Hearing examiner Harry Boertzel suggested the administrative assessment would be $26,000 which was approved by CPUC Chairwoman Viola Alepuyo who found it “reasonable.”
Boertzel explained, “In preparation for its anticipated closing on Jan. 30, [2012], until new commissioners are appointed and confirmed, the commission finds it reasonable and necessary to impose an interim administrative assessment — and will be for the chair to establish the dollar amount.”
The commission has only one member: Alepuyo. It’s supposed to have five based on P.L. 15-35.
According to Boertzel, based on projections for the 2012, it is anticipated that 64 percent of CPUC’s regulatory activities will be devoted to CUC and 18 percent each to IT&E and GTA.
Based on these percentages, the administrative fees imposed on the utilities and telecommunication agencies were $16,640, CUC; $4,680, IT&E; and $4,680, GTA.
The hearing examiner said this assessment should be paid within 30 days of the order.
Rather than having the checks delivered to the office of the CPUC chairwoman as suggested by Boertzel, Alepuyo directed that they be sent to legal counsel Robert Torres with the instruction to have these checks deposited in the CPUC account with First Hawaiian Bank.
Under the law, CPUC has the authority to assess regulated utilities for the cost of expenses incurred in investigation hearings and proceedings.
