Discussion

Although the application is ambiguous because it confuses individual owners with their associated corporations, we understand that it seeks our approval for the sale and purchase of all used and useful utility assets between the two corporate entities. Our decision addresses this confusion by describing the transaction and identifying the parties in very specific terms, and by including appropriate conditions and compliance requirements to ensure that there is a clear record of these matters.

We recently examined Buyer's financials and established net plant in Res. W-4628. Buyer's president, Dewante, has been operating the Seller's system for more than eleven years. We rely upon these circumstances as lending additional support for approval of the transfer, as doing so will be consistent with ensuring the continuity of management and service. Moreover, DRA has withdrawn its opposition to this application because it received and evaluated information it requested from Buyer, allaying its concerns, so the application is no longer controversial.

Our intention is to approve the consummation of a longstanding transaction in which Dewante, as both owner and manager of the company, will assume full ownership and control and relieve Robertson of any involvement whatsoever. Buyer will fully assume, and Seller will relinquish, the entire benefit and burden of furnishing service to customers of the system as a public utility.