI charges for its LUSI wastewater system should be suspended. (Sibley, Bethea, Bruce, Hudson)

Staff Analysis: 

 Pursuant to Section 367.081(6), F.S., the Commission may withhold consent to the operation of any or all portions of new rates schedules by a vote to that effect within 60 days, giving a reason or statement of good cause for withholding its consent. Staff is recommending that the tariff be suspended to allow staff sufficient time to review the application and gather all pertinent information to present the Commission an informed recommendation on the proposed tariff. Staff sent a data request to UIF on July 22, 2021, requesting additional information in regards to the utility’s requested AFPI charges and anticipates a response by August 20, 2021. Staff believes that this reason is a good cause consistent with the requirement of Section 367.081(6), F.S. Based on the above, UIF’s proposed tariff to establish AFPI charges for the LUSI wastewater system should be suspended.


Issue 2: 

 Should this docket be closed?

Recommendation: 

 No. The docket should remain open pending the Commission’s final action on UIF’s requested approval to revise existing AFPI wastewater charges for the LUSI wastewater system. (Osborn)

Staff Analysis: 

 No. The docket should remain open pending the Commission’s final action on UIF’s requested approval to revise existing AFPI wastewater charges for the LUSI wastewater system.

 


[1] Order No. PSC-2021-0206-FOF-WS, issued June 4, 2021, in Docket No. 20200139-WS, In re: Application for increase in water and wastewater rates in Charlotte, Highlands, Lake, Lee, Marion, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Seminole Counties, by Utilities, Inc. of Florida.