20071119_2111.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:CO MMISSI 0 NER RED FORD
CO MMISSI 0 NER SMITH
COMMISSIONER KEMPTON
COMMISSION SECRETARY
LEGAL
WORKING FILE
FROM:WAYNE HART
DATE:NOVEMBER 16, 2007
RE:IDAHO POWER TARIFF ADVICE CLARIFYING RULE H
TARIFF ADVICE 07-
On October 8th, 2007, Idaho Power Company submitted a tariff advice that inserted
language to clarify the time period in which the Company will accept payments for service
attachments, and distribution line installations or alterations. On November 7, the Commission
suspended this advice until November 19 2007.
The existing tariff language specifies the minimum number of days in advance of
construction that payment must be made, but does not address the maximum period. This tariff
advice adds a maximum of 120 days, unless mutually agreed otherwise, to the tariff language.
STAFF REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION
Staff and the Company have been reviewing other provisions of Rule H and when this
advice was received, Staff had hoped to use it as a vehicle for the broader updates to Rule H.
Staff recommended the short suspension of this advice, as the Company was expected to provide
information on the broader issues by mid November. At this time, it is clear that the broader
issues will take more time to resolve. As this tariff advice does not involve the sections of Rule
H that remain under discussion, Staff no longer finds it appropriate to link this advice to the
broader discussions.
The Company indicates the proposed change is designed to address the situations in
which a customer pays in advance for a work order that is not ready for construction. If the
delay extends beyond 120 days, there may be significant changes to the work order costs. While
DECISION MEMORANDUM - 1 -NOVEMBER 16, 2007
the language of the documents that contain the estimated work order costs already includes a
statement clarifying that the estimate is only valid for a specified period of time, similar language
is not currently part of the tariff. This proposed change would reduce the possibility of any
misunderstanding by including the language in the tariff as well.
Staff has reviewed the proposed changes and finds that it will not be a change in existing
procedure or prices, and that the proposed changes will make the language more understandable.
Therefore, Staff recommends approval of this tariff advice.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to approve Idaho Power s proposed changes to Rule H
submitted as Tariff Advice 07-06.
udmemos/Idaho Power Rule H 07-06 dm
DECISION MEMORANDUM - 2 -NOVEMBER 16, 2007