980610.docx

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER HANSEN
COMMISSIONER NELSON
COMMISSIONER SMITH
MYRNA WALTERS
TONYA CLARK
DON HOWELL
STEPHANIE MILLER
DAVE SCHUNKE
RICK STERLING
DAVID SCOTT
WORKING FILE
FROM:SCOTT WOODBURY
DATE:JUNE 10, 1998
RE:WWP ELECTRIC INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN (IRP)—1999
WWP NATURAL GAS INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN (IRP)—1999
On May 19, 1998, The Washington Water Power Company (Water Power; Company) filed a May 15, 1998, letter request with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (Commission) requesting Commission authorization to postpone its scheduled August 1999 electric IRP filing until August 2000, and then every two years thereafter.  By prior Commission Order No. 22299 the Company is required to file every two years.
Also on May 19, 1998, Water Power filed a May 12, 1998, letter request with the Commission requesting Commission authorization to postpone its scheduled February 1999 natural gas IRP filing until February 2000, and then every two years thereafter.  By prior Commission Order No. 25342 the Company is required to file every two years.
The Company represents that recent changes and activity in the electric industry and anticipated future changes in the industry at the national and state levels (e.g., customer choice; retail competition; open market; deregulation; reregulation) have created significant uncertainty, uncertainty that necessitates a need for more time to assess the unfolding changes, reregulation and its potential impacts on the Company.  An extra year will give Water Power, working with regulatory staffs, time to determine what information needs to be included in the next IRP.  The Company represents a delay in both the electric and natural gas IRPs would result in a better alignment between the electric and gas IRPs regarding load and economic forecasts.
The Company remains committed to the IRP process, believes that the IRP process provides meaningful benefit to its customers and is an ardent supporter of public involvement in the process.  The Company has contacted its other state regulatory commissions recommending a similar postponement.
Staff Analysis
Staff supports the Company in its request for a one year postponement in its scheduled electric and natural gas IRP filings.  Staff recommends that the Commission assign a case number to each letter request, treat the matter as a Rule 53(a) petition requesting modification, amendment or stay of an existing Order, and in lieu of further notice or modified procedure and upon a finding of good cause issue a final Order approving the requested change.
Commission Decision
Does the Commission agree with the procedure proposed by Staff?  If not, what is the Commission’s preference?

Scott Woodbury
vld/M:WWP.sw