20121029_3876.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM 1
DECISION MEMORANDUM

TO: COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER REDFORD
COMMISSIONER SMITH
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL

FROM: KARL KLEIN
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL

DATE: OCTOBER 24, 2012

SUBJECT: COMMISSION INQUIRY INTO THE COST-EFFECTIVENESS AND
FUNDING OF ELECTRIC UTILITY LIWA AND CONSERVATION
EDUCATION PROGRAMS; CASE NO. GNR-E-12-01

Idaho Power Company, Avista Utilities, and Rocky Mountain Power Company offer
low-income weatherization programs and energy conservation education programs. In recent
rate cases, questions surfaced about how to best determine each utility’s appropriate level of
program funding. In particular, concerns arose about how such programs are to be accurately
assessed for cost-effectiveness and overall customer need. The Commission thus initiated this
generic case and directed Staff to convene a public workshop. See Notice of Public Workshop
issued February 15, 2012. At the workshop, “utilities, interested persons, and Commission Staff
[were] to explore in greater detail issues related to the funding, implementation, and evaluation
of utility low-income weatherization and energy conservation education programs. Following
the workshop, Commission Staff shall prepare and submit a report of its findings and
recommendations.” Id. The “Commission then will schedule further proceedings and hearings
as needed.” Id.
The workshop occurred, and Staff filed its report on October 23, 2012. With regard
to procedure, Staff’s report recommends that the Commission process this case under Modified
Procedure. Staff recommended the Commission set deadlines for interested parties to file written

DECISION MEMORANDUM 2
comments on the report,1 that the Staff’s reply comments be due 14 days later, and that and any
intervenor funding requests be filed 14 days after Staff’s reply.2
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Commission process this matter under Modified Procedure
with a 21-day comment period and 14-day reply period, with any intervenor funding requests
due 14 days after the reply deadline.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to process this matter under Modified Procedure with a
21-day comment period and 14-day reply period, with any intervenor funding requests to be due
14 days after the reply deadline?

M:GNR-E-12-01_kk2

1 Per RP 201, all interested persons will have at least 21 days from the date of the notice of modified procedure to
file comments.
2 In Order 32440, Case No. PAC-E-11-13, the Commission stated: “The Commission notes that it will entertain a
timely petition for intervenor funding filed by CAPAI following the conclusion of the public workshops ordered in
this case. Because the Commission views this case as a precursor to the generic investigation and public workshops
ordered in this case, PAC-E-11-13, and the Company’s last general rate case, PAC-E-11-12, CAPAI may submit a
request that includes any fees and/or costs incurred by the organization associated with this case.”