HomeMy WebLinkAbout20111004IPC to CAPAI 1-49.pdfJASON B. WILLIAMS
Corporate Counsel
jwilliams(Öidahopower.com
isIDA~POR~
An 10ACORP Company
October 4, 2011
VIA HAND DELIVERY
Jean D. Jewell, Secretary
Idaho Public Utilties Commission
472 West Washington Street
Boise, Idaho 83720
Re: Case No. IPC-E-11-08
General Rate Case
Dear Ms. Jewell:
Enclosed for filng are an original and one (1) copy of Idaho Power Company's
Response to Community Action Partnership Association of Idaho's ("CAPAI") First
Discovery Requests to Idaho Power in the above matter.
Also enclosed are three (3) copies of a non-confidential disk and three (3) copies of
a confidential disk containing information being produced in response to CAPAl's first
discovery requests.
Please handle the enclosed confidential information in accordance with the
Protective Agreement executed in this matter.
Very truly yours, ~
¿So Wiliams
JBW:csb
Enclosures
1221 W. Idaho St. (83702)
P.O. 80x 70
8oise. 10 83707
LISA D. NORDSTROM (ISB No. 5733)
DONOVAN E. WALKER (ISB No. 5921)
JASON B. WILLIAMS (ISB No. 8718)
Idaho Power Company
1221 West Idaho Street (83702)
P.O. Box 70
Boise, Idaho 83707
Telephone: (208) 388-5825
Facsimile: (208) 388-6936
Inordstrom~idahopower.com
dwalker~idahopower.com
iwilliams~idahopower.com
Attorneys for Idaho Power Company
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BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION )
OF IDAHO POWER COMPANY FOR )
AUTHORITY TO INCREASE ITS RATES )
AND CHARGES FOR ELECTRIC )SERVICE IN IDAHO. )
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CASE NO. IPC-E-11-08
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S
RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY
ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST
DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO
POWER
COMES NOW, Idaho Power Company ("Idaho Powet' or "Company"), and in
response to the Community Action Partnership Association of Idaho's First Discovery
Requests to Idaho Power dated September 13, 2011, herewith submits the following
information:
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 1
REQUEST NO.1: Please provide a history of WAQC, or its predecessor
program(s) from the time of original inception to the present. In responding to this
Request, please provide the following details:
a. The year when the program was first implemented;
b. The rationale for implementation of the program;
c. The objectives of the program including targets for energy savings
and assistance to the Company's low-income customers,
d. Annual funding levels for each year since inception, and;
e. All program design changes implemented.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO.1:
a. A low income weatherization program, the predecessor to Weatherization
Assistance for Qualified Customers ("WAQC"), was approved in 1989 under the Idaho
Public Utilities Commission ("Commission") Order No. IPC-E-89-6.
b. Please see the copy of the IPC-E-89-6 Application included in Idaho
Powets 1989 Conservation Plan filed with the Commission in April 1989 provided on
the enclosed non-confidential CD. In this Application, Idaho Power requested approval
to participate in the State of Idaho Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program for
a period of five years.
c. Please see the Company's response to the Community Action Partnership
of Idaho's ("CAPAI") Request No. 1.b above.
d. Since 2004, in compliance with Commission Order No. 29505, Idaho
Power has funded the WAQC program at $1.2 milion dollars per year. Also, in
compliance with this Commission Order, if a specific Community Action Partnership
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 2
("CAP") agency does not spend its allotted annual funding, it can carry those funds over
into the following year. In addition to the $1.2 milion dollars per year, Idaho Power
funds administrative overheads. The Excel file provided on the non-confidential CD
includes all of Idaho Powets Low Income Weatherization Assistance and
Weatherization Assistance for Qualified Customers program expenses from 1989 to
2010. Idaho Power could only query its current accounting system to 2000. Expenses
earlier than 2000 were obtained from the Company's Conservation Plans. These
system-wide expenses were funded from Idaho base rates, Oregon base rates, and
Bonnevile Power Administration funds. No energy efficiency rider funds are included.
e. Program design changes are included in Idaho Power's annual
Conservation Plans from 1989 to 2003, Idaho Powets Demand-Side Management
Annual Reports from 2004 to 2010, and the Company's WAQC reports from 2004 to
2010. Provided on the non-confidential CD are the relevant pages for each of the Low
Income Weatherization Assistance Program Conservation Plans for 1989-2003, copies
of the WAQC Annual Reports from 2004 to 2010, and copies of Idaho Power's Demand-
Side Management Annual Reports from 2004 through 2010.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Willams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 3
REQUEST NO.2: Please state the percentage by which energy rates have
increased for the Company's Residential class since the year when the WAQC program
was first implemented.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO.2: The average Residential class base rate
effective in 1989 was 4.07016 cents/kilowatt-hour ("kWh"). Using an average monthly
usage of 1,050 kWh per month, the average Residential class base rate currently is
7.3555 cents/kWh. The increase in Residential class base rates for Schedule 1 from
1989 to 2011 is 81 percent.
The response to this Request was prepared by Darlene Nemnich, Senior
Regulatory Affairs Analyst, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Willams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 4
REQUEST NO.3: Please state the amount of current WAQC funding, for the
test year, as a percentage of the following:
a. Total Residential class gross revenues;
b. Total Company gross revenues;
c. Total funding for all DSM programs.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO.3:
a. WAQC program expenditures included in the test year are the same as
actuals for 2010, $1,321,132. Total system Residential class retail revenues for the test
year are $394,327,399, which results in WAQC funding being 0.34 percent of system
Residential class retail revenues.
b. WAQC program expenditures included in the test year are the same as
actuals for 2010, $1,321,132. Total system Company retail revenues for the test year
are $850,501,733, which results in WAQC funding being 0.16 percent of system
Company retail revenues.
c. WAQC program expenditures included in the test year are the same as
actuals from 2010, $1,321,132. Total expenses from all funding sources for demand-
side management ("DSM") activities in 2010 were $45,832,851, which results in WAQC
being 2.88 percent of overall DSM expenses.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, and Darlene Nemnich, Senior
Pricing Analyst, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B. Wiliams,
Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 5
REQUEST NO.4: Please restate the same information sought by subsections
"a" and "b" in the preceding Request if current WAQC funding were increased by $1.5
milion to a total of $2.7 million.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO.4: The inputs required to perform the requested
calculation are provided in the Company's response to CAPAl's Request NO.3 above.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Willams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 6
REQUEST NO.5: Based on the number of Residential customers used for the
test year and the Company's current funding level of its WAQC program, please state
the WAQC per capita funding level for Idaho Power.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO.5: The total average system Residential class
customer count from the test year is 410,981. Using the 2010 actual WAQC program
expenditures included in the 2011 Test Year of $1,321,132, the average per capita
expenditure for WAQC is $3.21.
