980302.docx

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER HANSEN
COMMISSIONER NELSON
COMMISSIONER SMITH
MYRNA WALTERS
TONYA CLARK
DON HOWELL
STEPHANIE MILLER
DAVE SCHUNKE
DAVID SCOTT
WORKING FILE
FROM:BRAD PURDY
DATE:March 2, 1998
RE:IPC-E-98-3
APPLICATION OF IDAHO POWER TO UPDATE THE COMPANY’S GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE PRAIRIE SERVICE AREA.
On February 5, 1998, Idaho Power filed an Application to update its general rules and regulations pertaining to the Company’s Prairies Service Area.  Idaho Power acquired the assets of Prairie Power Cooperative, Inc., in 1992.  The Commission approved the Company’s proposed accounting for the purchase as well as a tariff setting forth rates and conditions for service to customers in the Prairie service area on June 30, 1992 in Order No. 24398 issued in Case No. IPC-E-92-11.
In its Application in this Case, Idaho Power notes that the Prairie Service tariffs were patterned after the Company’s general rules and regulations pertaining to its general service territory in the state of Idaho.  The Prairie service tariffs setting forth the rates for electric service, however, were unique and, under Order No.24398, were allowed to remain in existence for 10 years.  Consequently, when Idaho Power filed for general rate relief on June 30, 1994, in Case No. IPC-E-94-5, the Company’s Prairie service area was omitted and its tariffs were not revised.
Moreover, when the tariff provisions relating to new service attachments and distribution line installments were alterations for Idaho Power’s general service territory were revised, the separate Prairie service area tariffs were not changed.  Consequently, the Company’s line extension tariffs in the Prairie service area, although originally duplicating the Company’s general line extension provisions, were not updated and still reflect the pre-February 6, 1997 tariffs.
Through its Application in this case, Idaho Power proposes to adopt the same general rules and regulations that are currently applicable to its general service territory for the Prairie service area.  The Company does not propose to change the tariff rates for electric service for the Prairie service area.  Assuming approval by the Commission of the Company’s Application in this Case, Idaho Power states that it will include the Prairie service area in any future applications to change the Company’s general rules and regulations.
On February 12, 1998, the Commission issued a Notice of Application/Notice of Intervention Deadline requiring Petitions be filed no later than March 4, 1998.  To date, no Petitions have been filed.  Idaho Power requests that the Commission process its Application under Modified Procedure.  The Company has proposed an effective date of April 15, 1998, for its proposed updated tariffs.  Staff recommends that the Commission handle this matter under Modified Procedure.
Commission Decision
Does the Commission wish to issue a Notice of Modified Procedure soliciting comments in response to the Company’s Application in this case?  

Brad Purdy
cm:M:Prairie.bp