20200317Min.pdf

IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING
March 17, 2020 – 1:30 P.M. In attendance was Commissioner Paul Kjellander, Commissioner Raper, and Commissioner Anderson.
Commissioner Kjellander called the meeting to order. The first order of business was APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING on
Tuesday March 10, 2020. The Commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes as written. The first order of business was MATTERS IN PROGRESS: 2. Action Item: Edward Jewell’s March 13, 2020, Decision Memorandum re: In the Matter of Avista’s Petition for an Extension to File its 2019 Electric Integrated Resource Plan; Case No. AVU-E-19-01. Mr. Jewell reviewed his Decision Memo and asked if the Commission would wish to recaption this case to read “In the Matter of Avista’s 2020 Electric Integrated Resource Plan”. Mr. Jewell also asked if the Commission would wish to issue a Notice of 2020 Electric Integrated Resource Plan and Notice of Intervention Deadline, setting a 14-day intervention period. Commissioner Raper moved that the Commission would wish to recaption the case to read “In the Matter
Avista’s 2020 Electric Integrated Resource Plan”. Commissioner Raper also moved that the Commission issue a Notice of Intervention Deadline, setting a 14-day intervention period. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously. 3. Action Item: Joe Terry’s March 5, 2020, Decision Memorandum re: Teton Water’s Application to Authorize Debt for Purpose of Well Construction; Case No. TTS-W-20-01. Donn English reviewed Joe Terry’s Decision Memo and stated that Staff recommends the Commission approve the Company’s request for authority to issue up to $450,000 in debt for the third well. Mr. English also stated that Staff recommends the Commission order the Company to file with the Commission the loan documents showing the amount borrowed and all other terms of the loan within seven days of those documents being available. Commissioner Raper commented that a clause be added for the Company to file an Annual Report with the Commission within 7 days of the approval of a $450,000 loan. Commissioner Raper moved that the Commission approve the Company’s request for authority to issue
up to $450,000 in debt for the third well in addition to providing the Commission with the loan documents showing the amount borrowed and the terms and conditions of the loan within 7 days of the loan documents being available as well as an Annual Report. A vote was taken on the motion and it
carried unanimously. 4. Action Item: Idaho Power Advice No. 20-01 –Rule G., Billings.
Mr. Jewell reviewed his Decision Memo and stated Idaho Power filed a tariff advise requesting the term “will” be changed to the term “may” in its tariff to reflect the Company “may” charge interest on late
payments in response to the uncertain economic times caused by the Covid-19 crisis. Commissioner Raper moved that the Commission allow for the proposed changes to Idaho Power Advice No. 20-01 –Rule G., Billings effective as of March 17, 2020. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously. 5. Action Item: Stephen Goodson’s March 16, 2020, Decision Memorandum re: Rules for filing GNR-U-20-01. Mr. Goodson reviewed his Decision Memo and stated that Staff recommends that the Commission allow for temporary electronic filing of documents with the Commission for 30 days, April 14, 2020.
Commissioner Kjellander stated that Action Items 5 and 6 be discussed in unison as the items are not dissimilar.
Commissioner Raper moved that the Commission temporarily suspend Rule 61 allowing for electronic filings by parties effective immediately. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.
Commissioner Raper moved that the Commission temporarily suspend Rule 61 allowing for electronic issuance of Orders and Notices by the Commission effective March 20, 2020 with the exception of Summons and Complaints which would continue to be issued via certified mail. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously. Commissioner Raper moved that the Commission allow for all Hearings, Meetings and Workshops to be held in a telephonic or virtual format indefinitely. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously. 6. Action Item: COVID-19 discussion.
Discussed in unison with Action Item 6. The next order of business was FULLY SUBMITTED MATTERS: 7. Deliberation re: In the Matter of Avista’s Application for an Order Authorizing Accounting and Rate Making Treatment of Costs Associated with the Energy Imbalance Market; Case No. AVU-E-20-01 [Dayn Hardie, Attorney]. Commissioner Kjellander stated that item 7 under Fully Submitted Matters would be deliberated privately. Commissioner Kjellander stated, there was no further business before the Commission, and he adjourned the meeting.
__________________________ ______________________________ COMMISSION SECRETARY DATE OF APPROVAL