The response to this Request was prepared by Darlene Nemnich, Senior Pricing
Analyst, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B. Willams, Corporate
Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 7
REQUEST NO.6: Has the Company made any determination as to whether the
backlog of customers eligible for WAQC who are on the waiting list has increased or
been reduced since 2003 and, if such a determination has been made, please describe
what it is.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO.6: Idaho Power has not made any
determination as to whether the backlog of customers eligible for WAQC who are on the
waiting list has increased or been reduced since 2003. There are many factors in
determining the actual waiting list for weatherization. A clarification of specific heat
source and energy supplier, specific geographic area, and specific dates would be
necessary to determine any change in the number of applicants and/or which are
actually Idaho Power customers.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Wiliams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 8
REQUEST NO.7: Please explain the Company's rationale for not increasing
WAQC funding since 2003.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO.7: Idaho Power is currently providing funding to
the WAQC program in compliance with Commission Order Nos. 22178, 29505, and
30350. The Company has not received any orders from the Commission since June 25,
2007, to alter its funding for WAQC. In Order No. 30350, the Commission approved
continuation of the $1.2 millon funding for the WAQC program.
While the level of funding that Idaho Powets customers provide to the WAQC
program is not solely under the Company's control, Idaho Power has enhanced its
programs and services to special needs customers. The WAQC program specialist
works directly with weatherization managers on WAQC guidelines. While the mandated
amount of direct payments to CAP agencies may not have increased in recent years,
program guidelines have changed in order to allow managers to spend current funding
more efficiently. For example, each year, the Idaho Power program specialist works
with the CAP agency weatherization managers to develop an annual average cost per
home adjustment. The Company not only provides $1,212,534 to CAP agencies to fund
the weatherization assistance program, but actually spends additional base rates funds
for the salary of a program specialist, marketing of the program, and support of local
CAP agency activities.
Idaho Power also takes into consideration the level of funds carried over from
year to year. At the end of 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, the program carried forward
over $300,000, $215,000, $83,000, $96,000, respectively, of unused funds to the
following year.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 9
An additional enhancement of the Company's services to special needs
customers began in 2008 when the Company developed the Weatherization Solutions
for Eligible Customers program, which was piloted in 2008 and has since expanded into
an energy efficiency program serving customers in the southern, eastern, and western
regions of the Company's service area. Through September 2011, Idaho Power has
spent $428,000 on the Weatherization Solutions for Eligible Customers program and the
Company estimates that it wil spend another $300,000 weatherizing homes by the end
of 2011. This program is designed to serve those customers whose income puts them
just above the poverty level and was developed to provide weatherization services to
customers who are financially unable to participate in other residential energy efficiency
programs and are not eligible for the WAQC program. Also, customers participating in
Weatherization Solutions for Eligible Customers can be financially qualified for WAQC
but are not prioritized for services on the State of Idaho weatherization waiting list.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Wiliams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 10
REQUEST NO.8: Regarding WAQC, please provide the following:
a. All cost-effectiveness studies or analyses of WAQC since inception;
b. The Company's current methodology for evaluating the cost-
effectiveness of WAQC;
c. When the Company intends to file its next cost-effectiveness study
ofWAQC with the Commission, and;
d. Describe in detail the methodology by which the Company intends
to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of WAQC.
RESPONSE TO NO.8:
a. In addition to the attachments provided in the Company's response to
CAPAI's Request NO.1 above, provided on the non-confidential CD in response to this
Request are the Demand-Side Management 2009 Annual Report Supplement 1: Cost-
Effectiveness (revised) and the Demand-Side Management 2010 Annual Report
Supplement 1: Cost-Effectiveness. All of Idaho Powets cost-effectiveness studies and
analyses of WAQC are described in the Company's Demand Side Management Annual
Reports and the Demand-Side Management Annual Report Supplement 1: Cost-
Effectiveness filed with the Commission for 2009 and 2010.
b. The Company's current methodology for evaluating the cost-effectiveness
of WAQC is included in the Demand-Side Management 2010 Annual Report on pages
15, 60, and 135, and in the Demand Side Management 2010 Annual Report
Supplement 1: Cost-Effectiveness on pages 1 through 4 and 45. Both of these
documents were filed with the Commission on March 15, 2011, and are included in the
Company's response to CAPAl's Request Nos. 1 and 8.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 11
c. The Company intends to file the Demand-Side Management 2011 Annual
Report on March 15, 2012. Included in this report and it supplements will be the
description and results of all of Idaho Powets cost-effectiveness analysis for all of its
DSM programs.
d. In addition to the information included in the Company's response to
CAPAI's Request No. 8.c above, Idaho Power plans to conduct an impact evaluation of
the WAQC program in 2012. This evaluation plan is included on page 3 of the
Company's Demand-Side Management 2010 Annual Report Supplement 2: Evaluation.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Willams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 12
REQUEST NO.9: Please admit or deny that all of Idaho Power's expenditures
in WAQC to date have been prudent.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO.9: Since the inception of the WAQC program
through 2010, the Commission has determined that Idaho Powets expenditures
associated with WAQC were prudently incurred.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Willams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 13
REQUEST NO. 10: If your response to the preceding Request is anything other
than an affirmative response, please explain why and to what extent expenditures in
WAQC have not been prudent.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 10: Please see the Company's response to
CAPAI's Request NO.9 above.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Willams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 14
REQUEST NO. 11: Please admit or deny that all of Idaho Power's expenditures
in WAQC to date have been cost-effective.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 11: The Company has determined that the
WAQC program has been cost-effective since its inception according to the
methodology currently utilized for determining cost-effectiveness of WAQC.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Wiliams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER -15
REQUEST NO. 12: If your response to the preceding Request is anything but
affirmative, please explain why and to what extent expenditures in WAQC have not
been cost-effective and whether those expenditures were included in the Company's
rates as well as the total dollar amount of said expenditures.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 12: Please see the Company's response to
CAPAl's Request No. 11 above.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Willams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 16
REQUEST NO. 13: Is it the Company's contention that its WAQC program is no
longer prudent or cost-effective at the present time?
