20171120_Brandon1.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER RAPER
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
KARL KLEIN
FROM:BRANDON KARPEN
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE:NOVEMBER 16,2017
SUBJECT:ROCKY MOUNTAIN POWER'S WIND REPOWERING APPLICATION;
CASE NO.PAC-E-17-06
On July 3,2017,Rocky Mountain Power applied for a Commission determination on the
Company plan to upgrade,or "repower,"its existing wind resources;and approval of associated
rate-making treatment.The Company claims that repowering its wind resources will increase
production,reduce costs,and qualify the Company for federal production tax credits (PTCs).The
Company estimated that upgrades to the system would increase output by about 19%with no
additional facilities.The Company estimated that the project would cost approximately $1.13
billion.
On August 18,2017,the Commission issued a scheduling order for a settlement
conference,prefiled testimony deadline,rebuttal deadline,and a technical hearing date.Order
No.33850.On October 20,2017,the parties reported that a settlement had been reached,and the
Commission vacated the pending testimony deadlines.Order No.33927.
Settlement documents will be filed with the Commission by November 21,2017.The
Parties'request that once those documents are filed,the Commission file notice of the proposed
settlement,vacate the remaining case schedule,and order the proposed settlement be processed
by modified procedure.The parties have agreed to a general comment deadline of December 13,
2017,for party and public comments.
*Monsanto,PacifiCorp Idaho Industrial Customers,and the Idaho IrrigationPumpers Association intervened.
DECISIONMEMORANDUM l
RECOMMENDATION
The parties believe that the proposed settlement should be processed by modified
procedure,and that the proposed schedule will allow adequate time for the parties and public to
weigh in on the proposed settlement.The parties recommend that the Commission issue a
Notice of Proposed Settlement,order that the proposed settlement be processed by modified
procedure,and that a general comment deadline of December 13,2017,be set.
COMMISSION DECISION
1.Does the Commission wish to:1)vacate the remaining schedule;2)issue notice of the
proposed settlement;and 3)order that the proposed settlement be processed by modified
procedure according to the schedule described above?
Deputy AttomeyGeneral
lALegal\LMEMOS\PACE1706bk4.doc
DECISIONMEMORANDUM 2