Ariz. Admin. Code § 14-2-103

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 24, June 14, 2024

Section R14-2-103 - Defining Filing Requirements in Support of a Request by a Public Service Corporation Doing Business in Arizona for a Determination of the Value of Property of the Corporation and of the Rate of Return Thereon, or in Support of Proposed Increased Rates or Charges

A. Purpose and definitions

1. Purpose: The purpose of this General Order is to define the specific financial and statistical information required to be filed with a request by a public service corporation doing business in Arizona for a determination of the value of the property of the corporation and of the rate of return to be earned thereon, with regard to proposed increased rates or charges. This General Order does not apply to the implementation of previously approved adjustment or escalation clauses.

2. Applicability of rules: These rules shall apply to all electric, gas, telephone, telegraph, water and private fire protection public service corporations under the jurisdiction of the Commission. These rules are applicable both to all filings made after the effective date of this General Order and to any rate proceeding pending on the effective date of this General Order in which the Commission has issued no final decision. These rules are not intended to prohibit utilities from filing additional schedules, exhibits and other documents in which the Commission has issued no final decision. These rules are not intended to prohibit utilities from filing additional schedules, exhibits and other documents which may be material to the rate proceeding, nor are they intended to prohibit the Commission from considering such schedules, exhibits or other documents in making its determination. In pending proceedings, to the extent that the information required by this General Order is not included in the public service corporation's exhibits or is not otherwise in the record, such information shall be supplied as soon as possible unless a waiver is requested and granted pursuant to subsection (B)(5).

3. Definitions: Terminology used in this General Order is defined as follows:

a. "Accounting method" -- the accounting method prescribed or recognized by the Commission.

b. "Commission" -- The Arizona Corporation Commission.

c. "Cost of service" -- The total cost of providing service to a defined segment of customers, as determined by the application of logical and generally accepted cost analysis and allocation techniques.

d. "Department" -- A responsibility center within a combination utility where revenues and costs are accumulated by commodity or service rendered.

e. "Depreciated original cost" -- The cost of property to the person first devoting it to public service, less the depreciation reserve, which shall include accrued depreciation and amortization calculated in accordance with General Order R14-2-102. Depreciated original cost shall not include any goodwill or going concern value, nor shall it include certificate value in excess of payment made or costs incurred in the initial acquisition thereof.

f. "Exhibit" -- One or more schedules which support a rate filing or testimony in a rate proceeding.

g. "Filing" -- An application and required schedules, exhibits or other documents filed by a public service corporation to initiate any rate proceeding under this Section. For all Class A and B utilities and for Class C electric and gas utilities, the filing shall include direct testimony in support of the application. For Class C water, sewer, and telephone utilities and for all Class D and E utilities, the filing shall include a written description of the components of the application. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prohibit a public service corporation, prior to making a filing, from giving the Commission informal pre-filing notice of its intent to make a filing. Such pre-filing notice would permit the Commission, on a tentative basis, to assign a hearing date and would permit agreement on an appropriate test year.

h. "Original cost rate base" -- An amount consisting of the depreciated original cost, prudently invested, of the property (exclusive of contributions and/or advances in aid of construction) at the end of the test year, used or useful, plus a proper allowance for working capital and including all applicable pro forma adjustments.

i. "Pro forma adjustments" -- Adjustments to actual test year results and balances to obtain a normal or more realistic relationship between revenues, expenses and rate base.

j. "Projected year" -- The year immediately following the test year.

k. "Projections" -- Estimate of future results of operations based upon known facts or logical assumptions concerning future events.

l. "Prudently invested" -- Investments which under ordinary circumstances would be deemed reasonable and not dishonest or obviously wasteful. All investments shall be presumed to have been prudently made, and such presumptions may be set aside only by clear and convincing evidence that such investments were imprudent, when viewed in the light of all relevant conditions known or which in the exercise of reasonable judgment should have been known, at the time such investments were made.

m. "Rate schedule" -- A schedule of rates and conditions for a specific classification of customer or for other specific services.

n. "Reconstructed Cost New (RCND) Rate Base" -- An amount consisting of the depreciated reconstruction cost new of the property (exclusive of contributions and/or advances in aid of construction) at the end of the test year, used and useful, plus a proper allowance for working capital and including all applicable pro forma adjustments. Contributions and advances in aid of construction, if recorded in the accounts of the public service corporation, shall be increased to a reconstruction new basis.