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 13: No. Please see the Company's response
to CAPAl's Request Nos. 9 and 11 above.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Willams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 17
REQUEST NO. 14: If your response to the preceding Request is in the
affirmative, please provide a detailed explanation, with all relevant supporting
documentation, demonstrating why the program is no longer prudent and/or cost-
effective, at what point in time it was no longer prudent and/or cost-effective, and
precisely what event( s) occurred to make this true.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 14: Please see the Company's response to
CAPAI's Request No. 13 above.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengilly, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Willams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 18
REQUEST NO. 15: Please indicate whether the Company currently, or in the
past, calculates the value of "non-energy benefits" produced by WAQC.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 15: Idaho Power has not currently, nor in the
past, attempted to determine if there are "non-energy benefits" produced by WAQC or
attempted to calculate the value of any "non-energy benefits" produced by WAQC.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Willams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER -19
REQUEST NO. 16: Please admit or deny that the Company's 2010 DSM Annual
Report filed with the Commission purports that the WAQC program is a cost-effective
DSM resource.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 16: As shown on page 45 of the Demand-Side
Management 2010 Annual Report Supplement 1: Cost-Effectiveness, which is provided
in the Company's response to CAPAl's Request NO.8 above, the WAQC program has a
benefit cost ratio greater than one under the Utility Cost Test, the Total Resource Cost
Test, and Ratepayer Impact Measure Test. As stated on page 3 of the Demand-Side
Management 2010 Annual Report Supplement 1: Cost-Effectiveness, the Participant
Cost Test is not calculated for the WAQC program since there are no participant costs.
The footnote on page 45 states: "Energy Savings for each home is determined by an
auditor using the Energy Audit 4 (EA4) form approved by the U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE). Cost-effectiveness is analyzed on a per project basis. Each project
must have a savings-to-investment ratio (SIR) equal to or greater than 1."
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Wiliams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 20
REQUEST NO. 17: If your response to the preceding Request is anything other
than in the affirmative, please explain what the 2010 DSM Annual Report reveals
regarding the cost-effectiveness of WAQC.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 17: Please see the Company's response to
CAPAI's Request No. 16 above.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Willams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 21
REQUEST NO. 18: Please provide all analyses conducted by the Company or
on its behalf that calculate all system-wide benefits to the Company's customers
resulting from the operation of WAQC including, but not limited to:
a. Reduced arrearages;
b. Reduced bad debt write-offs;
c. Reduced collection costs;
d. Improved cash flow, and;
e. All other benefits to all customers resulting from implementation of
WAQC.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 18:
a-d. Idaho Power has not conducted, nor has it had conducted on its behalf,
any analyses that calculate all system-wide benefits of WAQC.
e. Idaho Power and its customers realize a system energy benefit from all of
its energy efficiency programs. These benefits are determined in the Integrated
Resource Plan process and are reflected in the DSM alternative costs which are used to
calculate the energy benefits in the cost-effectiveness calculations for each program.
These benefits are described in detail on page 2 of the Demand-Side Management
2010 Annual Report, Supplement 1: Cost-Effectiveness, provided in the Company's
response to CAPAl's Request NO.8 above.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Willams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 22
REQUEST NO. 19: Has the Company factored system-wide benefits to its
customers as enumerated in the preceding Request into any cost-effectiveness
analyses conducted of WAQC? If so, please explain in detail what the relative value of
those benefits are and how they are factored into the evaluation.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 19: Please see the Company's response to
CAPAl's Request No. 18 above.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Wiliams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 23
REQUEST NO. 20: Please state the annual average Residential class accounts
in arrears (past due), as set forth below, for each of the past five (5) years (starting with
the test year) and the dollar amounts associated with said arrears:
a. Thirty (30) to sixty (60) days;
b. Sixty (60) to ninety (90) days;
c. More than ninety (90) days.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 20: Please see table below.
30-60 Dollars 60-90 Dollars 90+Dollars
Oct 2009 - Dec
2009 Average 142,709 $4,745,791 23,875 $1,477,068 8,060 $743,208
Jan 2010 - Dec
2010 Average 65,569 $5,361,350 25,143 $1,827,766 9,780 $1,269,143
Jan 2011- Aug 2011
Average 68,322 $5,983,899 29,044 $2,278,362 12,344 $1,642,759
Information identifying arrears by customer class is not available prior to October
2009.
The information in the response to this Request was prepared by Maggie Brilz,
Customer Service Manager, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Wiliams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 24
REQUEST NO. 21: Please describe the steps taken by the Company to obtain
payment from Residential customer accounts that are past due.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 21: When a bil is prepared and a past due
balance exists, a bil message titled "Important Information" appears on the customer's
biling statement prompting them to pay the full account balance. The full account
balance is due 15 days from the day the bil is prepared. If the bil is not paid by the due
date, the past due balance includes two months' charges for service, and if the balance
owing is over $1001, a Reminder Notice is systematically generated and mailed to the
customer. If payment is not received within three business days from the day the
Reminder Notice is mailed, a Final Termination Notice is systematically generated and
mailed to the customer. On the same day the Final Termination Notice is mailed, a
courtesy call is made to the customer. The Reminder Notice, Final Termination Notice,
and the courtesy call all contain the customets full account balance, the past due
amount, and the date the service is scheduled to be disconnected for non-payment. If
payment is not received prior to the Idaho Power representative being dispatched to the
customets premises to disconnect service, the representative attempts to make on-site
contact with the customer to accept payment.
