intreply02-2.pdf

EXECUTIVE OFFICES RECEIVED fIJ
555 SOUTH COLE ROAD. P.O. BOX 7608. BOISE, IDAHO 83707. [phone] . FA
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INTERMOUNTAIN GAS COMPANY
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UTILITIES cor'W1ISSlON
August 20, 2002 .. .... .u ..",c..'o~
Jean Jewell
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public utilities Commission
472 W. Washington St.
O. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0074
Re:Case !NT -D2-
Reply Comments of Intennountain Gas Company
Intennountain Gas Company hereby respectfully submits for consideration by this Commission, a
response to the Comments of the Commission Staff filed as part of the above referenced Case. In its
response, the Company would like to clarify a few of the issues originating within the Staffs remarks.
In regards to Intennountain s questioned participation in the Department of Water Resources "Rebuild
Idaho" program, the Staff noted". . . Intennountain' s name is surprisingly absent from the list of partners
and participants on the program s web site." The Company has taken the necessary actions to see to it
that this administrative clerical oversight has been corrected. Most importantly, as previously
communicated to the Staff and as attested to in the attached letter, Intennountain has been and will
continue to be an active participant in the Rebuild Idaho program in promoting the efficient and wise use
of natural gas in Idaho.
The Company s Integrated Resource Plan filed as part of the above referenced case noted that
Intennountain encourages HV AC dealers to promote high-efficiency furnaces. The Plan also noted that
IGC is an active voice in Idaho s legislative process as lawmakers consider new, higher efficiency
building and energy codes. Intennountain is pleased with the outcome of these efforts thus far and today,
according to 24 HV AC dealers serving our service territory, over 70% of the natural gas space heaters
sold and installed are at least 90% efficient. Intennountain has facilitated the financing of these high-
efficiency heaters through a cooperative program with Wells Fargo Bank. The Staff noted that
Intennountain Gas representatives have infonned Staff that the program would finance a minimally
efficient appliance much the same as an efficient one." The Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandated the
high efficiency standards for natural gas heating equipment and the gas furnace efficiency standard was
set at 78% Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency ("AFUE"). Prior to the 1992 Act, gas furnaces were
typically 50% to 60% efficient. To imply that the Wells Fargo program finances inefficient natural gas
equipment is a distortion of both the program as well as the natural gas equipment marketplace.
In their remarks, the Staff believed the Company s IRP should include a more extensive analysis for
alternative supply basins. As stated in the IRP, our sourcing of gas supplies is completely dependent
upon the transportation capacity available to move those supplies into Idaho. Natural gas from basins
Case !NT -02-
Reply Comments of Intennountain Gas Company
Page 2
August 20, 2002
which nonnally supply the "Midwest" and/or California are not price competitive nor does
Intennountain have access to the transportation capacity to deliver such supplies into Idaho.
Intennountain Gas Company appreciates the opportunity to respond to the comments made by the Staff
and requests that the above remarks are considered in the final ruling given by this Commission. I would
like to personally thank the Staff for the time spent in reviewing this voluminous Integrated Resource
Plan document.
Sincerely,/t/J /l/~
~ha~l P. ~c~h
Director
Market Services & Regulatory Affairs
MPM/slk
Enclosures
State of Idano
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES
1301 North Orchard Street, Boise, ill 83706 - P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ill 83720-0098Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Web Site: www.idwr.state.id.
DIRK KEMPTHORNE
Governor
August 5, 2002 KARL J. DREHER
Director
Byron Defenbach
Program Development and Planning Manager
Intermountain Gas Company
O. Box 7608
Boise, ID 83707
Dear Byron
I understand there has been some confusion about the status of Intermountain Gas Company as aRebuild Idaho partner. We inadvertently overlooked that Intermountain Gas Company did not
complete a Rebuild Idaho Partner Agreement that officially puts you
on the Rebuild Americapublic web site as a Rebuild Idaho partner. However, in spite of the lack of an official agreement
Intermountain Gas Company has operated in the capacity of a partner and has worked with thestaff of the Idaho Energy Division Rebuild Idaho program and cooperatively provided specific
assistance and services to the Rebuild Idaho Partnerships since September 2000.
As a Partner, providing utility data electronically to help partnerships track their data has helped
tremendously. The utility tracking identifies areas where they can conserve energy resources and
reduce operating costs. Without your help, it could have
been very time consuming for some ofthe partners with many accounts. Also, the company provides support to the annual Idaho Energy
Conference, sponsored a break in the utility tracking software training, and provides Rebuild
marketing support from customer representatives. This demonstrates that your actions as a
Rebuild Idaho Partner enhances the efficient use of natural gas, improves environmental
stewardship efforts and provides a foundation for good customer relations.
To make your partnership with Rebuild official, please complete the attached Partner Agreement
form. The voluntary agreement states that you, the partner, and the Rebuild Idaho partnership
agree that increasing the energy efficiency of buildings is a win-win opportunity
for ourcommunities and the nation. More energy efficient buildings reduce building energy costs
increase available capital, spur economic growth, and improve working and living environments.
Once it is signed I will submit it to Rebuild America and they will post the company on the
Rebuild America public website as an official Rebuild Idaho Partner.
Thank you for your continued effort in energy efficiency.
Sincerely,
)di
Sue Seifert ~
Energy Specialist, Sr.
Enclosure (1)