o. "Staff" -- The staff of the Commission or its designated representatives.

p. "Test year" -- The one-year historical period used in determining rate base, operating income and rate of return. The end of the test year shall be the most recent practical date available prior to the filing.

q. "Utilities" -- For purposes of the Section, utilities are electric, gas, telephone, water, sewer or any other that maybe supplying service and/or commodities which in the future may be adjudged a public service corporation and under the jurisdiction of this Commission, are classified as follows:

Annual Operating Revenue
	Class A	B	C	D	E
Electric & Gas	Exceeding	$	$	$	Less than
	$	$	$	$	$
	10,000,000	3,000,000 to	1,000,000 to	250,000 to	250,000
		10,000,000	2,999,999	999,999
Water & Sewer	Exceeding	$	$	$	Less than
	$	$	$	$	$
	10,000,000	3,000,000 to	1,000,000 to	250,000 to	250,000
		10,000,000	2,999,999	999,999
Telephone	Exceeding	$	$	$	Less than
	$	$	$	$	$
	10,000,000	3,000,000 to	1,000,000 to	250,000 to	250,000
		10,000,000	2,999,999	999,999

Annual operating revenues are those gross utility operating revenues derived from jurisdictional operations, including the requested rate relief. A combination utility is a utility which provides more than one of the com-modities or services enumerated in this subsection. For combination utilities, the annual operating revenue, including the requested rate relief, for the specific subsidiary, department, or operating division requesting the rate change shall be used for classification purposes.

r. "Working capital" -- A proper allowance for cash, materials and supplies and prepayments.

B. Filing requirements:

1. Information required from Class A, B, C and D Utilities: The information required to be prepared and submitted by Class A, B, C and D Utilities in conjunction with a filing is presented below. Corresponding schedule formats are contained in the Appendix of this General Order and denoted. These formats are not applicable to Class E utilities. The Appendix schedule formats A-1 through A-5 are a part of this General Order, and the Applicant's schedules should conform to these formats. All other Appendix schedule formats and descriptions are illustrative and the applicant's specific formats may vary from that suggested in the Appendix. The substantive information requested, both on the Appendix schedule and in the body of this General Order, however, must be contained on the applicant's schedules together with the titles and schedule numbers provided in the Appendix. Specific information items requested on the Appendix schedules may be omitted without formal waiver, from the filing where it is evident that said items are not applicable to the applicant's business. The instructions and notes contained on the Appendix schedules shall be followed where applicable. Reconstruction Cost New Depreciated information not filed by the applicant shall be deemed waived.

