20241001MIN.pdf

IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
October 1, 2024— 1:30 p.m.
In attendance was Commissioner Eric Anderson,Commissioner John R. Hammond, Jr. and Commissioner
Lodge.Commissioner Anderson called the meeting to order.
The first order of business was the APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING
on September 24, 2024.The Commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes as written.
The next order of business was CONSENT AGENDA:
2. Action Item: Dayn Hardie's October 1,2024,Decision Memorandum re: In the Matter of Rocky
Mountain Power's Application for a Prudency Determination of Its Demand Side Management
Expenses Incurred in 2022 and 2023; Case No.PAC-E-24-10.
3. Action Item: Michael Duval's October 1,2024,Decision Memorandum re:In the Matter of Idaho
Power Company's Application for Authority to Fund Its Continued Participation in the Northwest
Energy Efficiency Alliance Through the Energy Efficiency Rider for 2025-2029; Case No. IPC-E-24-
35.
4. Action Item: Adam Triplett's October 1,2024,Decision Memorandum re:In the Matter ofAvista
Corporation's Annual Compliance Filing to Update the Load and Gas Forecasts in the Incremental
Cost Integrated Resource Plan Avoided Cost Model to Be Used for Avoided Cost Calculations; Case
No.AVU-E-24-10.
5. Action Item: Adam Triplett's October 1,2024,Decision Memorandum re:In the Matter ofAvista
Corporation's Application for the Extension of Avista's Electric and Natural Gas Fixed Cost
Adjustment Mechanisms in the State of Idaho; Case Nos.AVU-E-24-11 and AVU-G-24-04.
6. Action Item: Adam Triplett's October 1,2024,Decision Memorandum re:In the Matter of Capitol
Water Corporation's Application to Increase Its Rates and Charges for Water Service in the State of
Idaho; Case No.CAP-W-24-01.
Commissioner Anderson made a motion to approve Staff's recommendations for Items 2 through 6 under
the Consent Agenda. A vote was taken on the motion, and it carried unanimously.
The next order of business was MATTERS IN PROGRESS:
7. Action Item: Chris Burdin's October 1, 2024, Decision Memorandum re: In the Matter of the
Joint Petition of Clearwater Paper Corporation,Avista Corporation and Sofidel America Corp.for

Approval of a Contract Temporarily Waiving Avista's Prohibition Against Master-Metering Its
Electric Services; Case No.AVU-E-24-12.
Mr.Burdin presented the decision memorandum regarding the joint petition requesting a temporary waiver
of the prohibition against master metering for electric services. The petitioners have also requested
expedited processing with a final decision and final order issued by October 28, 2024. Staff
recommendations are as follows: 21-day initial comment period ending October 22,2024,and 3-day reply
comment period ending on October 25, 2024. Mr. Burdin notified the commission that in order to oblige
the petitioners request of granting approval by October 28 would require deliberation and order issuance
on the same day.
Mr. Richardson, Counsel for Clearwater Paper Corporation, briefed the commission on this matter.
Clearwater Paper Corporation is selling its tissue-making facilities in Lewiston to Sofidel America Corp.
Avista's tariff prohibits resale or giveaway of purchased electricity, affecting Sofidel's operations starting
October 28, 2024. Separation of electrical services from the tissue plant is not feasible for three years due
to supply chain constraints. The Temporary waiver is needed by October 28 to comply with purchase
agreement terms and avoid financial consequences.Which is why the petitioners are asking for a shortened
comment period.The petitioners'proposed timeline is as follows:Initial Comments due October 15,2024,
Reply Comments due October 18, 2024, and Order issued by October 28, 2024.
Commissioner Hammond expressed concerns regarding some the potential challenges to meet the requested
timeline.Prior commitments and scheduled meetings may affect the commission's availability.
Commissioner Anderson stressed the importance of not being punitive while accommodating urgent needs.
Commissioner Anderson made a motion to approve the petitioners requested timeline as detailed above.A
vote was taken on the motion, and it carried unanimously.
8. Action Item: Adam Triplett's October 1,2024, Decision Memorandum re: In the Matter of the
Investigation Into Valiant Idaho, Inc. and TIC Utilities, LLC, Owners of a Northern Idaho Water
Supply and Distribution System; Case No.GNR-W-24-01.
Mr.Triplett presented the decision memorandum the investigation into Valiant Idaho,Inc.and TIC Utilities,
LLC. On September 6,2024 (Order#36312)determined Valiant Idaho,Inc. as a public utility and directed
Valiant to take steps to obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). On September
9, 2024, Valiant distributed a letter to its customers indicating there would be a rate increase from $45 to
$100 per month effective October 1, 2024. On September 24, 2024, Staff contacted Valiant's counsel
regarding the rate increase letter. Soon after Valiant's counsel (Mister Brooks) communicated that the
company would not raise rates and would notify customers accordingly. After staff s discussion with
Valiant's counsel,staff filed a motion for a commission order directing Valiant to: (1)Charge only the rates
effective on September 6,2024 and(2)Submit evidence that customers have been notified of the retraction
of the rate increase.
Mr.Brooks, counsel for Valiant Idaho,Inc, confirmed agreement with staff s assessment, affirmed that the
retraction letter had been sent to all customers, and ensured compliance with PUC regulations moving
forward.
Commissioner Anderson made a motion to issue an order directing Valiant Idaho, Inc to: (1) Charge only
the rates effective on September 6, 2024 and (2) Submit evidence of customer notification regarding the
rate hold. A vote was taken on the motion, and it carried unanimously.

The next order of business was FULLY SUBMITTED MATTERS:
9.Deliberation Memorandum re:In the Matter of Idaho Power Company's Application for Approval
of Amendments to the Energy Services Agreements with Micron and Brisbie and request for Updated
Pricing Elements Based on 2023 IRP; Case No.IPC-E-24-23 [Adam Triplett,Attorney].
Commissioner Anderson stated that Item 9 under Fully Submitted Matters would be deliberated privately.
Commissioner Anderson stated there was no further business before the Commission and the meeting was
adjourned.
.,- 10/08/2024
CO As SECRETARY DATE OF APPROVAL