20120319notice_of_oral_argument_order_no_32495.pdf

Office ofthe Secretar
Service Date
March 19,2012
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE COMMISSION'S
REVIEW OF PURPA QF CONTRACT
PROVISIONS INCLUDING THE
SURROGATE AVOIDED RESOURCE (SAR)
AND INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLANNING
(IRP) METHODOLOGIES FOR
CALCULATING PUBLISHED AVOIDED
COST RATES.
)
) CASE NO. GNR-E-ll-03
)
) NOTICE OF ORAL ARGUMENT
) ON IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S
) MOTION FOR A TEMPORARY
) STAY
)
) ORDER NO. 32495
On September 1, 2011, the Commission initiated this proceeding to review the terms
of PURP A power purchase agreements including, but not limited to, the surogate avoided
resource (SAR) and Integrated Resource Planing (IRP) methodologies for calculating avoided
cost rates. Order No. 32352. On November 2, 2011, the Commission issued a Notice of
Scheduling outlining the procedural schedule for the case. Order No. 32388. The case has been
proceeding according to schedule.
On March 12,2012, Idaho Power Company fied a Motion for a Temporary Stay of
its Obligation to Enter into New Power Purchase Agreements with Qualifying Facilties other
than pursuant to its Schedule 86. Idaho Power requests that the Commission find that (l) the
evidence set forth in GNR-E-II-03 establishes prima facie proof that Idaho Power's curent
avoided cost rates are not accurate; (2) without adequate interim relief from its duty to purchase
output from QFs at inaccurate avoided cost rates, Idaho Power's customers are likely to suffer
substantial har; (3) the balance of harms favors granting interim relief compared to not granting
such relief; and (4) good cause exists to grant immediate relief on an interim basis. Idaho
Power's Motion was accompanied by an Affidavit of Randy Allphin. On March 15 and 16,
2012, Idaho Power also fied the Affidavits of Lisa Grow, Mark Stokes, Karl Bokenkamp, and
Wiliam Hieronymus in support of its Motion. Idaho Power requests that a stay become effective
March 15,2012.
PacifiCorp dba Rocky Mountain Power fied a Request to Join and Response to
Idaho Power's Motion. The Idaho Conservation League, Snake River Alliance, Exergy, and J.R.
Simplot Company each fied responses in opposition to Idaho Power's Motion and asked that the
request for a stay be dismissed in its entirety.
NOTICE OF ORAL ARGUMENT
ORDER NO. 32495
Idaho Power's Motion for Stay was considered at the Commission's March 19,2012,
decision meeting. In order to give all parties to the case an adequate opportunity to respond to
the assertions made by Idaho Power, but in consideration of the expedited nature of Idaho
Power's request, the Commission ordered that an oral argument be held Wednesday, March 21,
2012. IDAPA 31.01.01.254 and .256.02.
NOTICE OF ORAL ARGUMENT
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Commission wil convene a hearing for
oral argument in this case on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012, AT 9:30 A.M. (Mountain
Time) IN THE COMMISSION HEARING ROOM, 472 WEST WASHINGTON STREET,
BOISE, IDAHO.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission wishes the paries to address
the following issues:
1) Whether Idaho Power has established a prima facie case for emergency
relief from its obligation to purchase QF power through the use of the
Surogate Avoided Resource (SAR) and Integrated Resource Planing
(IRP) methodologies;
2) Whether the existing schedule in the GNR-E-ll-03 case (as set out in
Order No. 32388) should be modified to expedite the proceedings and
outcome; and
3) What action, if any, should be taken on Idaho Power's Motion for Stay.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all hearings wil be conducted pursuant to the
Commission's Rules of Procedure. IDAPA 31.01.01.000, et seq.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all hearings and oral arguments in this matter
wil be held in facilties meeting the accessibilty requirements of the Americans with
Disabilties 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:
NOTICE OF ORAL ARGUMENT
ORDER NO. 32495 2
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
[phone] (Telephone)
[phone] (FAX)
E-Mail: secretary(fpuc.daho.gov
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that an oral argument be held on Wednesday, March 21,
2012, at 9:30 a.m. in the Commission Hearing Room.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilties Commission at Boise, Idaho this / Cf
day of March 2012.
~~~
.~d~
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
O:GNR-E-II-03_ks3
NOTICE OF ORAL ARGUMENT
ORDER NO. 32495 3