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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20050624Decision Memo.pdfDECISION MEMORANDUM TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER CO MMISSI 0 NER SMITH COMMISSIONER HANSEN COMMISSION SECRETARY LEGAL WORKING FILE FROM:SCOTT WOODBURY DATE:JUNE 22, 2005 RE:CASE NO. GNR-05-1 (Idaho Power, Avista, PacifiCorp) ADJUSTABLE PORTION OF AVOIDED COST RATE REVISED/UPDATED CALCULATION FOR EXISTING CONTRACTS. CASE NO. PAC-05-6 (PacifiCorp) ANNUAL VARIABLE ENERGY RATE ADJUSTMENTS - 1992 AMENDMENT QF CONTRACTS. The Idaho Public Utilities Commission in Order No. 28708, Case No. GNR-99- established a methodology for the annual adjustable rate portion of avoided costs for those QF contracts using variable costs associated with Colstrip, a coal-fired generating facility in southeast Montana. For those QF contracts with Colstrip-related fuel costs and variable O&M, future Colstrip variable cost adjustments are to be calculated by using FERC Form 1 Colstrip Unit Coal Costs per megawatt hour (MWh) and adding $2.00/MWh (the average variable O&M cost of Co 1st rip plus 20~/MWh for generation taxes plus a five percent (5%) adjustment for line loss). As computed by Commission Staff, the Colstrip related adjustable rate should change from 8.88 mill/kWh to 8. mill/kWh. The same calculated rate revision under the avoided cost methodology is used by Avista PacifiCorp dba UP&L and Idaho Power Company. This change in the variable rate affects existing contracts under the previous SAR methodology. The adjustable portion of the avoided cost rates under Sumas-based methodology is based on annual average gas prices indexed at Sumas, Washington. As reported by A vista, the indexed gas prices have increased by $0.61/mmbtu. The approved gas price of $5.31/mmbtu plus the $0.61/mmbtu increase results in a gas price of $5.92/mmbtu for the 2005-2006 year. This equates to a SAR fuel cost of 43.51 mill/kWh as used in the model. DECISION MEMORANDUM JUNE 22, 2005 The Commission Staff by letter dated May 31 2005 , prepared by Staff Engineer Rick Sterling, calculated changes to the annual adjustable rate portion of avoided costs for those QF contracts using variable costs associated with Colstrip and Sumas for review by the respective utilities. A vista, Idaho Power and PacifiCorp by letter responses (attached) indicated that Staffs calculations are correct. In accordance with Order No. 29316, the adjustable portion of the avoided cost rate for existing PacifiCorp contracts with year 1992 amendments has also been recomputed. Beginning on July 1 2003, the adjustable portion for these contracts was ordered to be equal to the average cost of fuel for the Carbon, Hale, Naughton, Huntington and Hunter generating plans, including a variable O&M component of $1.51 but exclusive of generation taxes and a line loss adjustment. The variable energy rate applicable to deliveries commencing July 1 , 2005 extending through June 30, 2006 has been computed by PacifiCorp to be $11.55/MWh, an increase from $10.52 last year. COMMISSION DECISION Under avoided cost methodology the adjustable portion of avoided cost rates for existing contracts is calculated annually for an effective date of July 1. A vista, Idaho Power and PacifiCorp agree with Staff s proposed calculations. Also adjusted annually is the adjustable portion of avoided cost rates for existing PacifiCorp contracts with year 1992 amendments. PacifiCorp for those contracts has computed the new variable energy rate. Does the Commission agree with the proposed changes in the variable rates? bls/M:GNREO501 PACEO506 sw DECISION MEMORANDUM JUNE 22, 2005 Avista Corp. 1411 East Mission PO Box 3727 Spokane, Washington 99220-3727 , Telephone 509-489-0500 Toll Free 800-727.9170 ~~~'V'ST Corp. June 15,2005 State 'of Idaho Public Utilities Commission Mr. Rick Sterling , Statehouse Mail West 472 Washington Boise, ill 83720 RE:Case No. GNR-05- Dear Mr. Sterling: A vista is responding to the notice dated May 31 , 2005 'regarding the annual revision and updated calculation of the adjustable portion of the avoided cost rates. The Company is in agreement with the Colstrip adjustable rate of 8.87 mil1/kWh and the annual average gas price of $5.92/mmbtu for the 2005-2006 year. Thank you, Clint Kalich Manager of Resource Planning and Power Supply Analyses IDAHO~POUUER ECEIVED An IDACORP compan ~tLED ~, ". ':::, lOAt.,iO PUBL1C UTILITIES COMMiSSION Randy C. Allphin Contract Administrator June 14, 2005 Idaho Public Utilities Commission Attn: Scott Woodbury PO Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0074 RE:CASE NOS. GNR-05-1; P AC-05- IN THE MATTER OF THE ANNUAL REVISION AND UPDATED CALCULATION OF THE ADJUSTABLE PORTION OF THE AVOIDED COST RATE(S) FOR EXISTING PURPA CONTRACTS FOR A VISTA CORPORATION DBA A VISTA UTILITIES, FOR IDAHO POWER COMPANY AND FOR PACIFICORP DBA UTAH POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY. We have reviewed the information you have provided in your letter dated May 31 , 2005 notifying Idaho Power of revision of the adjustable portion of the Avoided cost rate(s) for existing PURPA contracts.. Idaho Power concurs that the. model and calculations used by the IPUC staff for Idaho Power Company are consistent with IPUC Order 28708. Sincerely, ;2.,1 f. ad~ dRandy ~ ~I rn Contract Administration . ' Cc:Monica Moen (Ipco) Bart Kline (Ipco) Telephone: (208) 388-2614 Fax: (208) 433-5163 Raliphin(?gIdahopower.com PACIFIC POWER UTAH POWER HECEIVED :::- 1l,.E 0 Z9Si JJN-' . . ,-.ZO IDAHO PUBLtC . . . UTtL1TlES COMM1SS10;N 825 E. Multnomah Portland, Oregon 97232 (503) 813-5000 . PACIFICORP June 8, 2005 Idaho Public Utilities Commission PO Box 83730 Boise, ill 83720-0074 Attention: Scott D Woodbury RE: Case Nos. GNR-05-1; Case No. PAC-05- Dear Mr. Woodbury, Thank you for your letter of May 31 , 2005 in which you provided the 2005-2006 updated prices for the adjustable portion of the avoided costs rates under the present avoided cost methodology. Your letter also provided an update to the adjustable rate portion of avoided costs for QF contracts using variable costs associated with Colstrip and for PacifiCorp contracts with 1992 amendments. PacifiCorp has reviewed these proposed updated prices and agree that the prices have been updated correctly. The Company accepts the new schedules as accurate. If you have any questions please feel free to call or email me at (503) 813-5541 or Mark. Wi4mer~PacifiCorp.com incerel y, Mark Widmer Director Regulatory