users022.pdf

Edward A. Finklea
Chad M. Stokes
Energy Advocates , LLP
526 NW 18th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209-0220
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Counsel for the Northwest
Industrial Gas Users
e-mail: mail((j)energyadvocates. com
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BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF INTERMOUNTAIN'
GAS COMPANY'S 2002 INTEGRATED
RESOURCE PLAN
COMMENTS OF THE
NORTHWEST INDUSTRIAL
GAS USERS
CASE NO. INT-02-
COMES NOW the Northwest Industrial Gas Users ("NWIGU"l by and through its
Attorneys of Record, Edward A. Finklea and Chad M. Stokes, and in response to the Notice
of Filing, Notice of Modified Procedure and Notice of Comment Deadline issued in Order No.
29039 on May 29,2002, submit the following comments.
1 NWIGU is a nonprofit association comprised of thirty-two end users of natural gas with major facilities in the
states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. NWIGU members encompass diverse industrial interests, including food
processing, pulp and paper, wood products, electri: generation, aluminum, steel, chemicals, electronics, and
aerospace. The association provides an informational service to its members and participates in various regulatory
matters that affect member interests. NWIGU member companies purchase transportaion services from Williams
Gas Pipeline - West, also known as Northwest Pipeline Corporation ("NPC") and PG&E Gas Transmission
Northwest Corporation and purchase sales and transportation services from local distribution companies, such as
Intermountain.
PAGE 1 - COMMENTS OF THE NORTHWEST INDUSTRIAL GAS USERS
INTRODUCTION
On April 19 , 2002, Intermountain Gas Company ("Intermountain" or the "Company
submitted its 2002 Integrated Resource Plan with the Commission. The Commission has
elected to process this filing under Modified Procedure pursuant to Rules 201-204 of the
Commission s Rules of Procedure. The Integrated Resource Plan is meant to describe the
currently anticipated conditions over the five-year planning horizon, the anticipated resource
selections and the process for making those resource decisions for Intermountain
approximately 200 000 customers in southern Idaho.
The following persons will represent the NWIGU in this proceeding, and should be
included on the official service list:
Edward A. Finklea
Chad M. Stokes
Energy Advocates LLP
526 NW 18th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209-0220
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Counsel for the Northwest
Industrial Gas Users
e- mail: mailal)energyadvocates. com
Paula Pyron
Executive Director
Northwest Industrial Gas Users
4113 Wolf Berry Court
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: ppyronal)nwigu.org
NWIGU COMMENTS
Intermountain should be commended for its effort directed at enhancing its Supervisory
Control and Data Acquisition ("SCADA") system. Intermountain is currently investigating
technology enhancements that would allow industrial customers access to "real-time" natural
gas usage data in a secure manner via the Internet. Intermountain recognizes that industrial
customers' processes can be energy intensive and that access to real-time information enhances
PAGE 2 - COMMENTS OF THE NORTHWEST INDUSTRIAL GAS USERS
the ability of industrial customers to realize energy efficiency gains. The ability of industrial
customers to have real-time access to natural gas usage information is a positive step and
allows customers to develop new methods or technologies , leading to more efficient use of
natural gas. Real-time information can also enhance the price signals consumers receive if
purchasing gas on the open market. NWIGU urges the Commission to approve
Intermountain's plan, and in particular , the efficiency opportunities provided by real-time
industrial usage information.
DATED this 30th day of July, 2002.
Respectfully submitted,
tft(
Edward A. Finklea
Chad M. Stokes
Counsel for the Northwest
Industrial Gas Users
Energy Advocates LLP
526 NW 18th Avenue
Portland , OR 97209-0220
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
PAGE 3 - COMMENTS OF THE NORTHWEST INDUSTRIAL GAS USERS