20101014amended_public_workshop_order_no_32091.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
October 14 2010
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF A REVIEW OF THE
SURROGATE AVOIDABLE RESOURCE
(SAR) METHODOLOGY FOR
CALCULATING PUBLISHED AVOIDED
COST RATES
AMENDED NOTICE OF
PUBLIC WORKSHOP
CASE NO. GNR-09-
ORDER NO. 32091
On August 6, 2009, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (Commission) opened a
generic docket (Case No. GNR-09-03) to assess the continued viability of the Commission
existing proxy unit or surrogate avoided resource (SAR) methodology for calculating published
avoided cost rates. Specifically, the Commission noticed its intent to explore the continued
reasonableness of using published avoided cost rates as presently calculated for all Qualifying
Cogeneration and Small Power Production Facility (QF) resource types. 18 C.R. g 292.101(6).
As reflected in the Commission s August 6, 2009 Notice, the appropriateness of a
single avoided cost SAR methodology for published rates is being re-examined in the context of
PURP A and FERC requirements 1 and the comparative and different generation and operation
capabilities of resources being offered to Idaho utilities, e., capacity factor, dispatchability,
intermittency.Written comments were solicited.Reply comments were authorized.All
comments are available for review at the Commission s office, 472 W. Washington Street
Boise, Idaho and on the Commission s web site www.puc.idaho.gov by clicking on "File Room
and then "Electric Cases.
At the direction of the Commission, Staff prepared a straw man wind SAR proposal
earlier this year and distributed it to a small universe of interested parties (QFs and utilities) for
their review and comment. (The straw man proposal was attached to the Commission s earlier
Notice of Public Workshop issued October 6 2010, and is now available attached to that Notice
on the Commission s web site.) It was a starting point proposal intended to generate discussion
of its strengths and weaknesses and to provoke the formulation of new and better proposals.
Those comments are also available for review at the Commission s offices and on its web site.
I The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURP A) and the implementing regulations of the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) (18 c.F.R. ~ 292).
AMENDED NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOPORDER NO. 32091
On October 6, 2010, the Commission formally noticed the straw man proposal
scheduled an October 26, 2010 public workshop regarding same and set a November 23, 2010
deadline for written comments. Staff informs the Commission that it is necessary to change the
date of its public workshop so that all key Staff personnel can be present.
AMENDED NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the public workshop to be held by Staff for a
discussion of the straw man wind SAR proposal is rescheduled for WEDNESDAY.
NOVEMBER 3. 2010. COMMENCING AT 9:30 A.M. AT THE COMMISSION'
HEARING ROOM. 472 W. WASHINGTON STREET. BOISE. IDAHO.Persons wishing
to participate telephonically may dial toll-free [phone]; when prompted. enter
Participant Code 472404.The purpose of the workshop is to discuss the strengths and
weaknesses of the proposal and to provoke and entertain the generation of new and better
proposals.
The deadline for filing written comments regarding the straw man wind SAR
proposal remains unchanged, Tuesday, ~ovember 23, 2010.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be held in
facilities meeting the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Persons needing the help of a sign language interpreter or other assistance in order to participate
in or to understand testimony and argument at a public hearing may ask the Commission to
provide a sign language interpreter or other assistance at the hearing. The request for assistance
must be received at least five (5) working days before the hearing by contacting the Commission
Secretary at:
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
[phone] (Telephone)
[phone] (FAX)
Mail: secretary(fYpuc.idaho.gov
ORDER
In consideration of the foregoing and as more particularly described above, IT IS
HEREBY ORDERED and the Commission does hereby adopt the foregoing amended schedule
for public workshop in Case No. GNR-09-03.
AMENDED NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
ORDER NO. 32091
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this / Lj'
f'/1
day of October 2010.
u~vL
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
Commission Secretary
bls/O:GNR-09-03 _sw4
AMENDED NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
ORDER NO. 32091