20240906Notice_of_Application_Order_No_36314.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
September 6,2024
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF COMMISSION ) CASE NO. GNR-E-24-01
STAFF'S APPLICATION TO UPDATE )
INPUTS TO THE SURROGATE AVOIDED ) NOTICE OF APPLICATION
RESOURCE METHOD AVOIDED COST )
RATES ) NOTICE OF INTERVENTION
DEADLINE
NOTICE OF MODIFIED
PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36314
On August 16, 2024, Staff of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission ("Staff') applied for
an order (1) updating Surrogate Avoided Resource Model ("SAR Model") inputs; (2) making
administrative changes to the SAR Model; and (3) approving SAR-based avoided cost rates
included with the Application. Staff asserts that updating the SAR Model inputs is necessary
because the U.S. Energy Information Administration ("EIA") did not publish an Annual Energy
Outlook in 2024, which previously served as the basis for annual SAR Model updates. Staff
proposes using different inputs to update the SAR Model until a new EIA forecast becomes
available. Staff requested this matter be processed via Modified Procedure.
The Commission now issues this Notice of Application, Notice of Intervention deadline,
and Notice of Modified Procedure and sets deadlines by which interested persons may intervene.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that, in Order No. 32697, the Commission found it
appropriate to update the SAR Model with the most recent annual gas forecast from EIA's Annual
Energy Outlook.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Staff represents that the EIA did not publish an
Annual Energy Outlook in 2024. Therefore, changing the inputs to update the SAR Model is
necessary.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Staff proposes using "the average of AECO Hub
prices, Stanfield Hub prices, Sumas Hub prices, and Opal Hub prices from the December 2023
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36314 1

natural gas price forecast published by Northwest Power and Conservation Council"to update the
SAR Model until the EIA forecast becomes available. Application at 2.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Staff proposes separating the SAR Model into a
separate model for each of Idaho's three largest electric utilities (i.e., an Avista SAR Model, an
Idaho Power SAR Model, and a Rocky Mountain Power SAR Model.). Staff contends this will
simplify the update process by avoiding multiple simultaneous updates to a single model by
different utilities.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application and Attachments have been filed
with the Commission and are available for public inspection during regular business hours at the
Commission's office. These documents are also available on the Commission's website at
www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on the "Electric"icon, select"Open Cases,"and then 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 INTERVENTION DEADLINE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons desiring to intervene in this matter to
obtain parties' rights of participation must file a Petition to Intervene with the Commission
pursuant to this Commission's Rules of Procedure 72 and 73, IDAPA 31.01.01.072 and -.073.
Persons who wish to intervene as a party must file a Petition to Intervene no later than 21
days after the date of service of this Order. Such persons shall also provide the Commission
Secretary with their email address to facilitate further communications. After the intervention
deadline runs, the Commission Secretary shall issue a Notice of Parties that identifies the parties
and assigns exhibit numbers to each party. Once the Notice of Parties has issued, Commission
Staff shall informally confer with the Company and any intervening parties about how to further
process this case and shall then report back to the Commission on a proposed case schedule.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons who would like to present their views
without parties' rights of participation and cross-examination do not have to intervene but may
present their views by submitting written comments to the Commission.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36314 2

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 it will review the case through written
submissions under the Commission's Rules of Modified Procedure Rules 201-204 of the Idaho
Public Utilities Commission's Rules of Procedure, 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
Application may file a written comment explaining why they support or oppose the Application.
Persons who would like a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written comments.
Persons shall have until October 10, 2024, to file written comments. 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 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
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.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36314 3

For the Idaho PUC:
Commission Secretary Adam Triplett
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Deputy Attorney General
P.O. Box 83720 Idaho Public Utilities Commission
Boise, ID 83720-0074 P.O. Box 83720
secretMgpuc.idaho.gov Boise, ID 83720-0074
Street Address for Express Mail:
11331 W. Chinden Blvd.
Building 8, Suite 201-A
Boise, ID 83714
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Staff must file any reply comments by October
24, 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 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 persons desiring to intervene in this matter must file a
Petition to Intervene no later than 21 days from the service date of this Order. Once the deadline
has passed, the Commission Secretary shall prepare and issue a Notice of Parties.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Staff s Application be processed by Modified Procedure,
Rules 201-204. Persons interested in submitting written comments must do so by October 10,
2024. Staff must file any reply comments by October 24, 2024.
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.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36314 4

DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 6t' day of
September 2024.
ERIC ANDERSON, PRESIDENT
J R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER
G
Gv�
ED ARD LODGE, CO MI ONER
ATTEST:
Moni ios- a e
Commission Secretary
I:\Legat\ELECTRIC\GNR-E-24-01_SAR\orders\GNRE2401 NtcApp_Mod_Int_at.docx
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36314 5