20240603Notice_of_Petition_Order_No_36205.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
June 3,2024
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF IDAHO POWER ) CASE NO. IPC-E-24-19
COMPANY'S PETITION TO UPDATE THE )
COLSTRIP-RELATED ADJUSTABLE ) NOTICE OF PETITION
PORTION OF ITS AVOIDED COST RATES )
FOR EXISTING PURPA CONTRACTS ) NOTICE OF
MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36205
On May 9,2024,Idaho Power Company("Company")petitioned the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission ("Commission) for an order implementing the annual update to the Colstrip-related
adjustable portion of the published avoided cost rates for certain qualifying facilities ("QF")under
the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 ("Petition"). The annual update to the Colstrip
Method is proposed to take effect on the Company's requested effective date of July 1, 2024.
The Commission now sets deadlines for commenting on the Petition.
BACKGROUND
In 1999 the Commission established a method for the annual adjustable-rate portion of
avoided costs for those QF contracts using variable costs associated with Colstrip—a coal-fired
generating facility in southeast Montana. Order No. 28708, Case No. GNR-E-99-01.
NOTICE OF PETITION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the "QF contracts with Colstrip-related fuel costs
and variable O&M, future Colstrip variable cost adjustments are to be calculated by using Avista's
FERC Form 1 Colstrip Unit Coal Costs per megawatt hour("MWh") and adding $2.00 per MWh
(the average variable O&M cost of Colstrip plus $0.20 per MWh for generation taxes plus a five
percent adjustment for line loss)." Petition at 2. Relevant pages from Avista Corporation's
("Avista") FERC Form I are attached to the Company's Petition as Attachment A.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that as computed by the Company,the Colstrip-related
adjustable rate will change from 21.67 mills/kilowatt hour("kWh") to 22.74 mills/kWh, effective
July 1, 2024.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that as directed by the Commission in Order No. 35841,
the Company stated that it was using data from Avista's FERC Form 1 until such an approach is
NOTICE OF PETITION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36205 1

no longer possible. At that point, the Company plans to use data from NorthWestern Energy's
FERC Form 1 for the remainder of the necessary updates (unless data availability becomes an
issue).1
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Petition is available for public inspection during
regular business hours at the Commission's office. The Petition is also available on the
Commission's website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on the "ELECTRIC" icon, select "Open
Cases," and click on the case number as shown on the front of this document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held pursuant
to the Commission's jurisdiction under Title 61 of the Idaho Code, and that all proceedings in this
matter will be conducted pursuant to the Commission's Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000
et seq.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined that the public
interest may not require a formal hearing in this matter, and that it will proceed under Modified
Procedure pursuant to the Commission's Rules of Procedure 201-204, IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204.
The Commission notes that Modified Procedure and written comments have proven to be an
effective means for obtaining public input and participation.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons desiring to state a position on this Petition
may file a written comment explaining why the person supports or opposes the Petition. Persons
who would like a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written comments and explain
why written comments alone are insufficient. Persons interested in filing written comments
must do so by June 12, 2024. Comments must be filed through the Commission's website or by
e-mail unless computer access is unavailable. To comment electronically, please access the
Commission's website at http://www.puc.idaho.gov/. Click the "Case Comment Form" and
complete the form using the case number as it appears on the front of this document.
To file by e-mail, persons must e-mail the comments to the Commission Secretary and all
parties at the e-mail addresses listed below. Persons submitting a comment by e-mail must provide
their name, address, and the Case Number under which they are commenting. Persons submitting
1 On January 16, 2023, Avista entered into an agreement with Northwestern Energy and will transfer its 15 percent
ownership in Colstrip Units 3 and 4 to NorthWestern Energy, effective December 31, 2025. Petition at 3. If data
availability becomes an issue, the Company will work with Staff to develop a new method in accordance with the
Commission's directive in Order No. 35841.
NOTICE OF PETITION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36205 2

a comment by e-mail also acknowledge that submitting a comment in an open case constitutes a
public record under Idaho Code § 74-101(13), and all information provided by such person is
available for public and media inspection.
If computer access is unavailable, then comments may be mailed to the Commission and
the Parties at the addresses below.Persons submitting a comment by mail must provide their name,
address, and the Case Number under which they are commenting. Persons submitting a comment
by mail also acknowledge that submitting a comment in an open case constitutes a public record
under Idaho Code§74-101(13),and all information provided by such person is available for public
and media inspection.
For the Idaho Public Utilities For Idaho Power:
Commission:
Commission Secretary Donovan Walker
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Megan Goicoechea Allen
P.O. Box 83720 Camille Christen
Boise, ID 83720-0074 Idaho Power Company
1221 West Idaho Street 83702
Street Address for Express Mail: P.O. Box 70
Boise, ID 83707-0070
11331 W. Chinden Blvd. dwalkergidahopower.com
Building 8, Suite 201-A mgoicoecheaallenkidahopower.com
Boise, ID 83714 cchristen(aidahopower.com
secretgakpuc.idaho.gov docketskidahopower.com
energycontractskidahopower.com
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company must file any reply comments by
June 18, 2024.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are received
within the time limit set, the Commission will consider this matter on its merits and enter its final
order without a formal hearing. If written comments are received within the time limit set, the
Commission will consider them and, in its discretion, may set the same for formal hearing.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Petition be processed by Modified Procedure, Rules
201-204.Persons interested in filing written comments must do so by June 12,2024.The Company
must file any reply comments by June 18, 2024.
NOTICE OF PETITION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36205 3

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that parties comply with Order No. 35375, issued April 21,
2022. Generally, all pleadings should be filed with the Commission electronically and will be
deemed timely filed when received by the Commission Secretary.See Rule 14.02. Service between
parties should continue to be accomplished electronically when possible. However, voluminous
discovery-related documents may be filed and served on CD-ROM or a USB flash drive.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 3rd day of
June 2024.
ERIC ANDERSON, PRESIDENT
J R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER
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EDWARD LODGE, CO ISSIONER
ATTEST:
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Commission Secretary
IALega1\ELECTRIC\IPC-E-24-19_Colstrip ACR\orders\Ntc_App_Mod_md.docx
NOTICE OF PETITION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36205 4