20240612News Release.pdf

Idaho Public Utilities Commission Brad Litile,Governor
P.O. Banc 83720. Boise, ID 83720-0074 Eric Anderson, President
John R.Mammo* Jr,Commissioner
Edward Lodge,Commissioner
Case No. IPC-E-24-14
Order No. 36220
Contact: Adam Rush
Office: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
NEWS RELEASE: Commission is accepting written comments on utility's application to
include non-fuel operations and maintenance expenses in balancing account.
BOISE (June 12, 2024)—The Idaho Public Utilities Commission is accepting written comments
on an application from Idaho Power to include non-fuel operations and maintenance expenses
associated with plant operations in the Jim Bridger Power Plant balancing account.
The power plant is located near Rock Springs, Wyoming, and consists of four generating units.
PacifiCorp has two-thirds ownership of the plant and is the operator of it. Idaho Power owns
one-third of the plant. Idaho Power and PacifiCorp jointly make decisions regarding the plant,
including required investments and the retirement of the plant.
Idaho Power's coal plants have transitioned in recent years to having a lifespan dictated by
economic and regulatory factors. The utility said because the economic and regulatory factors
that will determine the plant's actual operating life are likely to shift and change over the next
years, it was important for the utility to have a cost recovery mechanism that could mitigate rate
volatility that would otherwise exist under a more traditional ratemaking approach. In a previous
order, the public utilities commission approved a balancing account mechanism that is designed
to smooth revenue requirement impacts associated with the elimination of coal-fired operations
at the plant and full recovery of coal-related costs by Dec. 31, 2030.
Idaho Power and PacifiCorp are in the process of converting the plant from coal-fired to a natural
gas plant. Once gas-fired operations begin, the utilities will be required to make capital
investments necessary for operation. In addition, non-fuel operation and maintenance expenses
will continue, including costs for day-to-day supervision, maintenance, administration and
general operation. Non-fuel operation and maintenance expenses include labor expenses, non-
labor project costs such as materials and supplies, use of contractors and outside services,
equipment and vehicles, equipment leases, travel, environmental remediation costs, and
administrative and general expenses, among other items.
The commission is accepting written comments on Idaho Power's application until Aug. 20,
2024. Comments are required to be filed through the commission's website or by e-mail unless
computer access is not available. To submit comments using the commission website,please
visit puc.idaho.gov and click on the "Case Comment Form" link on the upper left side of the

page. Please use case number IPC-E-24-14 when filling out the form. The commenter should
also include their name and address. If using e-mail, comments are required to be sent to the
commission secretary and Idaho Power at the e-mail addresses listed below. Commenters should
include their name, address and case number IPC-E-24-14. If computer access is not available,
comments can be mailed to the commission and Idaho Power at the addresses listed below.
Those submitting comments through the mail are required to include their name, address and
case number IPC-E-24-14.
For the Idaho Public Utilities Commission:
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
[e-mail]
Street address for express mail:
11331 W. Chinden Blvd.
Building 8, Suite 201-A
Boise, ID 83714
For Idaho Power:
Lisa D. Nordstrom
Idaho Power Company
1221 West Idaho Street(83702)
P.O. Box 70
Boise, ID 83707
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
Tim Tatum
Idaho Power Company
1221 West Idaho Street(83702)
P.O. Box 70
Boise, ID 83707
[e-mail]
Additional information on Idaho Power's application is available at
puc.idaho.gov/case/Details/7293.