Information	Filing Required by	Appendix Schedule Reference(s)
A. Summary Information:
1. A summary of the increase in revenue requirements and the spread of the revenue increase by customer classification.	All classes	A-1
2. A summary of the results of operations for the test year and for the test year and the 2 fiscal years ended prior to the end of the test year, compared with the projected year.	All classes	A-2
3 A summary of the capital structure for the test year and the 2 fiscal years ended prior to the end of the test year, compared with the projected year.	Classes A & B	A-3
4. Construction expenditures and gross utility plant in service for the test year and the 2 fiscal years ended prior to the end of the test year, compared with the projected year.	All classes	A-4
5. A summary of changes in financial position for the test year and the 2 fiscal years ended prior to the end of the test year, compared with the projected year.	Classes A & B	A-5
B. Rate Base Information:
1. A schedule showing the elements of original cost and RCND rate bases.	All classes	B-1
2. A schedule listing pro forma adjustments to gross plant in service and accumulated depreciation for the original cost rate base.	All classes	B-2
3. A schedule showing pro forma adjustments to gross plant in service and accumulated depreciation for the RCND rate base.	All classes	B-3
4. A schedule demonstrating the determination of reproduction cost new less depreciation at the end of the test period.	All classes	B-4
5. A schedule showing the computation of working capital allowance.	All classes	B-5
C. Test Year Income Statements:
1. A test year income statement, with pro form adjustments.	All classes	C-1
2. A schedule showing the detail of all pro forma adjustments.	All classes	C-2
3. A schedule showing the incremental taxes and other expenses on gross revenues and the computation of an incremental gross revenue conversion factor.	All classes	C-3
D. Cost of Capital Information:
1. A schedule summarizing the elements in the capital structure at the end of the test year and the projected year, their related costs and the computation of the total cost of capital.	All classes	D-1
2. A schedule showing the detail of long-term and short-term debt at the end of the test year and the projected year and their total cost.	Classes A & B	D-2
3. A schedule showing the detail of preferred stock at the end of the test year and the projected year, and their total cost.	Classes A & B	D-3
4. A schedule summarizing conclusions of the required return on the common equity as of the end of the test year and the projected year.	Classes A & B	D-4
E. Financial Statements and Statistical Data:
1. Comparative balance sheets for the end of the test year and the 2 fiscal years ended prior to the end of the test year.	All classes	E-1
2. Comparative income statements for the test year and the 2 fiscal years ended prior to the end of the test year.	All classes	E-2
3. Comparative statements of changes in financial position for the test year and the 2 fiscal years ended prior to the end of the test year.	Classes A & B	E-3
4. Statements of changes in stockholder's equity for the test year and the 2 fiscal years ended prior to the end of the test year.	Classes A & B	E-4
5. A comparative schedule showing by detail account number, utility plant balances at the end of the test year and the end of prior fiscal year.	All classes	E-5
6. Comparative departmental statements of operating income for the test year and the 2 fiscal years ended prior to the end of the test year.	All classes of combination utilities	E-6
7. Comparative operating statistics on customers, consumption, revenues, and expenses for the test year and the 2 fiscal years ended prior to the end of the test year.	All classes	E-7
8. A comparative schedule of all significant taxes charged to operations for the test year and the 2 fiscal years ended prior to the end of the test year.	All classes except Class D	E-8
9. Audited financial statements, if available, for the test year and the 2 fiscal years ended prior to the end of the test year. If the financial statements have not been audited, notes to the financial statements should be provided to indicate accounting method, depreciation lives and methods, income tax treatment and other important disclosures.	All classes	E-9
F. Projections and Forecasts:
1. A projected income statement for the projected year compared with actual test year results, at present rates and proposed rates.	All classes	F-1
2. Projected changes in financial position for the projected year compared with the test year, at present rates and proposed rates.	Classes A & B	F-1
3. Projected annual construction requirements, by property classification, for 1 to 3 years subsequent to the test year, compared with the test year.	Classes A & B 3 years Classes C & D 1 year	F-3
4. Important assumptions used in preparing forecasts and projections.	All classes	F-4
G. Cost of Service Information
A utility shall submit cost of service analyses and studies if all of the following conditions prevail:
1. The utility is in a segment of the utility industry that recognizes cost of service studies as important tools for rate design.
2. Costs incurred by the utility are likely to vary significantly from 1 defined segment of customers to another.
A historical accounting period other than the test year may be used for cost of service purposes provided that customer mix in the historical period used is representative of the test year. When a cost of service analysis is required, the following information shall be submitted:
1. Schedule showing rates of return by customer classification at present and proposed rates.	Classes A, B and C if applicable	G-1 G-2
2. Schedules showing the approach used in allocating or assigning plant and expenses to classes of service and defined functions.	Classes A, B and C if applicable	G-3 G-4 G-5 G-6
3. Schedules showing the development of all allocation factors used in the all allocation factors used in the cost of service study.	Classes A, B and C if applicable	G-7
H. Effect of Proposed Rate Schedules:
1. A comparison of revenues by customer classification or other classification of revenues for the test year, at present and proposed rates.	All classes	H-1
2. A comparison of revenues by class of service and by rate schedule for the test year, at present and proposed rates.	Classes A & B	H-2
3. A comparison of present and proposed rate schedules or representative rate schedules.	Class A representative schedules; Classes B, C and D - all schedules	H-3
4. Typical bill analysis	All classes	H-4
5. Bill count	All classes	H-5

2. Information required from Class E Utilities: The information required to be prepared and submitted by a Class E Utility in support of a filing is as follows:

a. A statement of income for the test year similar in format to Schedule C-1 or E-2.

b. A balance sheet as of the end of the test year similar in format to Schedule E-1.

c. Utility plant account balances at the end of the test year similar in format to Schedule E-5.

d. An estimate of new investment in utility plant to be added in the projected year.

e. A schedule of current rates and proposed rates and the additional revenues to be derived from the proposed rates.

The appendix schedules shall be used as guides in presenting the information specified in this subsection.

3. A cooperative, as defined in R14-2-107, may initiate a rate proceeding by preparing and submitting a filing under this Section or, if eligible, by following the requirements of R14-2-107.

