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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAttch40_IPCE0113_Comments_LAWFund.pdfCOMMENTS -- 1 William M. Eddie (ISB# 5800) Laird J. Lucas (ISB# 4733) LAND AND WATER FUND OF THE ROCKIES P.O. Box 1612 Boise, ID 83701 (208) 342-7024 fax: (208) 342-8286 lawfund2@rmci.net Express Mail: 1320 W. Franklin St. Boise, ID 83702 BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION IN THE MATTER OF THE INVESTIGATION ) OF INCREASED DEMAND-SIDE MANAGEMENT ) PROGRAMS AND THE FUNDING OF THOSE )CASE NO. IPC-E-01-13 PROGRAMS FOR IDAHO POWER COMPANY ) ________________________________________________) COMMENTS OF IRU, IRC, NWEC, AND MARY MCGOWN Idaho Rivers United, Idaho Rural Council, Northwest Energy Coalition, and Mary McGown (“Intervenors”) strongly support the re-establishment of demand-side management (DSM) programs for Idaho Power. Given the unstable electricity marketplace and Idaho Power's projected need for additional resources, implementation of effective DSM through increased energy efficiency will provide critically needed system reliability, as well as protection to consumers against increases in electricity rates. Now more than ever, effective DSM is strongly in the public interest. Intervenors believe it is critically important that a DSM program be approved as soon as possible, and at least prior to winter 2001-02, in order to address the concerns raised by the Commission in Order No. 28722 with respect to residential customers using electric space heating. The programs approved should strongly emphasize increased energy efficiency, rather COMMENTS -- 2 than curtailment, to provide long-term benefits to ratepayers. We request initial approval of such a program as proposed by Idaho Power, with the modifications and monitoring tools suggested herein. However, Intervenors have serious concerns with several aspects of the Company’s proposed DSM program, including the following:  Planning, monitoring and verification: Intervenors request that the Commission direct the Company to initiate an independent study evaluating all cost-effective DSM opportunities in Idaho Power’s service territory. This study, as well as a detailed DSM Plan, would be submitted to the Commission 90 days after approval of the initial program, at which time the Commission and the public could review the overall DSM package as necessary to ensure reasonable and prudent delivery of DSM services.  Funding : A funding level of 0.5% of revenues is below the level of DSM investment now undertaken by other regional utilities, and is insufficient to ensure implementation of all cost-effective DSM opportunities. Intervenors request the tariff rider funding level be increased to 1.5% of revenues initially, with a planned ramp-up to 3% of revenues over a three year period, and that the rider continue in effect indefinitely.  Public process: We request the Commission order Idaho Power to conduct deliberative polling, or similar procedures to elicit informed public opinion for development of the Company’s next Integrated Resource Plan, on issues such as rates, energy supply, energy efficiency and renewables.  Incentives for DSM: Intervenors request that the Commission initiate proceedings to evaluate the establishment of incentives for DSM, including through performance-based incentives, or through a de-coupling mechanism. COMMENTS -- 3 I.INCREASED DSM IS STRONGLY IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST Improved energy efficiency is vital to a rational, balanced energy policy. Better use of energy – not simply curtailment -- provides great economic benefits for ratepayers. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) notes that without the tremendous gains in energy efficiency gains since 1973, Americans “would have spent at least $430 billion more on energy purchases in 2000.” Testimony of Patrick Quinlan, ACEEE at Department of Energy Public Hearings, Washington DC, June 26, 2001. The Idaho Statesman recently reported that Idahoans have the highest per capita energy use of any state in the nation. The PUC also recently approved Idaho Power’s largest rate increase in its history, in large part to cover the Company’s purchases of power on the wholesale market. Giving ratepayers the tools to use energy more efficiently will lessen the burden of such rate increases and help forestall the need for future rate increases. Idaho Power’s proposed DSM programs, outlined in Appendix 3 to its Compliance Filing, indicate an estimated levelized total resource cost of between 2 and 4¢ per kWh – well below recent rates on the wholesale electricity market, and below current production costs for most generation facilities. Greater energy efficiency fosters a more reliable power system. Reducing demand on the system leaves it less vulnerable to supply shortages and price spikes and helps relieve capacity constraints on the transmission and distribution system. When utilities have difficulty meeting demand, it is a signal that our energy policy is out of balance. The response to this situation must include an increased focus on DSM. DSM efforts in already-efficient California have been responsible for massive energy savings, which have helped prevent rolling blackouts in that state this year. By June 2001, reductions had reached almost 4,800 megawatts, a drop of more COMMENTS -- 4 than 12 percent in peak