20121102notice_of_modified_procedure_order_no_32673.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
November 2.2012
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE COMMISSION’S )
INQUIRY INTO THE COST-EFFECTIVENESS )CASE NO.GNR-E-12-O1
AND FUNDING OF LOW INCOME )
WEATHERIZATION PROGRAMS AND )NOTICE OF
ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAMS FOR )MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ELECTRIC UTILITIES )
_______________________________
)ORDER NO.32673
On October 23,2012,Staff of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission filed a report of
its analysis and recommendations about the low-income weatherization and energy conservation
education programs otiered by Idaho Power Company,Avista Utilities,and Rocky Mountain
Power Company.With this Order,the Commission determines to process this case using
Modified Procedure,solicits written comments on the report from interested persons,and
establishes deadlines for intervenor funding requests.
BACKGROUND
Idaho Power Company,Avista Utilities,and Rocky Mountain Power Company offer
low-income weatherization programs and energy conservation education programs.In recent
rate cases,questions surfaced about how to best determine each utility’s appropriate level of
program funding.In particular,concerns arose about how such programs are to be accurately
assessed for cost-effectiveness and overall customer need.The Commission thus initiated this
generic case and directed Staff to convene a public workshop.See Notice of Public Workshop
issued February 15,2012.At the workshop,“utilities,interested persons,and Commission Staff
[were]to explore in greater detail issues related to the funding,implementation,and evaluation
of utility low-income weatherization and energy conservation education programs.Following
the workshop,Commission Staff shall prepare and submit a report of its findings and
recommendations.”Id.The ‘Commission then will schedule further proceedings and hearings
as needed.”Id.
The workshop occulTed,and Staff filed its report on October 23,2012.Staff’s report
contains 56 pages of analysis and recommendations regarding the three electric utilities’low
income weatherization and energy conservation education programs.A copy of the report is
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.32673 1
available during regular business hours at the Commission offices,or is also available on the
Commission’s web site at:
http ://www.puc .idaho.gov/intemet/cases/elec/gnr/gnre 1201 /staff/20 121 O23report.pdf
With regard to procedure,Staffs report recommended that the Commission process this case
using Modified Procedure.Staff recommended the Commission set deadlines for interested
persons to file written comments on the report,’that the Staffs reply comments be due 14 days
later,and that any intervenor funding requests be filed 14 days after Staffs reply.2
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined that the
public interest may not require a formal hearing in this matter and will proceed under Modified
Procedure pursuant to Rules 201 through 204 of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission’s Rules
of Procedure,IDAPA 31.01.01.201 through .204.The Commission notes that Modified
Procedure and written comments have proven to be an effective means for obtaining public input
and participation.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that any person desiring to state a position
regarding Staffs report may file a written comment in support or opposition with the
Commission within twenty-one (21)days from the service date of this Notice.The comment
must contain a statement of reasons supporting the comment.Persons desiring a hearing must
specifically request a hearing in their written comments.Written comments on Staffs report
shall be mailed to the Commission at the addresses reflected below:
Per RP 201,all interested persons will have at least 21 days from the date of the notice of modified procedure to
file comments.
2 In Order 32440,Case No.PAC-E1 1-13,the Commission stated:“The Commission notes that it will entertain a
timely petition for intervenor funding filed by CAPAI following the conclusion of the public workshops ordered in
this case.Because the Commission views this case as a precursor to the generic investigation and public workshops
ordered in this case,PAC-E-1 1-13,and the Company’s last general rate case,PAC-E-lI-12,CAPAI may submit a
request that includes any fees and/or costs incurred by the organization associated with this case.”
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.32673 2
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P0 Box 83720
Boise,ID 83720-0074
Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W.Washington Street
Boise,ID 83702-5918
All comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this
document.Persons desiring to submit comments via e-mail may do so by accessing the
Commission’s home page located at www.puc.idaho.gov.Click the “Comments and Questions”
icon and complete the comment form using the case number as it appears on the front of this
document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no Titten comments or protests are
received within the time limit set,the Commission will consider this matter on its merits and
enter its Order without a formal hearing.If written comments are received within the time limit
set,the Commission will consider them and,in its discretion,may set the same for formal
hearing.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the report has been filed with the
Commission and is available for public inspection during regular business hours at the
Commission offices.The report and other documents submitted in this matter also are available
on the Commission’s web site at www.puc.idaho.gov by clicking on “File Room”and then
“Electric Cases.”
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held
pursuant to the Commission’s jurisdiction under Title 61 of the Idaho Code and specifically
Idaho Code §61-333(1)and 61-334B.The Commission may enter any final Order consistent
with its authority under Title 61.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be
conducted pursuant to the Commission’s Rules of Procedure,IDAPA 3 1.01.01.000 et seq.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.32673 3
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this Application be processed by Modified
Procedure.Persons interested in submitting written comments in this matter must do so no later
than twenty-one (21)days from the date of this Order.Staff must submit reply comments,if any,
within fourteen (14)days after the initial comment deadline.Intervenor funding requests,if any,
must be filed within fourteen (14)days after the reply deadline.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this 2 ‘“
day of November 2012.
4c
PAUL K LLANI3,PRESIDENT
Jk__
MACK A.REDFOD,COMMISIONER
L14tL
MARSHA H.SMITH,COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
Jehn D.JewellI
Commission Secretary
O:GNR-E-]2-Olkk
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDERNO.32673 4