20121217_3911.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO: COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER REDFORD
COMMISSIONER SMITH
COMMISSION SECRETARY
LEGAL
WORKING FILE
FROM: MATT ELAM
DATE: DECEMBER 12, 2012
SUBJECT: IDAHO POWER'S TARIFF ADVICE - REVISIONS TO SCHEDULE 41
On November 20, 2012, Idaho Power filed a revision to implement a Dark Sky
Lighting option for street lighting customers under Schedule 41 -Service Option A. This option
is available to customers using Idaho Power owned and maintained fixtures. Schedule 41 does
not currently include a provision for dark sky fixtures. Light fixtures meeting the dark sky
standards have a flat-lens instead of a drop-lens. A flat-lens emits a more focused light beam,
whereas light from a drop-lens causes light pollution because it is emitted over a broader area.
The Company's proposal would allow customers that have a cut-off fixture with a
drop-lens to request the fixture be altered instead of replaced.' Currently if a customer requests
dark sky lighting, the customer requests accelerated replacement of the existing fixture and pays
the designed cost estimate plus $132 to replace each fixture.2 Under the proposed Dark Sky
Lighting option, the Company would alter the existing fixture by simply replacing the drop-lens
with a dark sky compliant flat-lens. This would cost customers the designed cost estimate plus
$23 to alter each fixture. According to the Company, the material cost for the lenses are $22.67
or $23.48, depending on the size of the lens in the various cut-off fixtures. The Company
anticipates the time necessary to replace the lens is approximately half of what is necessary to
replace the entire fixture.
1 Cut-off fixture- provides a cut-off (shielding) of the emitted light.
2 The designed cost estimate includes mileage, time, and labor for the replacement of the existing street light or lens.
DECISION MEMORANDUM 1 DECEMBER 12, 2012
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff reviewed the Company's revisions to Schedule 41 and believes the changes are
reasonable. Staff believes that the proposed changes can be appropriately processed as a tariff
advice because the revisions add new services that lower costs to customers interested in Dark
Sky Lighting.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to approve the replacement Schedule 41 tariff sheet?
i:udmemos/Schedule 41 revision
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2 DECEMBER 12, 2012