electricity use from June 2000. Improved efficiency reduces the total costs of energy services to residences, business, and institutions, and provides a growing benefit to the economy over time. Future electric energy and capacity costs can be avoided through demand-side measures, and the value of these avoided cost savings is likely to be far greater than the total costs of implementing a well-designed DSM portfolio. Targeted DSM measures can also reduce the need for expensive transmission infrastructure upgrades. Moreover, reduced energy consumption by individuals and businesses reduces energy bills and creates further economic benefits in addition to reduced costs to the utility. In Utah, an energy efficiency advisory committee created by the Utah Public Service Commission sponsored a study to identify cost-effective DSM opportunities in that state. See Attachment 1, (Nichols, D. and Von Hippel, D., An Economic Analysis of Achievable New Demand-Side Management Opportunities in Utah, March 2001). The study identified a suite of DSM opportunities that are estimated to result in 680 MW of peak demand savings by 2006. The package of DSM is estimated to have a total resource cost of $370 million and result in capacity and energy resource savings of $1.44 billion for a net benefit of $1.08 billion (year 2000 dollars) and a benefit-to-cost ratio of 3.9 to 1. Greater energy efficiency and load management will flatten demand peaks. Attachment 2 (ACEEE, Electric System Reliability and the Critical Role of Energy Efficiency). This will reduce the need for costly wholesale power purchases by utilities. It may also allow Idaho Power to operate its system more efficiently by operating at a higher load factor. Reduced demand peaks will also decrease impacts of Idaho’s hydropower system on recreation, water quality, and threatened and endangered fish. Peaking operations are among the COMMENTS -- 5 most environmentally damaging aspects of hydropower operations due to extreme fluctuations in river flows. Energy production from hydropower dams is largely responsible for the decline of Snake River salmon and steelhead. Energy production from fossil fuels is a major cause of air pollution and global warming, and has significant impacts on land and water resources. Improved energy efficiency and load management is truly a win-win scenario for ratepayers who enjoy both environmental and economic benefits. II. COMMENTS ON IPC’S PROPOSED DSM PROGRAM, AND PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS Planning, Monitoring, and Verification Careful analysis for DSM planning, as well as monitoring and verification of DSM expenditures and programs, are of critical importance to ensure that customer dollars are prudently spent. Intervenors believe DSM program goals can best be defined in terms of actual energy savings, expressed in reduced total consumption and reduced peak demand attributable to DSM efforts. Unfortunately, we lack information that might inform a reasonable system-wide demand-savings goal for the first year of a program. Initiation of the comprehensive study requested herein would allow for the creation of achievable system-wide DSM goals into the future. Until system-wide goals can be determined, program-by-program performance targets would help in evaluating Idaho Power’s DSM efforts. While approving an initial DSM program, the Commission should direct Idaho Power to promptly fund and initiate an independent study identifying cost-effective DSM opportunities in its service territory. Intervenors have attached a sample of the type independent study we believe would be of great value in Idaho Power’s service territory. See Attachment 1 (discussed supra). An assessment of end uses and markets in all rate classes to establish which technologies and COMMENTS -- 6 practices are suitable for the Idaho market, and therefore should be promoted through new programs, would provide needed technical and economic grounding to any comprehensive DSM program. The total resource cost perspective is the best approach to use in evaluating the cost- effectiveness of DSM programs, since it compares the total incremental costs of the program (including private costs incurred by customers, such as their share of efficiency technologies net of any rebates) with their total resource benefits in terms of avoided costs of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. Avoided costs also provide an important benchmark in determining what level of financial incentives to participating customers are warranted in view of the level of resource savings. Other benefits of DSM, including reduced impacts to the environment and direct economic benefits to customers who reduce energy consumption, are more difficult to quantify, yet are important to recognize.1 The Commission should also direct Idaho Power to file, within 90 days of initial program approval, a DSM Plan detailing technical measures to be promoted, program design features, implementation schedules and budgets, target participation levels over time, and estimated impacts on electricity use. Also included would be plans for monitoring program progress, as well as plans for independent evaluations of the impacts and cost-effectiveness of each program 1 The Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act defines the term “cost-effective” in a way that captures some of these aspects. A “cost-effective” measure or resource “must be forecast – (i) to be reliable and available within the time it is needed, and (ii) to meet or reduce the electric power demand . . . at an estimated incremental system cost no greater than that of the least-cost similarly reliable and available alternative measure or resource, or any combination thereof.” The Act defines “system cost” as “an estimate of all direct costs of a measure or resource over its effective life, including, if applicable, the cost of distribution and transmission to the customer and . . . waste disposal costs, end-of-cycle costs, and fuel costs (including projected increases), and such quantifiable environmental costs and benefits as the Administrator COMMENTS -- 7 as participation levels grow. The DSM Plan would include provisions for regular reporting on this activity and results. Naturally, data and information developed for the requested independent study would be useful in developing the DSM Plan, and vice versa. Intervenors support the concept of using an Energy Advisory Group to assist in ongoing DSM planning and implementation. The group should be composed of a cross-section of the community. Members should be drawn from the following constituencies: (1) one member from each rate class; (2) Commission staff; (3) Company staff; (4) a member appointed by the Community Action Agencies; and (5) a member appointed by the Northwest Energy Coalition. Funding Intervenors support the basic structure of using a tariff rider to provide a steady funding source for DSM programs. However, we believe a funding level of 0.5% of revenues is insufficient. Intervenors request that the PUC increase the funding to a level commensurate with DSM investment by most other investor-owned utilities in the Northwest. Specifically, Intervenors recommend that the Commission approve a DSM tariff rider of 1.5% of revenues initially, ramping up to 3% of revenues within three years of program implementation, and that the tariff rider continue in effect indefinitely. Intervenors believe this level of funding will help ensure that all cost-effective DSM opportunities in Idaho Power’s service territory are fully explored. DSM investment by other investor-owned utilities in the Northwest is generally far higher than proposed by Idaho Power, and certainly higher than found in the 1999 study cited by the Company. Compliance Filing at 7. The Commission recently approved Avista’s request to increase DSM investment from 1% to 1.95% of revenues. Order No. 28750. This amount determines . . . are directly attributable to such measure or resource.” 16 U.S.C. § 839a COMMENTS -- 8 includes Avista’s contributions to the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. Although Idaho Power cites Avista as “one of the leaders in energy efficiency spending,” in fact Avista’s DSM investment level is comparable to or below most other investor-owned utilities in the Northwest. In Oregon, all investor-owned utilities except Idaho Power will be subject to a 3% charge for public purpose programs starting March 1, 2002, once that state’s restructuring law takes effect. ORS § 757.612(3). Monies collected will be used for various programs: 1.7% of revenues will be used for DSM programs, and about 0.5% for renewable energy development. A significant portion of the remaining approximate 0.8% of revenues will also be spent on DSM and related activities for low-income weatherization, schools, housing, and other programs. Id. Montana now utilizes a program similar to Oregon’s forthcoming system: each utility pays 2.4% of their 1995 revenues for a universal system benefit charge (USBC), and that money is used to pay for different programs approved by the Montana Public Service Commission (Montana PSC). For example, Montana Power’s total obligation at this level is almost $8.6 million per year, based on 1995 revenues of approximately $356 million. Montana PSC, Order 5986g (1999). The Montana PSC allocated these USBC funds as follows: $5.4 million for conservation programs, with a good portion of remaining funds also used for low-income weatherization services. Id. at 33. The Utah Public Service Commission approved four new PacifiCorp DSM programs in June 2001, with projected DSM budgets equal to roughly 1.5% of Utah Power’s annual revenues. See Attachment 3 (Testimony of Brian Hedman, Utah Power, Transcript of Proceedings, Utah PSC Docket No. 01-035-01, Salt Lake City, August 1, 2001, page 624). In addition, discussions are underway among PacifiCorp and stakeholders for rolling out additional (4). COMMENTS -- 9 programs. The Utah PSC is still evaluating the exact funding mechanism to support these approved programs. In its Washington State service area, PacifiCorp’s tariff rider is set to collect an amount that is equivalent to 1.5% of annual revenues. Id. at 623. In short, other investor-owned utilities in the region are, or soon will be, funding DSM programs at far higher levels than proposed by Idaho Power. It is prudent to increase the funding level for Idaho Power’s DSM programs to 1.5% of revenues separate from NEEA and low- income assistance funding. Adding these other programs, Idaho Power’s initial DSM investment level would approximately match Avista’s. Ultimately, the question of how much DSM investment is just and reasonable in Idaho Power’s service territory will be answered through a comprehensive independent