The response to this Request was prepared by Maggie Brilz, Customer Service
Manager, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B. Willams, Corporate
Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
1 The Utility Customer Relations Rule 310.01 sets the minimum amount for termination of service
due to unpaid bils at $50. Idaho Power at times increases this amount to effciently manage the volume
of work. Currently, the minimum past due amount set to trigger collection activity is $100 rather than the
$50 allowed by the Utilty Customer Relations Rule.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 25
REQUEST NO. 22: Please state the following:
a. the annual number and dollar value of Residential account bad debt
write-offs2 for the past five (5) years;
b. the annual number of disconnections and reconnections of
Residential accounts for the past five (5) years;
c. the Company's annual collections costs for past due Residential
accounts for the past five (5) years;3
d. the percentage of the foregoing that are attributable to low-income
customers.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 22:
a. Information regarding the annual actual number of Residential class write-
offs is not available. The dollar value for Residential class account write-offs is as
follows:
Year Amount2010 $4,549,2992009 $4,280,6702008 $3,143,2262007 $1,830,5782006 $2,377,301
b. The annual number of disconnections for Residential class service is
available for November 2009 forward. For November and December of 2009, 2,190
Residential class disconnections for non-payment were performed. In 2010, 18,796
Residential class disconnections for non-payment were performed. Idaho Power does
2 These are accounts that have been removed from the Company's books pursuant to generally
accepted accounting principles in the good faith belief that they wil never be recovered. If the Company
has sold such debts to an independent third party, please so indicate and to what extent.
3 By "collection costs" CAPAI is referring to all costs incurred in attempting to obtain payment on
delinquent accounts not yet written off as bad debt.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 26
not track the annual number of reconnections; however, Idaho Power does track the
number of reconnections the same day and the number of reconnections within five
business days. This information was provided in the Company's response to
Commission Staff's Production Request No. 164.
c. Collection costs for past-due Residential class accounts are not available.
d. Idaho Power does not track account information for low-income
customers. However, write-off information for Residential class customers receiving
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program ("LlHEAP") assistance has been
tracked since November 2009. For November and December 2009, Idaho Power wrote
off $78,712.91 associated with L1HEAP customers. For 2010, Idaho Power wrote off
$915,419.17 associated with L1HEAP Customers, or 20 percent of total Residential
write-offs. The percentage of non-payment disconnections for L1HEAP customers was
18 percent of total residential accounts for November and December of 2009, and 13
percent of total residential accounts for 2010. Idaho Power is unable to determine the
annual collection costs associated with customers receiving L1HEAP assistance.
The response to this Request was prepared by Maggie Brilz, Customer Service
Manager, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B. Willams, Corporate
Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 27
REQUEST NO. 23: Please provide the cost, on a per customer basis, of each of
the following residential activities:
a. Disconnection of service for nonpayment;
b. The negotiation of a deferred payment arrangement (Le., any
negotiated arrangement to pay past due bils over time);
c. Issuance of a written disconnect notice;
d. The reconnection of service;
e. A field collection visit;
f. A field visit to deliver a personal or written disconnect notice, and;
g. A telephone reminder of nonpayment;
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 23:
a. The cost to disconnect service for non-payment is not tracked by
individual customer class. Therefore, the cost on a per customer basis to disconnect
Residential class service is not available. The average cost to disconnect service for
non-payment across all customer classes combined is $22.33 per disconnect. This
average cost is based on actual costs for 2009, 2010, and January through August
2011.
b. The costs associated with the numerous transactions performed on behalf
of customers are not tracked on a transactional basis. Therefore, the cost to negotiate
a deferred payment arrangement is not available.
c. The cost to send a written disconnect notice to a residential customer is
48 cents. This cost includes postage and the per item cost for the paper and envelope.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 28
d. The cost to reconnect service is not tracked by individual customer class.
Therefore, the cost on a per customer basis to reconnect residential service is not
available. The average cost to reconnect service across all customer classes combined
is $19.80 per disconnect. This average cost is based on actual costs for 2009,2010,
and January through August 2011.
e. The cost for a field collection visit is not tracked by individual customer
class. Therefore, the cost on a per residential customer basis is not available. The
average cost for a field collection visit across all customer classes combined is $22.33.
This average cost is based on actual costs for 2009, 2010, and January through August
2011.
f. The cost for a field visit to deliver a disconnection notice is not tracked by
individual customer class. Therefore, the cost on a per residential customer basis is not
available. The average cost for a field visit to deliver a personal or written disconnect
notice across all customer classes combined is $19.80. This average cost is based on
actual costs for 2009, 2010, and January through August 2011.
g. The cost for a telephone reminder is not tracked by individual customer
class. Therefore, the cost on a per residential customer basis is not available.
The information in the response to this Request was prepared by Maggie Brilz,
Customer Service Manager, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Wiliams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 29
REQUEST NO. 24: Please provide a detailed description of each different type
of deferred payment plan offered by the company to residential customers. Separately
indicate to whom (or under what circumstances) each type of deferred payment plan is
offered.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 24: The Company offers three different types of
deferred payment plans to residential customers. Customers are first offered the
"Promise to Pay" option, which allows the customer to pay the full past due balance
within the next 10 days. If the customer is unable to commit to this payment
arrangement, the "Time Pay" option is offered, which allows the customer to pay half of
the total account balance or the 60-90 day past due amount (whichever is greater)
within the next 10 days and the remaining account balance within 30 days. If the
customer is unable to commit to this payment arrangement, "Levelized Pay" is offered to
the customer. The Levelized Pay option allows the customer to pay one-twelfth of the
current account balance plus an average of the annual monthly billng amount in 12
monthly installments with the first installment due immediately.
Deferred payment plans are offered to all residential customers who have not
broken arrangements on the same balance.
The response to this Request was prepared by Maggie Brilz, Customer Service
Manager, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B. Wiliams, Corporate
Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 30
REQUEST NO. 25: Please provide for each year for the past three years:
a. The total number of customers on each type of payment plan.
b. The total number of customers who have failed to maintain one or
more payment plans for each type of payment plan, and;
c. The total dollar amount of payment plan accounts that have not
been maintained.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 25:
a. Information regarding the total number of customers on each type of
payment plan is not available.
b. Information regarding the total number of customers who have failed to
maintain one or more payment plans for each type of payment plan is not available.
c. Information regarding the total dollar amount of payment plan accounts
that have not been maintained is not available.
