20171005MIN.docx

IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITES COMMISSION
MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING
October 10, 2017 – 1:30 PM
In attendance were Commissioners Paul Kjellander, Kristine Raper and Eric Anderson. Commissioner Kjellander called the meeting to order.
The first order of business was APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING on Monday, October 5, 2017. The Commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes as written.
The second order of business was CONSENT AGENDA:
2. Carolee Hall’s October 2, 2017, Decision Memorandum re: The 2016 Broadband Equipment Tax Credit Application for Inland Cellular, LLC; Case No. INC-T-17-01.
3. Stacey Donohue’s October 4, 2017, Decision Memorandum re: Intermountain Gas Company – Compliance Filings: (1) INT-G-16-02: Application for Approval to Change Rates and Charges; (2) INTG-17-03: Application for Authority to Implement DSM Program Funding Mechanism; and (3) INT-G-1705: PGA Application.
4. Brandon Karpen’s October 2, 2017, Decision Memorandum re: Rocky Mountain’s 2017 Electric Integrated Resource Plan; Case No. PAC-E-17-03.
5. Daphne Huang’s October 3, 2017, Decision Memorandum re: Idaho Power’s Application to Approve or reject Energy Sales Agreement with Shorock Hydro, Inc. for Rock Creek Hydro Facility; Case No. IPC-E-17-14.
6. Camille Christen’s October 3, 2017, Decision Memorandum re: The Application of Pacificorp dba Rocky Mountain Power for Authorization to Revise the Wind Integration Rate and Implement a Solar Integration Rate for Small Power Generation Qualifying Facilities; Case No. PAC-E-17-11.
Commissioner Kjellander moved that item 5 on the Consent Agenda be held until the next Decision Meeting on October 10, 2017. A voted was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.
Commissioner Kjellander returned to the Consent Agenda, there were no further questions and Commissioner Kjellander made a motion to approve Staff’s recommendation for items 2, 3, 4 and 6 on the Consent Agenda. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.
The next order of business was MATTERS IN PROGRESS:
7. Brandon Karpen’s September 14, 2017, Decision Memorandum re: Investigation into VP Inc., an Unregulated Northern Idaho Water Company.
Brandon Karpen reviewed his Decision Memo; he stated,staff is requesting the Commission direct the opening of investigation into VP Inc., a private Unregulated Water Company. Staff believesthere is enough evidence that the company may need to be regulated by the Commission. Mr. Karpen stated, the investigation is believed to be lengthy, since about half of the water company is in disputed ownership.
Commissioner Kjellander asked if there was any further questions.
Commissioner Raper asked Mr. Karpen if there was an informal or informal complaint with the Commissioner currently.
Chris Hecht, stated that there is an information complaint opened by William Haberman, Manager for Valiant Idaho LLC. asking that the company be regulated.
Commissioner Raper asked if the informal complaint would be part of the investigation.
Commissioner Kjellander stated he did not have a problem with opening up the formal complaint process, he asked that we include a way for them to remain a neighborhood association without the need for being regulated; if it is determined that being regulated is not in their best interest.
Commissioner Raper made a motion that the Commission direct Staff to open an investigation into VP Inc., to determine if the utility should be regulated, to keep us informed and recommend further action.
A voted was taken on the motion and carried unanimously.
8. Daphne Huang’s September 29, 2017, Decision Memorandum re: ICL’s Request for Hearing in Avista’s 2017 Electric Integrated Resource Plan (IRP); Case No. AVU-E-17-08.
Ms. Huang reviewed her Decision Memo, Idaho Conservation League has requested a public hearing identifying a number of reasons including that the customers feel more comfortable expressing themselves orally rather than in writing. Customers in the area have requested a public hearing to take place in the Sandpoint area, staff has not taken a position on the request.
Commissioner Raper made a motion to grant the Idaho Conservation League request for a public hearing, to use the telephonic hearing process unless one or more parties make a request to the Commission for us to be there in person.
A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.
9. Sean Costello’s September 29, 2017, Decision Memorandum re: Petition for Renewable Energy Coalition for Late Intervention of Idaho Power Company’s 2017 Integrated Resource Plan; Case No. IPCE-17-11.
Commissioner Kjellander made a motion that the Commission grant the request for a late intervention.
A voted was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.
The next order of business was FULLY SUBMITTED MATTERS:
10. Deliberation re: In the Matter of the Application of Grouse Point Water Company, LLC, for Authority to Increase its Rates and Charges for Water Service; Case No. GPW-W-17-01. [Brandon Karpen, Attorney]
11. Deliberation re: Kiki Tidwell’s Late Petition for Intervenor Funding in Idaho Power’s Application for Wood River Valley CPCN; Case No. IPC-E-16-28. [Daphne Huang, Attorney]
Commissioner Kjellander announced that items 10 through 11 would be deliberated privately.
There was no further business before the Commission and Commissioner Kjellander adjourned the meeting.
__________________________________________________________________ COMMISSION SECRETARYDATE OF APPROVAL