4. Separation of nonjurisdictional properties, revenues and expenses associated with the rendition of utility service not subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission must be identified and properly separated in a recognized manner when appropriate. In addition, all nonutility properties, revenues and expenses shall likewise be segregated. If nonutility operations are significant, appropriate allocations of capital should be made.

5. Additional information: The Commission may request that supplementary information in addition to that specifically required in subsection (B)(1) and (2) of this General Order be submitted by a utility either prior to or after a filing.

6. Waiver of requirements: Either prior to the filing or within 15 days from the date thereof, the Commission, after determining the existence of reasonable cause, by order may waive compliance with any or all of the requirements of this General Order. Such Waiver will be granted only upon written petition to the Commission. In said petition, the utility must demonstrate that the requirements sought to be waived are either not applicable to the rate matter which is the subject of the filing or that compliance therewith would place an undue burden on the utility.

7. Notice of sufficiency of a utility's filing: The staff will review each filing to ascertain whether it is in compliance with the provisions of this Section, including the instructions contained in subsection (B)(9) or in forms prescribed by the Commission. Within 30 days after receipt of the utility's filing, the staff shall file with Docket Control and serve on the utility a notice that the filing either is in compliance with the Commission's requirements or is deficient. A notice of deficiency must include an explanation of the defect found. If the staff fails to file any notice within the 30-day period, the utility's filing shall be deemed accepted as of the 31st day.

8. Production of out-of-state books and records: A utility shall produce or deliver in this state all or any of its formal accounting records and related documents requested by the Commission. It may, at its option, provide verified copies of original records and documents.

9. General filing instructions: In preparing the information specified in subsection (B)(1) and (2) of this General Order, the following instructions are applicable:

a. All schedules shall be mathematically correct and properly cross-referenced. The applicant shall ascertain that adequate detail has been provided to explain and support all significant items and amounts.

b. Amounts may be rounded, where appropriate, to the nearest thousand dollars for Class A utilities, to the nearest hundred dollars for Class B and C utilities and to the nearest dollar for Class D and E utilities.

c. Except for Class E utilities, all schedules shall be numbered as provided in the Appendix. Schedules prepared by all classes of utilities shall contain a date -- generally the preparation date or the filing date.

d. Headings on schedules shall clearly indicate the nature and intent of the schedule and the dates or time periods covered.

At the date of filing, a minimum of 10 complete sets of the applicant's schedules and exhibits shall be provided to the Commission.

10. Staff assistance in preparing a filing: The staff will, consistent with other workload requirements, be available to provide assistance to an applicant in preparing a filing.

11. Timing of Commission action on a filing:

a. For all Class A and B utilities and for Class C electric and gas utilities, the Hearing Officer shall issue a procedural schedule in the rate case within 30 days from the date that a filing is accepted pursuant to subsection (B)(7).

b. Unless otherwise ordered by the Commission, the staff shall file its Staff Report and/or testimony within the following number of days from the date that a filing is accepted pursuant to subsection (B)(7):

i. For Class A utilities, within 180 days.

ii. For Class B utilities, within 180 days.

iii. For Class C utilities, within 135 days.

iv. For Class D utilities, within 75 days.

v. For Class E utilities, within 60 days.

c. For all Class A utilities, the Hearing Officer shall issue a recommended order in the rate case at least 20 days prior to the last regularly scheduled open meeting in the time period calculated pursuant to subsection (B)(11)(d). For all other utilities, the Hearing Officer shall issue a recommended order at least 10 days prior to the last regularly scheduled open meeting in the time period calculated pursuant to subsection (B)(11)(d).

d. The Commission shall issue a final order that disposes of all issues involved in all parts or phases of the proceeding within the following number of days from the date that a filing is accepted pursuant to subsection (B)(7):

i. For Class A utilities, within 360 days.

ii. For Class B utilities, within 360 days.

iii. For Class C utilities, within 270 days.

iv. For Class D utilities, within 180 days.

v. For Class E utilities, within 120 days.

e. Upon motion of any party to the matter or on its own motion, the Commission or the Hearing Officer may determine that the time periods prescribed by subsection (B)(11)(d) should be extended or begin again due to:

i. Any amendment to a filing which changes the amount sought by the utility or substantially alters the facts used as a basis for the requested change in rates or charges; or

ii. An extraordinary event, not otherwise provided for by this subsection.

