20070423_1902.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:CO MMISSI 0 NER KJELLAND ER
COMMISSIONER SMITH
COMMISSIONER REDFORD
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
FROM:DON HOWELL
DATE:APRIL 16, 2007
SUBJECT:JOINT APPLICATION OF IDAHO POWER AND THE COMMUNITY
ACTION PARTNERSHIP ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO TO CONTINUE
IDAHO POWER'S WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM,
CASE NO. IPC-07-
On April 9, 2007, Idaho Power and the Community Action Partnership Association
of Idaho (CAP AI) filed a Joint Application seeking Commission authorization for Idaho Power
to continue its Weatherization Assistance Program previously authorized in the Company s 2004
rate case. Order No. 29505. CAP AI represents the Community Action agencies that administer
weatherization programs for electric utilities in Idaho. The Commission set Idaho Power
weatherization funding level at $1.2 million and required CAP AI to file an application with the
Commission if it desired to extend the funding beyond June 1 , 2007. Order No. 29505 at 33.
The parties have requested that this Application be processed via Modified Procedure.
BACKGROUND
Idaho Power provides funding to designated community agencIes for the
weatherization of electrically heated homes occupied by eligible low-income customers and
buildings occupied by non-profit organizations. Application at 2. Idaho Power s program
called Weatherization Assistance for Qualified Customers (W AQC) is administer through five
Idaho and three Oregon community agencies. Id. The W AQC program enables low-income
families to permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient.
According to the Company s 2006 Weatherization Report, Idaho Power funded 540
weatherization projects (538 residences and 2 non-profit units). The average cost of installing
conservation measures per residence was $2 205. Report at 3. Idaho Power s total expenditures
DECISION MEMORANDUM
for calendar year 2006 was $1.344 million. Application at 3. Idaho Power reported that it saved
958 MWh.
Idaho Power s weatherization program includes all eligible conservation measures
approved by the U.S. Department of Energy. To ensure that each project is cost-effective, Idaho
Power requires that each job have a savings to investment ratio (SIR) of 1.0 or better. For its
2006 projects, the average SIR value per residence was 2.45. Report at 7. During the last three
years, Idaho Power funded nearly 1400 weatherization projects.
THE APPLICATION
CAP AI and Idaho Power stated that continuation of the weatherization program is in
the public interest and will enable "additional low-income families to permanently reduce their
energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient." Application at 4. The parties further
state that continuation of the weatherization program will benefit all of Idaho Power s customers
by reducing the demand for energy.
ST AF F ANAL YSIS
The Staff concurs with the parties' recommendation that this matter be processed
under Modified Procedure. Consequently, Staff recommends that the Commission issue a Notice
of Application and Notice of Modified Procedure to process this case.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to process this matter under Modified Procedure?
Don Howell
blslM:IPC-O7-09 dh
DECISION MEMORANDUM