study on cost- effective DSM opportunities and development of a DSM Plan, as requested herein. Intervenors believe that scarce DSM program funding should be spent on programs that provide cost- effective energy savings, and that far more cost-effective DSM opportunities exist in Idaho than could be funded with the initial 1.5% of revenues tariff rider level requested herein. Intervenors seek this initial funding to ensure adequate resources are available to begin developing the business infrastructure necessary to implement all cost-effective DSM opportunities over time. Pending completion of the requested study and DSM Plan, Intervenors believe the most prudent course is for the Commission to approve a DSM tariff rider at 1.5% of revenues, with a planned ramp-up to 3% of revenues, to be effective indefinitely. Public Opinion In claiming to be conflicted over “how to provide a meaningful level of conservation programming while avoiding rate impact concerns,” Idaho Power relies on a June 2001 survey, which partly found that “over half of customers interviewed indicated they would not be willing COMMENTS -- 10 to pay a slightly higher rate to fund energy efficiency programs.” Compliance Filing at 7.2 Intervenors believe this survey asked the wrong questions and may not accurately indicate informed customer opinion. First, Idaho Power appears to have asked a premature question in its attempt to elicit customer opinion on DSM spending. Before being able to respond to the blunt question of whether they would pay more for efficiency programs, customers need to understand the relative costs of alternatives to meeting demand – i.e. what are the varying costs of providing different combinations of new rate-based generation facilities, market purchases of electricity, and DSM programs. Further, it is unclear whether surveyed customers were informed of the environmental and overall system benefits of effective DSM programs.3 The Company does not state how its survey was performed, however results from deliberative polling4 undertaken by Texas utilities indicate that customer willingness to spend money on energy efficiency and renewables significantly increases after the customers are more thoroughly informed on these subjects. For example, a representative study group in Houston 2 Idaho Power’s survey immediately followed the PUC’s approval of a large rate increase for all classes. Customers were just beginning to feel the sting of this rate increase, and thus naturally might have a negative reaction to further rate increases. 3 Since DSM involves up-front investments to capture streams of savings which grow over time, there often is some upward pressure on rates during a period of program ramp-up. However, the mid- to long-term rate impact of DSM depends critically upon the rate at which avoided electric supply costs are increasing. Since the electricity industry is now experiencing upward cost pressures, there may be a net benefit to rates from DSM, as well as benefits to system reliability, the environment, and economic interests of rate payers who save money through reductions in energy use. Use of a rate impact measure test, while not a primary measure of cost-effectiveness, could assist the Company in resolving customer concerns over rate impacts. 4 Deliberative polling is a method of obtaining informed public opinion on any issue. Representative samples of a population learn more about the selected topic through discussions among themselves, and with the help of experts in the field. As indicated by the results from Texas, significant before-and-after differences in opinion are sometimes found. COMMENTS -- 11 was initially reluctant to pay for efficiency and renewables programs. However, after a weekend seminar with a neutral panel of experts, the group was willing to add an average $6.50 to their monthly bill to support renewable energy, and another $3 for efficiency programs. See Attachment 4 (Environmental Defense, February 4, 1998). Results of this deliberative polling effort are being analyzed for a National Renewable Energy Laboratory report, which should be available in coming months. Likewise, in 1999 BPA reviewed public opinion surveys from the Northwest and across the nation, and concluded that “a strong majority of consumers supports utility investments in conservation and renewable resources” and that “consumers say they would be willing to pay more to ensure that their utilities invest in those ‘green’ resources.” Attachment 5 (Abstract of BPA, Renewable Resources and Conservation: What Consumers Want, 1999). Intervenors strongly support public participation and integration of public opinion into energy policy decisionmaking, however it appears that Idaho Power’s survey was not a scientific approach to eliciting informed public opinion on DSM investment. We request that the Commission order Idaho Power to conduct deliberative polling or other procedures to elicit informed public opinion and input on issues of rates, energy supply, conservation, and renewable energy as part of the Company’s next Integrated Resource Plan development. This effort should not be funded through any DSM tariff rider as may be approved by the Commission, but rather included in the cost of IRP development. Because the type of questions asked can cause wild variations in polling results, Intervenors believe it is critically important that any