28660.noh.doc

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF IDAHO POWER COMPANY FOR AUTHORITY TO ACQUIRE REDUCTIONS IN ELECTRICAL DEMAND AND ASSOCIATED CONSUMPTION OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY FROM ITS IRRIGATION CUSTOMERS.
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CASE NO. IPC-E-01-3

NOTICE OF HEARING

ORDER NO. 28660
BACKGROUND
On February 7, 2001, Idaho Power Company filed an Application seeking Commission authorization to conduct a program (“Program”) to solicit competitive offers from its irrigation customers to reduce their electrical demand and associated consumption of electrical energy during the 2001 growing season. A preliminary hearing was held on this Application on February 14, 2001, after which the Commission issued Order No. 28647 approving Idaho Power’s Program in concept so that the Company could solicit competitive bids from irrigation customers. However, the Commission reserved final approval on the Program so that it could gather and receive information to determine whether the Program would provide benefits to Idaho ratepayers. Accordingly, the Commission ordered Idaho Power to make a subsequent filing on or before March 9, 2001 requesting authorization to proceed with its Program. Order No. 28647 at 7. The Company was ordered to include in this filing as presented in the bids to irrigators: the amount of kWh proposed to be purchased, the associated number of acres to be taken out of production by county, the average price per kWh that the Company would pay irrigators, the maximum price the Company proposes to accept and the monthly energy prices in the forward market for the 2001 irrigation season. Id. The Commission also ordered Idaho Power to file a confidential report showing projected loads and resources by month during the irrigation season with and without the proposed Program. Id.
In an effort to obtain opinions from interested persons and parties about this Program the Commission found that it was also appropriate to accept comments from interested persons and parties about any issues surrounding Idaho Power’s proposal. Comments were required to be filed on or before February 28, 2001, and reply comments were to be filed no later than March 5, 2001.

After receiving the Company’s filing and any comments the Commission determined that it would be able to make a more informed decision on the impact of the Program and whether it will be beneficial for Idaho ratepayers. Id.at 6.
COMMISSION FINDINGS
Several interested persons and parties have commented on this Program. Furthermore, the Commission anticipates that Idaho Power will make its subsequent filing in the near future. Accordingly, the Commission finds it appropriate to set this matter for hearing for further review of the Program.
NOTICE OF HEARING
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Commission will convene a public hearing in Case No. IPC-E-01-3 on TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2001 AT 9:30 A.M. IN THE HEARING ROOM OF THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION, 472 W. WASHINGTON, BOISE, IDAHO [phone]. The Commission will receive testimony and comments in regards to lost revenues, cost effectiveness of the Program and any other concerns interested persons or parties may have.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has jurisdiction over this matter and Idaho Power Company, an electric utility, pursuant to the authority and power granted under Title 61 of the Idaho Code and the Commission’s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all hearings will be conducted pursuant to the Rules of Procedure adopted by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all hearings and prehearing conferences in this matter will be held in facilities meeting the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In order to participate, understand testimony and argument at a public hearing, persons needing the help of a sign language interpreter or other assistance may ask the Commission to provide a sign language interpreter or other assistance as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act. 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, ID 83720-0074
[phone] (TELEPHONE)
[phone] (TEXT TELEPHONE)
[phone] (FAX)
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Commission will conduct a hearing to review whether Idaho Power’s Program shall continue and to receive testimony and comments in regards to lost revenues, cost effectiveness of the Program and any other concerns interested persons or parties may have on Tuesday, March 13, 2001, at 9:30 a.m. in the Hearing Room of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, 472 W. Washington, Boise, Idaho.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho, this
day of March 2001.

DENNIS S. HANSEN, PRESIDENT

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER

PAUL KJELLANDER, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Jean D. Jewell
Commission Secretary

O:ipce013_jh2

NOTICE OF HEARING
ORDER NO. 28660 -1-

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
March 5, 2001