The response to this Request was prepared by Maggie Brilz, Customer Service
Manager, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B. Wiliams, Corporate
Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 31
REQUEST NO. 26: Please provide the information sought in the preceding
Request based only on low-income Residential customers.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 26: Information regarding payment plans for
low-income customers is not available.
The response to this Request was prepared by Maggie Brilz, Customer Service
Manager, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B. Wiliams, Corporate
Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 32
REQUEST NO. 27: Please provide any study, report, memo or other written
document of any nature in the possession or control of the Company that considers,
evaluates or discusses the relationship between residential payment-troubles and low-
income status. Separately provide any such study, memo, report or other written
document that examines these relationships for Company customers.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 27: Idaho Power does not track income as part
of its customer information. Beginning in November 2009, Idaho Power began
preparing a monthly report that details certain information for Residential class
customers who have received energy assistance within the previous 12 months. A copy
of each monthly report from November 2009 through August 2011 is provided on the
confidential CD. Because the reports contain confidential material and non-public
information, Idaho Power is providing this information only to parties that have executed
the Protective Agreement in this case.
The response to this Request was prepared by Maggie Brilz, Customer Service
Manager, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B. Wiliams, Corporate
Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 33
REQUEST NO. 28: Please provide a detailed description of how the Company
calculates its uncollectible allowance (Le., the amount of bad debt the Company
considers it will not likely recover).
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 28: The Company used its 2010 actual
uncollectible accounts or "bad debt" expense (Federal Energy Regulatory Account
("FERC") Account 904) as its forecast of that same expense category for the 2011 Test
Year. The 2010 FERC Account 904 balance was used as the basis for the forecast of
2011 because the Company believed that the 2011 FERC Account 904 amount would
not differ materially from the 2010 leveL.
The response to this Request was prepared by Timothy E. Tatum, Senior
Manager of Cost of Service, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Willams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 34
REQUEST NO. 29: For the most recent three (3) years (starting with the test
year), please provide the following data for all residential customers:
a. The total number of customers receiving L1HEAP assistance;
b. The total dollar amount per customer of L1HEAP assistance;
c. The total number of customer accounts receiving L1HEAP
assistance that are in arrears, and;
d. The total number and dollar amount of L1HEAP accounts written off
as bad debt.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 29:
a. Please see the Company's response to Commission Staffs Production
Request No. 35.
b. The total dollar amount of L1HEAP assistance received per customer is
not available.
c. Information regarding customer accounts receiving L1HEAP assistance
that are in arrears is available from November 2009 forward. Please see the
Company's response to Commission Staff's Production Request No. 157.
d. The Company does not track the total number of L1HEAP accounts written
off. Information regarding the dollar amount of L1HEAP accounts written off is available
from November 2009 forward. Please see the Company's response Commission Staffs
Production Request No. 167.
The response to this Request was prepared by Maggie Brilz, Customer Service
Manager, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B. Wiliams, Corporate
Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 35
REQUEST NO. 30: Does the Company offer any conservation programs that
target customers whose income levels are slightly above the eligibility threshold for
WAQC (e.g., 200-250% of Federal Poverty Level)?
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 30: Yes. Idaho Powets Weatherization
Solutions for Eligible Customers program offers weatherization measures to customers
whose income is between 175 percent and 250 percent of the federal poverty leveL.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Willams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 36
REQUEST NO. 31: If your response to the preceding Request is in the
affirmative, please provide the following:
a. A detailed description of the program including the types of
conservation measures included and who installs those measures;
b. The annual funded amount of the program;
c. What customer class(es) are eligible for the program;
d. How many customers participate in the program;
e. What the criteria for participation in the program are;
f. Who verifies eligibilty for participation in the program and how;
g. If and how the program is relevant to a customer's income level;
h. When the program was implemented, and;
i. How the program is funded and recovered from ratepayers.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 31:
a. A complete description of the Weatherization Solutions for Eligible
Customers program ("Program") can be found on pages 62-65 of Idaho Power's
Demand-Side Management 2010 Annual Report, provided in the Company's response
to CAPAl's Request NO.1 above.
b. The annual expenses for the Program can be found on page 134 of Idaho
Power's Demand-Side Management 2010 Annual Report, provided in the Company's
response to CAP AI's Request NO.1 above.
c. Residential customers who meet the Program qualifications are eligible.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 37
d. The annual number of participants in the Program can be found on page
134 of Idaho Powets Demand-Side Management 2010 Annual Report, provided in the
Company's response to CAPAl's Request NO.1 above.
e. The criteria for the Program can be found on pages 62-65 of Idaho
Power's Demand-Side Management 2010 Annual Report, provided in the Company's
response to CAPAl's Request NO.1 above.
f. Potential participants are applicants for the WAQC program who are
denied weatherization services by the CAP agencies due to being ineligible based on
income or are eligible but have no priority on the weatherization list. When these
customers are denied weatherization assistance, they are considered for services from
the Program. The Program contractors then verify that the applicant's meet the
Program requirements, including income guidelines.
g. Applicants for the Program must satisfy the income level requirements as
well as all other Program requirements as describe on pages 62-65 of Idaho Power's
Demand-Side Management 2010 Annual Report, provided in the Company's response
to CAPAl's Request NO.1 above.
h. The Program was first implemented as a pilot in 2008.
