Notice of Utility Tariff Filing
The REGULATORY COMMISSION OF ALASKA (Commission) gives notice that Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility (AWWU) filed TA171-122 and TA171-126 for its water and sewer utilities, respectively, proposing changes to its tariff rules as part of an interim transition away from emergency measures put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 9, 2020, Governor Michael J. Dunleavy signed Senate Bill 241 (SB 241) in response to the COVID19 public health disaster. Among other subject SB 241 prohibited disconnection of residential utility service for nonpayment for those experience COVID-19 related financial hardship. On May 1, 2020, the Commission issued Order No. U-20-015(1), permitting deviation from tariff provisions under AS 42.05.711(d). In response, AWWU closed its offices to the public, placed a moratorium on disconnects for non-payment, and suspended charging late fees and penalties on residential and commercial accounts. AWWU submitted informational filings to the Commission describing its deviations from its tariff. AWWU also informed all customers that those experiencing financial hardships related to COVID-19 that they could submit a Sworn Statement of COVID-19-Related Financial Hardship and Deferred Payment Agreement (COVID Hardship Form) as allowed by SB 241 in order to benefit from the moratorium on disconnection of service.
SB 241 expired November 15, 2020. Beginning November 16, 2020, AWWU reinstated late fees and penalties for customers who had not submitted a COVID Hardship Form and offered deferred payment plans to customers with past due balances. AWWU’s moratorium on disconnection for non-payment remained in place. AWWU states that it will cease its moratorium on disconnects for non-payment effective July 1, 2021.
With TA171-122 and TA171-126, AWWU proposes an interim tiered procedure for minimum payment requirements for delinquent accounts to ease the transition from the moratorium back to AWWU’s normal procedures as outlined in its tariffs. AWWU’s proposed payment and delinquency history ratings and interim procedures are outlined in the table below.
Rating | Definition | Minimum Payment to Avoid Disconnection | Minimum Payment to Restore Service |
| Good Account History | - No more than 3 late payments; and
- No 48-hour shut off notice placed on premises; and
- Service has not been turned off
| 50 per cent of account balance that is 55 days or more past due | 50 per cent of total account balance |
| Fair Account History | - No more than 5 late payments; and
- No more than 1 48-hour shut off notice placed on premises; and
- Service has not been turned off
| 75 per cent of account balance that is 55 days or more past due | 75 per cent of total account balance |
| Poor Account History | - 6 or more late payments; or
- 2 or more 48-hour shut off notices placed on premises; or
- Service has been turned off
| 100 per cent of account balance that is 55 days or more past due | 50 per cent of total account balance |
Additionally, AWWU proposes to modify the description in its tariffs of its normal business hours of 8 am to 5 pm to designate “lobby hours” of 9 am to 4 pm. During lobby hours customers may come to AWWU’s offices in person to conduct business. AWWU states that it will fully re-open its facilities to the public on June 7, 2021.
This notice does not contain all requested revisions and the Commission may approve a rate or classification which varies from that proposed. You may obtain more information about this filing by contacting Heather Rafalko, Regulatory Affairs Manager for AWWU at 3000 Arctic Boulevard, Anchorage, Alaska 99503-3898; Phone: (907) 786-5675. The complete filing is also available for inspection at the Commission’s office at 701 West Eighth Avenue, Suite 300, Anchorage, AK 99501; phone: (907) 276-6222, or may be viewed online via at the Commission’s website at http://rca.alaska.gov/ by typing “TA171-122” or “TA171-126” in the Find a Matter search box.
To comment on this filing, please file your comments by 5:00 p.m., June 23, 2021, at the Commission address given above or via our website at:
https://rca.alaska.gov/RCAWeb/WhatsNew/PublicNoticesComments.aspx.
Please reference TA171-122 and/or TA171-126 and include a statement that you have filed a copy of the comments with AWWU at its address given above or at info@awwu.biz. Individuals or groups of people with disabilities, who require special accommodations, auxiliary aids or service, or alternative communication formats, please contact Valerie Fletcher-Mitchell at (907) 276-6222, toll-free at 1-800-390-2782, or TTY/Alaska Relay: 7-1-1 or 1-800-770-8973, or send a request via electronic mail to rca.mail@alaska.gov by June 16, 2021.
DATED at Anchorage, Alaska, this 7th day of June, 2021.
REGULATORY COMMISSION OF ALASKA
Becki Alvey
Tariff Section Manager