OAR 860-037-0630
Use of Deferred Accounting as it Applies to Wastewater Operations by Wastewater Utilities


(1)

Definitions: The following definitions shall be used in this rule:

(a)

“Amortization” means the inclusion in rates of an amount that has been deferred under ORS 757.259 (Amounts includable in rate schedule) and which is designed to eliminate, over time, the balance in an authorized deferred account. Amortization does not include the normal positive and negative fluctuations in a balancing account;

(b)

“Deferred Accounting” means the recording in a balance sheet account, with Commission authorization under ORS 757.259 (Amounts includable in rate schedule), of a current expense or revenue associated with current service for later reflection in rates.

(2)

Expiration: Any authorization to use a deferred account expires 12 months from the date the deferral is authorized to begin. If a deferral under ORS 757.259 (Amounts includable in rate schedule) is reauthorized, the reauthorization expires 12 months from the date the reauthorization becomes effective.

(3)

Contents of Application: Application for deferred accounting by a wastewater utility, a ratepayer, or other applicant shall include:

(a)

A description of the wastewater utility expense or revenue for which deferred accounting is requested;

(b)

The reason(s) deferred accounting is being requested and a reference to the section(s) of ORS 757.259 (Amounts includable in rate schedule) under which deferral can be authorized;

(c)

The account proposed for recording of the amounts to be deferred and the account which would be used for recording the amounts in the absence of approval of deferred accounting;

(d)

An estimate of the amounts to be recorded in the deferred account for the 12-month period subsequent to the application; and

(e)

A copy of the notice of application for deferred accounting and list of persons served with the notice.

(4)

Reauthorization: Application for reauthorization to use a deferred account shall be made not more than 60 days prior to the expiration of the previous authorization for the deferral. Application for reauthorization shall include the requirements set forth in subsections (3)(a) through (3)(e) of this rule and, in addition, the following information:

(a)

A description and explanation of the entries in the deferred account to the date of the application for reauthorization; and

(b)

The reason(s) for continuation of deferred accounting.

(5)

Exceptions: Authorization under ORS 757.259 (Amounts includable in rate schedule) to use a deferred account is necessary only to add amounts to an account, not to retain an existing account balance and not to amortize amounts which have been entered in an account under an authorization by the Commission. Interest, once authorized to accrue on unamortized balances in an account, may be added to the account without further authorization by the Commission, even though authorization to add other amounts to an account has expired.

(6)

Notice of Application: The applicant shall serve a notice of application upon all persons who were parties in the wastewater utility’s last general rate case. If the applicant is other than a wastewater utility, the applicant shall serve a copy of the application upon the affected wastewater utility. A notice of application shall include:

(a)

A statement that the applicant has applied to the Commission for authorization to use deferred accounting; or for an order requiring that deferred accounting be used by a wastewater utility;

(b)

A description of the wastewater utility expense or revenue for which deferred accounting is requested;

(c)

The manner in which an interested person can obtain a copy of the application;

(d)

A statement that any person may submit to the Commission written comment on the application by the date set forth in the notice, which date can be no sooner than 25 days from the date of the application; and

(e)

A statement that the granting of the application does not authorize a change in rates, but permits the Commission to consider allowing such deferred amounts in rates in a subsequent proceeding.

(7)

Public Meetings: Unless otherwise ordered by the Commission, applications for use of deferred accounting will be considered at the Commission’s public meetings.

(8)

Reply comments: Within 10 days of the due date for comments on the application from interested persons, the applicant and the wastewater utility, if the wastewater utility is not the applicant, may file reply comments with the Commission. Those comments shall be served on persons who have filed the initial comments on the application.

(9)

Amortization: Amortization in rates of a deferred amount shall only be allowed in a proceeding, whether initiated by the wastewater utility or another party. The Commission may authorize amortization of such amounts only for wastewater utility expenses or revenues for which the Commission previously has authorized deferred accounting. Upon request for amortization of a deferred account, the wastewater utility shall provide the Commission with its financial results for a 12-month period or for multiple 12-month periods to allow the Commission to perform an earnings review. The period selected for the earnings review encompasses all or part of the period during which the deferral took place or must be reasonably representative of the period of deferral. Unless authorized by the Commission to do otherwise:

(a)

A wastewater utility shall request that amortizations of wastewater deferred accounts commence no later than one year from the date that deferrals cease for that particular account; and

(b)

In the case of ongoing balancing accounts, the wastewater utility shall request amortization at least annually, unless amortization of the balancing account is then in effect.

Source: Rule 860-037-0630 — Use of Deferred Accounting as it Applies to Wastewater Operations by Wastewater Utilities, https://secure.­sos.­state.­or.­us/oard/view.­action?ruleNumber=860-037-0630.

