IPC-E-02-03waiver.pdf

Telephone [phone], Fax [phone]
LARRY D. RIPLEY
Senior Attorney

March 29, 2002

Ms. Jean D. Jewell, Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
472 W. Washington Street
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0074

Re: Case No. IPC-E-02-02 and
Case No. IPC-E-02-03

Dear Ms. Jewell:

Enclosed for filing with the Commission are an original and seven (7) copies
of the Company’s Request For Waiver of Bill Stuffer Requirement regarding the above-
entitled cases.

I would appreciate it if you would return a stamped copy of this transmittal
letter for our files.

Very truly yours,

/s/

Larry D. Ripley

LDR:jb
Enclosures

REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF BILL STUFFER REQUIREMENT, Page 1
LARRY D. RIPLEY ISB #965
Idaho Power Company
P. O. Box 70
Boise, Idaho 83707
Telephone: [phone]
FAX Telephone: [phone]

Attorney for Idaho Power Company

Street Address For Express Mail:

1221 West Idaho Street
Boise, Idaho 83702

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION )
OF IDAHO POWER COMPANY FOR AN ) CASE NO. IPC-E-02-02
ENERGY COST FINANCING ORDER AND ) IPC-E-02-03
AUTHORITY TO INSTITUTE AN ENERGY )
COST BOND CHARGE. )
) REQUEST FOR WAIVER
) OF BILL STUFFER
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION ) REQUIREMENT
OF IDAHO POWER COMPANY FOR )
AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT A POWER )
COST ADJUSTMENT (PCA) RATE FOR )
ELECTRIC SERVICE FROM MAY 16, 2002 )
THROUGH MAY 15, 2003. )
)

Pursuant to RP 13, Idaho Power Company (“Idaho Power” or “the
Company”) requests that the Commission waive the requirement for a Power Cost
Adjustment (“PCA”) bill stuffer in the above proceeding for and upon the following
grounds:
1. On March 11, 2002, the Company mailed to all of its Idaho retail
customers a special mailing providing notification as to the Company’s Application for
REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF BILL STUFFER REQUIREMENT, Page 2
an energy cost recovery bond and related energy cost bond charges. In that same
notice the Company advised its customers of the impending Application for the
Company’s 2002 PCA. The Company described the amount of the PCA Application
with and without the issuance of energy cost recovery bonds. The information
contained in that notice remains accurate. A copy of that notification is attached as
Attachment 1.
2. The Commission, on March 27, 2002, issued its notice in the
above-entitled matter and set public hearings for:
Twin Falls on Wednesday, April 10, 2002.
Pocatello on Monday, April 15, 2002.
Boise on Thursday, April 25, 2002.

The Commission set a technical hearing for April 26, 2002, at 9:30 a.m. in
the Commission Hearing Room in Boise.
3. The Company is concerned that an additional bill stuffer at this time
would lead to confusion rather than provide notification, since the Company’s customers
have already been notified of the Applications as previously noted.
4. The Company would point out that a bill stuffer issued on a cyclical
basis would not be received by most of its customers until after the hearings described
above.
5. The Company has discussed its concerns with Commission Staff
and has advised Staff that the request would be filed.
6. The Company, as part of this request, will provide notification,
including paid advertisements notifying the Company’s customers of the scheduled
REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF BILL STUFFER REQUIREMENT, Page 3
proceedings. That notification plan is attached as Attachment 2. Staff has
recommended that if this request is granted, the Company provide such notification.
7. As provided in UCIR 102.05, the Commission’s customer
notification rules do not create any due process or other procedural rights in customers.
Thus, the Company submits the Commission can waive the notice requirements if it
determines that the public interest would be served.
WHEREFORE, the Company submits that, since the customers have
already received notification, it is in the public interest in this unique situation for the
Commission to determine that the issuance of bill stuffers as required by UCIR 102
regarding the Company’s PCA Application is “impractical, unnecessary and not in the
public interest.” (See RP 13)
The Company respectfully requests that the Commission consider the
Company’s request for waiver of the bill stuffer requirement as soon as practicable,
since if the Company’s request is denied, the Company would be required to make
arrangements for the insertion of a bill stuffer.
DATED this 29th day of March, 2002.

/s/

LARRY D. RIPLEY
Attorney for Idaho Power Company

ATTACHMENT 1

ATTACHMENT 2

Communications Plan To Support Idaho Power Involvement In
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Workshops and Hearings

Objective (s): To increase and enhance awareness of, and attendance and participation in
upcoming Idaho Public Utilities Commission public meetings.

Methodology: Idaho Power will use the general media as the primary vehicle for
promoting the upcoming IPUC hearings and workshops. The company’s Corporate
Communications Department will draft news releases and contact writers and editors of
publications, television and radio stations within the communities surrounding the cities
in which these meetings will be held. These releases will encapsulate the reasons for the
hearings and will emphasize the need for public participation in these meetings.

In addition, Idaho Power will use paid advertising in general circulation newspapers in
and around the cities in which these meetings are scheduled to be held. These ads will
promote the schedule of both the workshops and public hearings and will briefly explain
the purpose and background surrounding them.

Timing:
· Paid Advertising- Advertising copy will be prepared and is expected to be
disseminated the week of April 1.
· News Releases- News releases will be prepared and should by disseminated on these
dates: April 3 (Twin Falls) April 8 (Pocatello) April 18 (Boise)

Proposed Publications and Stations :
· Twin Falls Area: (Print) Times-News, South Idaho Press, North Side News, Buhl
Herald (Electronic) KMVT Television; KLIX-Radio
· Pocatello Area: (Print) Idaho State Journal; Blackfoot Morning News (Electronic)
KIFI-Television; KIDK-Television; KWIK Radio
· Boise Area: (Print)The Idaho Statesman; Nampa Press-Tribune; Emmett
Messenger(Electronic) KIVI-Television; KBCI-Television; KTVB-Television;
KTRV-Television; KBOI Radio; KIDO Radio; KBSU Radio