polling efforts be conducted by an independent third party with oversight from the Energy Advisory Group. COMMENTS -- 12 Comments on Idaho Power’s Proposed Programs Intervenors largely support the proposed potential programs suggested by Idaho Power. We believe selected programs should strike a balance strongly favoring market transformation (i.e. long-lasting energy efficiency improvements), but should also provide for load management resource acquisition (such as interruptible industrial power supply or remote control air conditioner shut-off programs) in order to better control peak demand.5 On initial approval of a DSM program, Idaho Power should primarily address the Commissions concerns with respect to customers using electric space heating, and follow with programs for all rate classes prioritized on cost-effectiveness and ease of implementation. In the long-term, a balanced approach focusing on installation of persisting efficiency technologies is preferable.6 The Company’s Compliance Filing includes an initial assessment of what demand-side measures may provide cost-effective electricity savings. From the outline of potential conservation measures contained in Appendix 3 of the Filing, it appears that only preliminary work has been done on the program designs to market and deliver DSM. Appendix 3 conflates the various technical elements of an overall DSM strategy – what the key efficiency technologies are, their likely incremental costs and electricity savings, and the program design elements (i.e., what marketing and incentive approach to apply to increase market penetration of the given conservation measure). 5 About 30-35% of the typical utility's transmission, distribution and generation investment is necessitated by peak loads, which cover less than 5% of the hours of the year. Thus, peak load management programs can be extremely cost-effective. Managing peak loads also provides strong environmental and recreational benefits from reduced need for load-following at hydropower dams. 6 Intervenors also support steadily increasing funding for the Community Action Agencies in their work with low income customers. COMMENTS -- 13 Idaho Power includes an outline of a strategy to reduce winter peak demand associated with residential electric space heating. The Company assumes that improvement of the thermal performance of electrically heated housing (to obtain a roughly estimated 5000 kWh savings per house) would be realized by reduced interest rate financing at 6.9%. There is no analysis showing that this inducement will suffice to obtain the savings estimated. Stronger inducements are possible: loans at lower interest rates, grants, and rebate programs. Given the Commission’s direction to reduce winter heating load, it would appear that a stronger program design should be considered for this end-use. The Company’s estimated energy savings and costs for other programs likewise appear to need further review. The estimate of savings from higher-efficiency central air conditioning (“CAC”) systems is quite low at only 400 kWh per year, while the estimated incremental installed cost of a higher-efficiency CAC is extremely low at less than $200 each. In the area of residential compact fluorescent lamps (“CFLs”), the economic savings calculations appear to omit the avoided purchase cost of the several incandescent lamps that are needed during the long lifetime of just one CFL. These are minor points at this stage of planning, however the incremental cost and savings estimates for the residential measures must be viewed as just that -- estimates. The commercial and industrial measures are sketched even more roughly, and likely these must be viewed as mere placeholder proxies for actual technologies and measures. Idaho Power suggests that “industrial efficiency measures will be structured for maximum customer flexibility and participation where customers may propose and manage all efficiency efforts.” Compliance Filing at 5. Such flexibility is a desirable feature that contributes to higher participation and electricity savings. Intervenors believe the industrial COMMENTS -- 14 customers have the potential to achieve significant energy savings, and that such savings can only be realized through custom design and installation projects. However, it is not clear what criteria the Company would apply in the custom components of its commercial/industrial DSM offerings. The Company needs to specify what cost-effectiveness yardstick would be applied, as well as how any rebate incentive would be calculated in light of avoided costs, equipment lifetime, and the customer’s own internal payback from the efficiency investment. These elements are alluded to in Appendix 7 of the Filing, but not spelled out. Further, monitoring and verification of DSM efforts at the industrial are critically important. Additionally, consideration should be given to implementing programs for industrial customers through performance-based contracting. Attachment 6 (Schiller et al., Public Benefit Charge Funded Performance Contracting Programs – Survey and Guidelines, Lawrenence Berkeley Laboratory, August 2000 (Abstract and Introduction only)). Public education and marketing must be a strong component of any DSM program, but these strategies are not spelled-out in the Company’s filing. Tremendous DSM potential could be wasted if customers do not understand the available