i. The Program is funded through the Idaho Energy Efficiency Rider, Idaho
Rate Schedule 91, as shown on page 128 of Idaho Powets Demand-Side Management
2010 Annual Report, provided in the Company's response to CAPAI's Request NO.1
above.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Willams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 38
REQUEST NO. 32: Please provide a copy of any written document in the
possession or control of the Company, whether or not prepared for the Company,
assessing, estimating or otherwise discussing the number of low-income customers
served by the Company. To the extent that such document has been prepared by or for
the Company, include all source documents underlying the estimate of the number of
low-income customers.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 32: Idaho Power does not collect or retain
customers' income information and has not conducted, nor has any party conducted on
its behalf, any analysis assessing, estimating, or otherwise discussing the number of
low-income customers served by the Company.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Williams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 39
REQUEST NO. 33: Please provide a detailed written description of all residential
energy effciency programs offered exclusively to low-income customers of the
Company.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 33: Idaho Power offers two programs to
income qualified customers, the WAQC and the Weatherization Solutions for Eligible
Customers programs. Complete descriptions of these programs can be found on pages
59 and 62 of Idaho Powets Demand-Side Management 2010 Annual Report, provided
in the Company's response to CAPAl's Request NO.1 above.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Willams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 40
REQUEST NO. 34: Please provide a single copy of any study within the
possession or control of the Company, that distinguishes between residential customers
generally and low-income residential customers in particular. Factors that might
distinguish the two classes might include, but are not limited to: (a) usage levels and
patterns; (b) history of payment troubles; (c) consumption of energy efficiency services;
(d) credit and collection history, and; (e) consumption of Company resources such as
staff time.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 34: Idaho Power does not collect or retain
customers' income information and has not conducted, nor has any party conducted on
its behalf, any analysis that distinguishes between residential customers generally and
low-income residential customers in particular. This includes Request Nos. 34(a), (b),
(d), and (e) above. In response to Request No. 34(c), the Company does record and
report on participation in the WAQC and the Weatherization Solutions for Eligible
Customers programs. Participation metrics for these programs can be found on pages
134 and 135 of Idaho Power's Demand-Side Management 2010 Annual Report,
provided in the Company's response to CAPAl's Request NO.1 above.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Wiliams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 41
REQUEST NO. 35: Please provide the following data for Idaho Powets
Residential rate class for each of the past five (5) years:
A. Average revenue per kilowatt hour sold;
B. Average kilowatt hour sales per customer;
C. Average monthly customer bil;
D. Average number of customers.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 35: Please see the following table representing
Idaho Power system wide data. This data is from the respective annual FERC Form 1
Reports.
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Average revenue per $.0591 $.0590 $.0667 $.0773 $.0806
kWh sold
Average kWh sales 13,071 13,157 13,160 13,083 12,188
per customer
Average monthly $64.39 $64.65 $73.14 $84.23 $81.91
customer bil
Average number of 387,707 397,286 402,520 405,144 407,551
customers
The response to this Request was prepared by Darlene Nemnich, Senior
Regulatory Affairs Analyst, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Willams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 42
REQUEST NO. 36: Regarding the preceding Production Request, does the
Company track and maintain the requested data for its low-income Residential class
customers?
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 36: Idaho Power does not collect or retain
customers' income information.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Wiliams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 43
REQUEST NO. 37: If your response to the preceding Production Request is in
the affirmative, please provide said low-income data.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 37: Please see the Company's response to
CAPAl's Request No. 36 above.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Wiliams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 44
REQUEST NO. 38: Has Idaho Power made any calculations or conducted any
analyses of the amount and nature of low-income residential usage as opposed to non-
low-income residential usage, whether low-income usage differs, and the reasons why it
differs?
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 38: Please see the Company's response to
CAPAl's Request No. 36 above.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Willams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 45
REQUEST NO. 39: In addition to low-income weatherization, please identify all
programs Idaho Power offers that it perceives to be of assistance to its low-income
customers in paying their electric bil and provide an explanation and itemization of the
nature and degree of assistance provided by any such program.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 39: Project Share is a year-round energy
assistance program started by Idaho Power in 1982 and is administered by The
Salvation Army. The program provides energy aid to qualifying households who heat
with electricity, gas, wood, propane, oil, or coaL. Project Share's program year is from
October 1 through September 30 of each year. During the 2009/2010 program year,
2,020 grants were given assisting 6,423 individuals. In program year 2009/2010, Idaho
Powets customers donated $218,225 to Project Share and Idaho Power shareholders
donated $21,823 for The Salvation Army to administer the program and $100,000 for
additional assistance to low-income individuaL. Through August of program year
2010/2011, Idaho Powets customers donated $197,727 to Project Share and Idaho
Power shareholders donated $19,773 for The Salvation Army to administer the program
and $20,000 for additional assistance to the low-income individuals. In addition to these
donations to Project Share, two of Idaho Power's energy effciency programs, See Ya
Later Refrigerator and Home Appliance Program, offer the option for program
participants to assign their incentives to Project Share. This generated an additional
$3,310 in donated incentives in the 2010/2011 program year.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Willams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 46
REQUEST NO. 40: Please provide the name and title of every Idaho Power
agent or employee who is involved with and/or works on the Company's WAQC
program.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 40: The Company employs multiple employees
in multiple positions that are involved with or work on the WAQC program. These
employees include, but are not limited to, a Special Needs Program Specialist, Energy
Efficiency Analysts, Information Technology Analysts and System Administrator,
Financial Analyst, Regulatory Analysts, Communication Specialist, Residential Program
Leader, Customer Research and Analysis Leader, lawyers, Customer Service Center
Representatives, and the Manager of Customer Relations and Energy Efficiency. Idaho
Power has not provided the names of its employees as the employee names are not
relevant. Instead, the Company has provided in this response titles of employees who
work on the WAQC program.
The Company also contracts with individual CAP agencies, with Momentum,
LLC, and with The Energy Auditor for consulting.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Wiliams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 47
REQUEST NO. 41: For each employee or agent identified in response to the
preceding Request, please specific precisely what tasks and functions said agent or
employee performs with respect to WAQC and provide a hierarchy chart outlning levels
of authority and who reports to whom.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 41: The Special Needs Program Specialist
works with the CAP agencies, CAPAI, other contactors, and internal employees to
administer the WAQC program. The Energy Efficiency Analysts perform cost-
effectiveness analysis and reporting. The Information Technology ("IT") Analysts and
Administrators support the data base and the CAP agency portal design and
maintenance. The Financial Analysts perform accounting and financial analyses. The
Communication Specialist assists in internal/external communications and marketing.
The Regulatory Analysts coordinate regulatory reporting, filings, and regulatory affairs.
The Residential Program Leader supervises the Special Needs Program Specialist.
The Customer Research and Analysis Leader provides analytical and reporting support.
The lawyers provide legal support. Customer Service Center Representatives field calls
concerning the WAQC program and make referrals. The Manager of Customer
Relations and Energy Efficiency supervises the leaders in the Customer Relations and
Energy Efficiency department.
