NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
APPLICATION OF WAIKOLOA SANITARY SEWER COMPANY, INC.,
dba WEST HAWAII SEWER COMPANY,
FOR EXPEDITED REVIEW AND APPROVAL TO INCREASE RATES
DOCKET NO. 05-0329
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the STATE OF HAWAII, PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION (Commission) will hold a public hearing relating to the application of WAIKOLOA SANITARY SEWER COMPANY, INC., dba WEST HAWAII SEWER COMPANY (WHSC), filed on December 29, 2005, for approval to increase its wastewater rates and revise its rate schedules. The public hearing will be held as follows:
Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2006
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Waimea Civic Center
67-5189 Kamamalu Street
Kamuela, Hawaii 96743
This public hearing will be heard at the same time and location as the public hearings held for Docket Nos. 05-0333 (South Kohala Sewer Company) and 05-0334 (KRWC Corporation, dba Kohala Ranch Water Company)
WHSC is a public utility providing wastewater treatment service to the residences, condominiums, and commercial establishments in the greater Waikoloa Village area. WHSC seeks Commission approval of a general rate increase of approximately $353,669, or approximately 46.7%, over total revenues at present rates. WHSC estimates that due to an overall increase in operating expenses since 2002, it will earn a negative 7.525% rate of return in the 2006 calendar test year without a rate increase. The requested increase is based on an estimated total revenue requirement of $1,110,935 for the 2006 calendar test year. In particular, WHSC seeks the following changes in its rates:
1. Monthly Stand-by Charges
Customer Class Present Rates Proposed Rates
Residential $27.13 per month $39.66 per month
per living unit per living unit
Commercial $27.13 per month per $39.66 per month per
equivalent residential unit equivalent residential unit
(dependent on meter size) (dependent on meter size)
2. Monthly Sewer Quantity Charge
Customer Class Present Rates Proposed Rates
All $1.33 per 1,000 gallons $1.9606 per 1,000 gallons
of metered water of metered water
provided per month provided per month
The Commission will investigate whether the proposed general increase in WHSCs wastewater rates and charges, and its revisions to its rate schedules, are just and reasonable. The total revenue requirement for the 2006 calendar test year will not exceed the $353,669 amount over revenues at present rates that WHSC requests. However, the increase in rates and charges to be finally approved by the Commission, if any, may be higher or lower than WHSCs proposed rates and charges noted above.
All interested persons are urged to attend the public hearing to state their views, orally, in writing, or both. Written statements may be submitted prior to or at the public hearing. Statements may be mailed to the Public Utilities Commission, 465 South King Street, Room 103, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813. Statements may also be sent by electronic mail to the Commissions e-mail address at Hawaii.PUC@hawaii.gov.
Motions to Intervene or Participate in this proceeding shall comply with Subchapter 4, Rules of Practice and Procedure Before the Public Utilities Commission, Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 6, Chapter 61. A motion to intervene or participate in this proceeding shall be filed with the Commission by March 20, 2006.
Copies of the application and supporting documents are available for public inspection during regular business hours at the following locations:
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
465 South King Street, #103 HAWAII DISTRICT OFFICE
Honolulu, HI 96813 688 Kinoole Street, #106A
Phone: (808) 586-2020 or Hilo, HI 96720
Toll free from the island of Hawaii, Phone: (808) 974-4533
at 974-4000, ext. 62020
WEST HAWAII SEWER COMPANY DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
150 Waikoloa Beach Drive AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
Waikoloa, HI 96738-5703 DIV. OF CONSUMER ADVOCACY
Phone: (808) 886-1000 335 Merchant Street, #326
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 586-2800
Special accommodations for persons with disabilities can be made if requested reasonably in advance by contacting the Commissions Honolulu office.
_________________________
Carlito P. Caliboso
Chairman (SB05521287 2/15, 2/20, 2/27, 3/6/06)
