28348.mod.doc

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF IDAHO POWER COMPANY FOR AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT THE POWER COST ADJUSTMENT RATE FOR ELECTRIC SERVICE TO CUSTOMERS IN THE STATE OF IDAHO FOR THE PERIOD MAY 16, 2000, THROUGH MAY 15, 2001.
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CASE NO. IPC-E-00-6

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

NOTICE OF
MODIFIED PROCEDURE

ORDER NO. 28348

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on April 14, 2000, the Idaho Power Company filed an Application for approval of Tariff Schedule 55 implementing a power cost adjustment (PCA) of 0.1371 cents per kWh and related tariffs incorporating the PCA adjustment for the period May 16, 2000 through May 15, 2001.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Idaho Power operates as a public utility supplying electric service in Southern Idaho, Eastern Oregon and in a portion of Elko County in Northern Nevada. Moreover, Idaho Power is subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of the Oregon Public Utility Commission, the Public Utility Commission of Nevada, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Idaho Power states that, in compliance with Commission Order No. 24806, approving a PCA mechanism for Idaho Power in Case No. IPCE-92-25, Idaho Power's PCA for the period May 16, 2000 through May 15, 2001 consists of: 1) ninety-percent (90%) of the difference between the projected power cost and the Commission’s approved base power cost and 2) the true-up of the 1999/2000 power costs. Idaho Power maintains that the projected power cost was computed in compliance with Commission Order No. 24806 by inserting the National Weather Service Northwest River Forecast Center’s projection of 3.93 million acre feet of April through July Brownlee streamflow run off into the Commission adopted equation for projecting PCA expenses. According to Idaho Power, the resulting projected power cost of $101,488,260 equates to a cost of 0.7274 cents per kWh. This 0.7274 cents per kWh is 0.2036 cents per kWh higher than the Commission’s approved base of 0.5238 cents per kWh. Idaho Power contends that, by virtue of Order No. 25880, Idaho Power is authorized to adjust rates by ninety-percent (90%) of the 0.2036 cents per kWh difference or 0.1832 cents per kWh.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Idaho Power states that the true-up component of the PCA is -0.0461 cents per kWh. The difference between the projected power cost and the base power cost (0.1832) and the true-up (-0.0461) combine to produce a PCA for the period of May 16, 2000 through May 15, 2001 of 0.1371 cents per kWh.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Idaho Power concludes that the change in the PCA from the existing -0.2143 cents per kWh currently in effect results in an increase of 0.3514 cents per kWh to existing rates.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Idaho Power further contends that this Application is not subject to Rule 122 of the Commission’s Rules of Procedure (IDAPA 31.01.01.122) because this filing does not constitute a general rate increase and is only a change in rates related to PCA expenses.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that pursuant to Rule 123 (IDAPA 31.01.01.123) and Idaho Code §  61-307, Idaho Power requests that the tariff filing implementing the PCA rate of 0.1371 cents per kWh become effective May 16, 2000.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application together with supporting workpapers and exhibits, have been filed with the Commission and are available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission offices.
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 that 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 31.01.01.000 et seq.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has reviewed the filings of record in Case No. IPC-E-00-6. The Commission has preliminarily determined that the public interest may not require a hearing to consider the issues presented and that the issues raised by the Application may be processed under Modified Procedure, i.e., by written submission rather than by hearing. Reference Commission Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission may not hold a hearing in this proceeding unless it receives written protests or comments opposing the use of Modified Procedure and stating why Modified Procedure should not be used. Reference IDAPA 31.01.01.203.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that any person desiring to state a position on this Application may file a written comment in support or opposition with the Commission on or before May 4, 2000. The comment must contain a statement of reasons supporting the comment. Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written comments.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are received within the deadline, the Commission will consider the matter on its merits and enter its Order without a formal hearing. If comments or protests are filed within the deadline, the Commission will consider them and in its discretion may set the matter for hearing or may decide the matter and issue its Order on the basis of the written positions before it. Reference IDAPA 31.01.01.204.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that written comments concerning Case No. IPCE-00-6 should be mailed to the Commission and the Company at the addresses reflected below:

COMMISSION SECRETARY LARRY D. RIPLEY
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION GREGORY W. SAID
PO BOX 83720 IDAHO POWER COMPANY
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074 PO BOX 70
BOISE, IDAHO 83707-0070
Street Address for Express Mail:

472 W WASHINGTON ST
BOISE, IDAHO 83702-5983

All comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application in Case No. IPC-E-00-6 can be reviewed at the Commission’s office and Idaho Power Company’s office during regular business hours.
DONE by Notice of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this
day of April 2000.

DENNIS S. HANSEN, PRESIDENT

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER

PAUL KJELLANDER, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary

O:ipce006_cc

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 28348 -1-

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
April 21, 2000