The individual CAP agencies administer the program and conduct the
weatherization process. In addition, Momentum, LLC, and The Energy Auditor provide
quality assurance on the homes weatherized by the CAP agency weatherization
departments. Provided on the non-confidential CD is the most recent organization chart
for the Customer Relations and Energy Efficiency departments. This chart includes
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 48
everyone from the Customer Relations and Energy Efficiency departments listed above.
Resources from other departments such as IT, Legal, Regulatory Affairs, Customer
Service, and Corporate Communications are not included in this chart as they have no
direct reporting relationship to the Customer Relations and Energy Efficiency
department.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengilly, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Willams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 49
REQUEST NO. 42: For each agent or employee identified in response to the
preceding Requests, please specify how much of their daily work is exclusively related
to WAQC as opposed to any other function.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 42: The Special Needs Program Specialist
specifically charges his/her time to the WAQC work order and spends about 40 percent
of his/her time working on WAQC. The other Idaho Power employees who work on the
WAQC program do so as ongoing and general business support that Idaho Power has
provided for the WAQC/ Low Income Weatherization Assistance programs for over
twenty years. The amount of time each employee dedicates to WAQC varies
dramatically based on program support needed but typically none of the employees
specified in the proceeding requests, except the Special Needs Program Specialist,
dedicates more than about 5 percent of their time exclusively related to WAQC.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengilly, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Wiliams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 50
REQUEST NO. 43: Please state whether there are any positions wholly or
partially dedicated to WAQC within the Company that are currently unfilled, how many
positions, and what their respective responsibilities and purposes are.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 43: There are currently no unfiled positions at
Idaho Power dedicated to the WAQC program.
The response to this Request was prepared by Pete Pengily, Customer
Research and Analysis Leader, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B.
Williams, Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 51
REQUEST NO. 44: Has the Company conducted any analyses or is it aware of
any documentation demonstrating a connection between the ratings given it by credit
rating agencies such as Standard & Poots and the implementation of the Company's
Power Cost Adjustment Mechanism (PCAM) at any point since the PCAM was first
approved? By this Request, CAPAI seeks information regarding the effect, if any, that a
power cost adjustment mechanism has had on earnings stabilty and the resulting
reduction of risk and resulting reactions of financial institutions affecting the Company's
credit rating.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 44: No. However, Standard & Poots has
referenced the credit supportiveness of the Power Cost Adjustment mechanism (notably
the mechanism in place since 2009) by the following statement:
IPC's revised annual power cost adjustment (PCA)
mechanism in Idaho, implemented in 2009, supports credit
quality and reduces the undercollection of power costs. The
most significant credit-supportive components of the
annually filed PCA mechanism include a sharing provision
that reduces the company's power cost exposure to 5% of
undercollected costs, and a forecast cost methodology that
reduces deferrals and collection lag. In exceptionally low
water years, deferrals can materially weaken cash flows and
credit metrics, but Standard & Poots generally views such
collection delays as temporary because we expect that 95%
of costs above base rates wil be collected with a carrying
charge over 12 months. The previous PCA mechanism,
which was less robust, had a long history of support and no
record of significant disallowances.
Standard & Poots Research May 20, 2011.
The response to this Request was prepared by Lawrence F. Spencer, Investor
Relations Director, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B. Willams,
Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 52
REQUEST NO. 45: If your response to the preceding Request is in the
affirmative, please provide such analyses, the conclusions contained therein, and any
supporting documentation.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 45: Please see the Company's response to
CAPAI's Request No. 44.
The response to this Request was prepared by Lawrence F. Spencer, Investor
Relations Director, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B. Willams,
Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 53
REQUEST NO. 46: Please provide the same information set forth in the
preceding two Requests with respect to the Company's Fixed Cost Adjustment (FCA)
mechanism.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 46: No. However, Standard & Poor's has
referenced the risk mitigation aspects of the FCA by the following statement:
We do not consider load loss stemming from the company's
significant energy efficiency spending a significant risk, due
to a fixed-cost adjustment (FCA) mechanism in Idaho that
decouples certain costs from energy usage by residential
and commercial customers. However, the recent Idaho
commission decision to continue to allow IPC to utilze the
FCA but not on a permanent basis highlights the
uncertainties in determining the credit impact of energy
efficiency spending.
Standard & Poots Research May 20, 2011.
The response to this Request was prepared by Lawrence F. Spencer, Investor
Relations Director, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B. Wiliams,
Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 54
REQUEST NO. 47: Please admit or deny that the existence of Idaho Power's
PCAM reduces "shareholder risk" as that term is generally used by credit rating
agencies.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 47: As discussed in Standard & Poots
Research report dated May 20, 2011, "Idaho regulators have authorized a robust cost
recovery mechanism to assist in collecting these costs (referring to the Power Cost
Adjustment Mechanism) and limiting financial exposure in Idaho, the company's chief
service area and primary driver of credit quality."
In the March 9, 2011, Moody's Investor Service credit opinion on Idaho Power,
Moody's stated, "The most significant change in process of the 2009 rate orders was
the power cost adjustment (PCA) rate decision. . .. Moreover, the IPUC revised the
sharing formula under the PCA mechanism to 95 percent/5 percent
(customer/shareholders) from 90 percent/10 percent previously, thereby somewhat
reducing risk to investors."
The response to this Request was prepared by Lawrence F. Spencer, Investor
Relations Director, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B. Wiliams,
Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 55
REQUEST NO. 48: Please admit or deny that the existence of its FCA reduces
"shareholder risk."
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 48: As discussed in Standard & Poots
Research report dated May 20, 2011:
We (S&P) do not consider load loss stemming from the
company's significant energy efficiency spending a
significant risk, due to a fixed-cost adjustment (FCA)
mechanism in Idaho that decouples certain costs from
energy usage by residential and commercial customers.
However, the recent Idaho commission decision to continue
to allow IPC to utilize the FCA but not on a permanent basis
highlights the uncertainties in determining the credit impact
of energy efficiency spending.