f. If a hearing is conducted to evaluate a filing, the time periods prescribed by subsection (B)(11)(a) shall be extended three days for each one day of actual hearing on the merits of the filing.

g. The time periods prescribed by subsection (B)(11)(a) shall not be applicable to any filing submitted by a utility which has more than one rate application before the Commission at the same time.

h. In the event no final order has been issued within the time periods specified in this subsection, the utility may request any time thereafter that the Commission schedule a hearing to consider putting new rates or charges into effect, on an interim basis subject to refund, for all consumption thereafter. To put such rates or charges into effect, the utility would be required to file a bond to be approved by the Commission payable to the state of Arizona in such amount and with sufficient security to insure prompt payment of any refunds to the persons entitled thereto, including an interest rate as determined by the Commission not to exceed the maximum interest otherwise allowable by law, if the rates or charges so put into effect are finally determined by the Commission to be excessive. The utility may substitute for the bond other arrangements satisfactory to the Commission for the protection of the parties involved. The Commission shall issue a final order on a request for interim rates within 60 days plus the number of interim hearing days from the filing date of the request.

Appendix. Index of Schedules

ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION

REGULATION R14-2-103

RATE APPLICATION FILING REQUIREMENTS

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APPENDIX

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ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION

REGULATION R14-2-103

APPENDIX

INDEX OF SCHEDULES

Schedule No.	Title	Filing Required By
A. Summary Schedules
A-1	Computation of Increase in Gross Revenue Requirements	All classes
A-2	Summary Results of Operations	All classes
A-3	Summary of Capital Structure	Classes A & B
A-4	Construction Expenditures and Gross Utility Plant in Service	All classes
A-5	Summary Changes in Financial Position	Classes A & B
B. Rate Base Schedules
B-1	Summary of Original Cost and RCND Rate Base Elements	All classes
B-2	Original Cost Rate Base Pro forma Adjustments	All classes
B-3	RCND Rate Base Pro forma Adjustments	All classes
B-4	RCND by Major Plant Accounts	All classes
B-5	Computation of Working Capital	All classes
C. Test Year Income Statements
C-1	Adjusted Test Year Income Statement	All classes
C-2	Income Statement Pro forma Adjustments	All classes
C-3	Computation of Gross Revenue Conversion Factor	All classes
D. Cost of Capital
D-1	Summary Cost of Capital	All classes
D-2	Cost of Long Term and Short Term Debt	Classes A & B
D-3	Cost of Preferred Stock	Classes A & B
D-4	Cost of Common Equity	Classes A & B
E. Financial Statements and Statistical Schedules
E-1	Comparative Balance Sheets	All classes
E-2	Comparative Income Statements	All classes
E-3	Comparative Statement of Changes in Financial Position	Classes A & B
E-4	Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity	Classes A & B
E-5	Detail of Utility Plant	Classes A & B
E-6	Comparative Departmental Operating Income Statements	All classes of combination utilities
E-7	Operating Statistics	All classes
E-8	Taxes Charged to Operations	Classes, A, B & C
E-9	Notes to Financial Statements	All classes
F. Projections and Forecasts
F-1	Projected Income Statements - Present and Proposed Rates	All classes
F-2	Projected Charges in Financial Position - Present and Proposed Rates	Classes A & B
F-3	Projected Construction Requirements	Classes A & B - (3 years) Classes C & D - (1 year)
F-4	Assumptions Used in Developing Projections	All classes
G. Cost of Service Analyses
G-1	Cost of Service Summary - Present Rates	Special requirement
G-2	Cost of Service Summary - Proposed Rates	Special requirement
G-3	Rate Base Allocation to Classes of Service	Special requirement
G-4	Expense Allocation to Classes of Service	Special requirement
G-5	Distribution of Rate Base by Function	Special requirement
G-6	Distribution of Expenses by Function	Special requirement
G-7	Development of Allocation Factors	Special requirement
H. Effect of Proposed Tariff Schedules
H-1	Summary of Revenues by Customer Classification - Present and Proposed Rates	All classes
H-2	Analysis of Revenues by Detailed Class of Service - Present and Proposed Rates Classes	Classes A & B
H-3	Changes in Representative Rate Schedules	Class A, representative schedules; Classes B, C, & D all schedules
H-4	Typical Bill Analysis	All classes
H-5	Bill Count	All classes

APPENDIX A. SUMMARY SCHEDULES

Schedule A-1. Computation of Increase in Gross Revenue Requirements