options. The first year of implementation should involve significantly higher levels of education and marketing spending than is expected for subsequent years. In summary, the Company has provided the Commission with a preliminary discussion of some major types of DSM measures and programs. Intervenors believe the proposed DSM measures could be effective in reducing demand, however more information is needed to determine the most cost-effective strategy for implementing DSM in Idaho through the long- term, and more planning is needed over the next several months to develop a well-grounded DSM package. COMMENTS -- 15 Incentives for DSM Intervenors seek a regulatory framework that supports sustained utility investment in cost-effective DSM, including appropriate incentives for Idaho Power to obtain meaningful demand reductions, while also providing protections for ratepayers in the event the Company’s DSM performance does not meet expectations. However, we recognize that the current energy market may itself provide substantial incentives for the Company to obtain meaningful demand savings from DSM, as conserved energy potentially could be sold on the wholesale market at high value. Under Idaho Power’s current rate design, the utility operates under the basic business incentive to maximize sales. However, the Company continues to be a regulated monopoly, and therefore should be awarded based on the quality and affordability of electric service provided to its captive customers. Numerous western utilities, including PacifiCorp and Puget Sound Electric (PSE) in Oregon, as well as Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison, have proposed de-coupling mechanisms to break the link between commodity sales and revenues. In Washington, PSE in the early and mid-1990’s operated under de-coupling mechanism, which was at least partly responsible for a very successful and cost-effective DSM program. Portland General Electric now operates under an Energy Efficiency Adjustment, which includes a lost revenue recovery mechanism. 7 7 Designation of a third party non-profit or governmental DSM manager, funded through system benefits charges, would be another means of ensuring that utilities’ basic incentives to maximize sales do not influence their DSM efforts. Through legislative and PUC action, the Energy Trust of Oregon has been established to manage conservation and renewable resources funds pursuant to SB 1149/ORS 757.612(3). This system shifts the burdens of DSM management from the utility to the third-party, naturally eliminating the utility’s disincentives for DSM. Further, the third party may be able to leverage DSM funding through foundation or government grants. Intervenors raise this issue as a possible long-term solution to state-wide DSM management in Idaho. COMMENTS -- 16 If the full economic, social, and environmental benefits of DSM are to accrue, the Commission should seek ways to encourage utilities to not only invest in DSM, but also to obtain results from DSM implementation. Financial awards based upon performance, de- coupling, or other incentive mechanisms could be incorporated into the existing annual power cost adjustment proceedings. For the long-term stability and success of DSM programs in Idaho Power’s service territory, other incentives may be warranted. Intervenors request the Commission initiate proceedings to evaluate establishment of a de-coupling system or other DSM incentives for Idaho Power. See generally Attachment 7 (Nichols, D., Regulatory Incentives for Demand-Side Management, Review for West Kootenay Power’s DSM Incentive Committee, Tellus Institute, 1999) (attachments excluded). CONCLUSION Intervenors request immediate approval of a DSM program subject to the funding, monitoring, and accountability provisions outlined herein. Intervenors request that Idaho Power be ordered to file an independent study evaluating cost-effective DSM opportunities in its service territory, as well as a detailed DSM Plan, 90 days from approval of the initial program. Intervenors request approval of a DSM tariff rider funded at a level 1.5% of revenues, with a planned ramp-up to 3% of revenues over a three year period. Intervenors request that the Commission order Idaho Power to conduct deliberative polling or other means of eliciting informed public opinion on issues of rates, energy supply, conservation, and renewable energy as part of the Company’s next Integrated Resource Planning process. Finally, Intervenors request that the Commission initiate proceedings to evaluate implementation of a DSM incentives mechanism. COMMENTS -- 17 Dated: September 3, 2001 Respectfully submitted, ______________________________ William M. Eddie Land and Water Fund of the Rockies On behalf of: Idaho Rivers United Idaho Rural Council Northwest Energy Coalition Mary McGown COMMENTS -- 18 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that on this __th day September 2001, true and correct copies of the foregoing COMMENTS were delivered to the following persons via the method of service noted: Via Hand-Delivery: Commission Secretary Idaho Public Utilities Commission 427 W. Washington St. Boise, ID 83702-5983 Lisa Nordstrom Deputy Attorney General 427 W. Washington St. Boise, ID 83702-5983 Via U.S. Mail: Larry D. Ripley Betsy Galtney Idaho Power Company P.O. Box 70 Boise, ID 83707-0070 _____________________________ Lola Eijckelhof