In the March 9, 2011, Moody's Investor Service credit opinion on Idaho Power,
Moody's states:
The FCA is intended to aid in the predictability and
assurance of future cost recovery, as it attempts to assure a
fixed cost reimbursement from customers, independent of
the volume of energy used and variable costs. Any forward
looking approvals or trackers are viewed to be beneficial to a
company's credit profile, from Moody's perspective, since
they should lead to greater predictabilty of revenue levels
and cash flow recovery.
The response to this Request was prepared by Lawrence F. Spencer, Investor
Relations Director, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B. Willams,
Corporate Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 56
REQUEST NO. 49: Has the Company made any determination regarding the
frequency and magnitude of planned general rate case filings in the next five (5) years?
If so, please state what that determination is.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 49: No.
The response to this Request was prepared by Mike Youngblood, Manager of
Rate Design, Idaho Power Company, in consultation with Jason B. Wiliams, Corporate
Counsel, Idaho Power Company.
DATED at Boise, Idaho, this 4th day of October 2011.
~ t:.- C2 $" ~
JAŠn:LlAMS
Atlrney for Idaho Power Company
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 57
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that on this 4th day of October 2011 I served a true and
correct copy of the within and foregoing IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO
COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST
DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER upon the following named parties by the
method indicated below, and addressed to the following:
Commission Staff
Donald L. Howell, II
Karl T. Klein
Deputy Attorneys General
Idaho Public Utilties Commission
472 West Washington (83702)
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0074
Hand Delivered
U.S. Mail
_ Overnight Mail
FAX
-- Email Don.Howell~puc.idaho.gov
Karl. Klein~puc. idaho .gov
Industrial Customers of Idaho Power
Peter J. Richardson
Gregory M. Adams
RICHARDSON & O'LEARY, PLLC
515 North 2ih Street (83702)
P.O. Box 7218
Boise, Idaho 83707
Hand Delivered
U.S. Mail
_ Overnight Mail
FAX
-- Email peter~richardsonandoleary.com
greg~richardsonandoleary.com
Dr. Don Reading
Ben Johnson Associates, Inc.
6070 Hil Road
Boise, Idaho 83703
Hand Delivered
U.S. Mail
_ Overnight Mail
FAX
-- Email dr~beniohnsonassociates.com
Idaho Irrigation Pumpers Association, Inc.
Eric L. Olsen
RACINE, OLSON, NYE, BUDGE &
BAILEY, CHARTERED
201 East Center
P.O. Box 1391
Pocatello, Idaho 83204-1391
Hand Delivered
U.S. Mail
_ Overnight Mail
FAX
-- Email elo~racinelaw.net
Anthony Yankel
29814 Lake Road
Bay Vilage, Ohio 44140
Hand Delivered
U.S. Mail
_ Overnight Mail
FAX
-- Email tony~yankel.net
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 58
The Kroger Co.
Kurt J. Boehm
BOEHM, KURTZ & LOWRY
36 East Seventh Street, Suite 1510
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Kevin Higgins
Energy Strategies, LLC
215 South State Street, Suite 200
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
Micron Technology, Inc.
MaryV. York
HOLLAND & HART, LLP
101 South Capital Boulevard, Suite 1400
Boise, Idaho 83702
Richard E. Malmgren
Senior Assistant General Counsel
Micron Technology, Inc.
800 South Federal Way
Boise, Idaho 83716
The United States Department of Energy
Arthur Perry Bruder, Attorney-Advisor
United States Department of Energy
1000 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20585
Dwight D. Etheridge
Exeter Associates, Inc.
10480 Little Patuxent Parkay, Suite 300
Columbia, Maryland 21044
Hand Delivered
U.S. Mail
_ Overnight Mail
FAX
-- Email kboehm~BKLlawfirm.com
irh~battisher.com
Hand Delivered
U.S. Mail
_ Overnight Mail
FAX
-- Email khiggins~energystrat.com
Hand Delivered
U.S. Mail
_ Overnight Mail
FAX
-- Email myork~hollandhart.com
tnelson~holland hart. com
madavidson~hollandhart.com
fschmidt~hollandhart.com
Inbuchanan~hollandhart.com
Hand Delivered
U.S. Mail
_ Overnight Mail
FAX
-- Email remalmgren~micron.com
Hand Delivered
U.S. Mail
_ Overnight Mail
FAX
-- Email Arthur.bruder~hq.doe.gov
Steven .porter~hq.doe.gov
Hand Delivered
U.S. Mail
_ Overnight Mail
FAX
-- Email detheridge~exeterassociates.com
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 59
Community Action Partnership
Association of Idaho
Brad M. Purdy
Attorney at Law
2019 North 1 ¡th Street
Boise, Idaho 83702
Hand Delivered
U.S. Mail
_ Overnight Mail
FAX
-- Email bmpurdy~hotmail.com
Idaho Conservation League
Benjamin J. Otto
Idaho Conservation League
710 North Sixth Street (83702)
P.O. Box 844
Boise, Idaho 83701
Hand Delivered
U.S. Mail
_ Overnight Mail
FAX
-- Email botto~idahoconservation.org
Snake River Allance
Ken Miller
Snake River Allance
P.O. Box 1731
Boise, Idaho 83701
Hand Delivered
U.S. Mail
_ Overnight Mail
FAX
-- Email kmiller~snakeriverallance.org
NW Energy Coalition
Nancy Hirsh, Policy Director
NW Energy Coalition
811 First Avenue, Suite 305
Seattle, Washington 98104
Hand Delivered
U.S. Mail
_ Overnight Mail
FAX
-- Email nancy~nwenergy.org
Hoku Materials, Inc.
Dean J. Miller
McDEVITT & MILLER LLP
420 East Bannock (83702)
P.O. Box 2564
Boise, Idaho 83701
Hand Delivered
U.S. Mail
_ Overnight Mail
FAX
-- Email ioe~mcdevitt-miller.com
heather~mcdevitt-miller.com
Scott Paul, CEO
Hoku Materials, Inc.
One Hoku Way
Pocatello, Idaho 83204
Hand Delivered
U.S. Mail
_ Overnight Mail
FAX
-- Email spaul~hoku~orp.com~~ßo_'
--
IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO'S FIRST DISCOVERY REQUESTS TO IDAHO POWER - 60