860‑037‑0001
Scope and Applicability of Rules
860‑037‑0005
Applicability and Formal Requirements
860‑037‑0010
Definitions
860‑037‑0015
Information for Customers and Applicants
860‑037‑0020
Designation of Third Party to Receive Notices
860‑037‑0025
Dispute Resolution
860‑037‑0030
Applications for Water/Wastewater Utility Service
860‑037‑0035
Establishing Credit for Residential Service
860‑037‑0040
Deposit Payment Arrangements for Residential Wastewater Service
860‑037‑0045
Interest on Deposits for Residential and Nonresidential Service
860‑037‑0050
Refund of Wastewater Utility Deposits
860‑037‑0055
Installation of Wastewater Service Connection
860‑037‑0060
Installation of Main Line Extension
860‑037‑0065
Design, Construction, and Operation
860‑037‑0067
Wastewater Disposal
860‑037‑0070
Interruption of Service
860‑037‑0075
Refusal of Service
860‑037‑0080
Restrictions on Entering a Customer Residence
860‑037‑0095
Annual Fees Payable to the Commission by a Wastewater Utility
860‑037‑0097
Estimated Annual Fees Payable to the Commission by a Wastewater Utility
860‑037‑0101
Wastewater Service Charges
860‑037‑0105
Bill Forms
860‑037‑0110
Due and Payable Period
860‑037‑0115
Late-Payment Charge
860‑037‑0120
Adjustment of Bills
860‑037‑0125
Transfer Billings
860‑037‑0205
Grounds for Terminating Customer Wastewater Service by Disconnecting Water Service
860‑037‑0210
Voluntary Water Disconnection for Wastewater Service
860‑037‑0215
Emergency Water Disconnection for Wastewater Service
860‑037‑0220
Disconnection of Water Service on Weekends and Holidays
860‑037‑0225
Accounts Not Related to Residential Service
860‑037‑0230
Disconnection of Wastewater Service to Tenants
860‑037‑0235
Multilingual Disconnection Notice
860‑037‑0240
Reconnection Fee
860‑037‑0245
Disconnection Procedures for All Customers of Wastewater Utility Services
860‑037‑0307
Wastewater Utility Compliance Enforcement by Commission Appointment of Regent to Operate and Manage a Wastewater System
860‑037‑0308
Expenditure of Fees Collected Under ORS 756.310 to Make Emergency Repairs
860‑037‑0309
Commission-Assessed Civil Penalties for Noncompliance
860‑037‑0310
Maps and Records
860‑037‑0320
Location of Underground Facilities
860‑037‑0325
Construction, Safety, and Reporting Standards for Wastewater Utilities
860‑037‑0330
Attachments to Poles and Conduits Owned by Public, Telecommunications, and Consumer-Owned Utilities
860‑037‑0405
Relating to New Wastewater Utilities
860‑037‑0407
Request for Rate Regulation of an Association within the Boundaries of a City
860‑037‑0410
Tariff Specifications
860‑037‑0415
Tariff Contents
860‑037‑0420
Tariff Changes Require 30 Days’ Notice to the Commission
860‑037‑0425
Announcement of Tariff Changes
860‑037‑0430
Applications to Make Tariffs or Rate Schedules Effective on Less Than Statutory Notice
860‑037‑0435
Requirements for Filing Tariffs or Schedules Changing Rates
860‑037‑0440
Requirements for Filing Tariffs or Schedules Naming Increased Rates
860‑037‑0445
Tariff Changes Effective with Service Rendered
860‑037‑0450
Notice to Interested Persons
860‑037‑0505
Form and Filing of Applications
860‑037‑0510
Notice and Approval Requirements Relating to the Sale, Transfer, Merger, Termination, Abandonment, or Disposal of a Wastewater Utility
860‑037‑0515
Applications for Authority to Sell, Lease, Assign, Mortgage, Merge, Consolidate, or Otherwise Dispose of or Encumber its Property, or to Acquire Stock, Bonds, or Property of Another Public Utility
860‑037‑0517
Acquisition Adjustment
860‑037‑0520
Application by a Wastewater Utility for Authority to Issue Wastewater Stocks, Bonds, Notes, or Other Securities
860‑037‑0525
Applications for Authority to Guarantee Indebtedness
860‑037‑0530
Applications for Approval of Transactions Between Affiliated Interests
860‑037‑0535
Information Required Regarding Wastewater Utility Goods or Services Provided to Affiliated Interests
860‑037‑0540
Timeliness of Applications Made Under OAR 860-037-0530 and Filings Made Under OAR 860-037-0535
860‑037‑0545
Applications for Waiver of Requirements Under OARs 860-037-0530 and 860-037-0535
860‑037‑0547
Allocation of Costs by a Wastewater Utility
860‑037‑0550
Special Contracts
860‑037‑0555
Relating to City Fees, Taxes, and Other Assessments
860‑037‑0560
Relating to Local Government Fees, Taxes, and Other Assessments
860‑037‑0565
Accounting for Director’s Fees
860‑037‑0567
Accounting for Contributions in Aid of Construction (CIAC)
860‑037‑0570
Accounting for Construction Work In Progress (CWIP)
860‑037‑0605
Preservation and Destruction of Records
860‑037‑0610
Uniform System of Accounts for Wastewater Utilities
860‑037‑0625
Annual Reports
860‑037‑0630
Use of Deferred Accounting as it Applies to Wastewater Operations by Wastewater Utilities
Last Updated

Jun. 8, 2021

Rule 860-037-0630’s source at or​.us