modproc.app.doc

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

in the matter of THE APPLICATION OF IDAHO POWER COMPANY TO AMEND SCHEDULE 72—INTERCONNECTIONS TO NON-UTILITY GENERATION. )
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) CASE NO. IPC-E-01-38

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE

NOTICE OF COMMENT/PROTEST DEADLINE

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on November 9, 2001, Idaho Power Company (Idaho Power; Company) filed an Application with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (Commission) requesting approval of proposed amendments to the Company’s existing tariff Schedule 72—Interconnections to Non-Utility Generation.
BACKGROUND
On April 12, 1991, the Commission issued Order No. 23631 approving the current tariff Schedule 72. Since approval of Schedule 72 in 1991, Idaho Power states that it has continued to review its generation interconnection practices and has determined that it would be beneficial to modify Schedule 72 to bring the Schedule into conformance with current standards of best utility practices for non-utility generation interconnection. The purpose of these proposed changes, the Company states, is to provide a template for non-utility generation interconnection that provides a safe, economic and reliable interconnection while at the same time ensuring that Idaho Power’s other customers do not subsidize the costs associated with non-utility generation interconnections.
Description of Changes
Idaho Power is proposing to modify Schedule 72 to update its standards and practices for interconnection of non-utility generation to correspond with current standards for best utility practices. Over the years, Idaho Power states that it has gained substantial experience in interconnecting both small and large non-utility generating facilities. Idaho Power’s experience gained by interconnecting non-utility generation projects of varying sizes from the extremely small (300 watts) to the moderately large (10 MW) has led Idaho Power to propose that Schedule 72 be amended to accommodate a range of interconnection requirements with increasing levels of sophistication depending on the size of the generating facility. As a result, the Company is proposing a simple interconnection process for net metering projects, and a more streamlined and simple interconnection process for projects 100 kWs and smaller. Projects greater than 100 kWs and less than 1 MW and projects 1 MW and greater will be required to comply with more complex interconnection standards. Reference Application Attachment 1.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has reviewed the filings of record in Case No. IPC-E-01-38. The Commission has preliminarily determined that the public interest regarding the Company’s proposed amendments to Tariff Schedule 72 may not require a hearing to consider the issues presented, and that 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 the deadline for filing written comments or protests with respect to the Application and the Commission’s use of Modified Procedure in Case No. IPC-E-01-38 is Friday, December 21, 2001. Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written protests or comments.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are received within the deadline, the Commission will consider the issue 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 based on the written positions before it. Reference IDAPA 31.01.01.204.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that written comments concerning Case No. IPCE-01-38 should be mailed to the Commission and the Company at the addresses reflected below.

COMMISSION SECRETARY
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074

Street Address for Express Mail:

472 W WASHINGTON ST
BOISE, ID 83702-5983 BARTON L KLINE
SENIOR ATTORNEY
IDAHO POWER COMPANY
PO BOX 70
BOISE ID 83707-0070
E-Mail: [e-mail]

Street Address for Express Mail
1221 WEST IDAHO STREET
BOISE, ID 83702

And

MAGGIE BRILZ
DIRECTOR OF PRICING
IDAHO POWER COMPANY
PO BOX 70
BOISE ID 83707-0070
E-Mail: [e-mail]

Street Address for Express Mail
1221 WEST IDAHO STREET
BOISE, ID 83702

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 homepage located at www.puc.state.id.us under the heading “Contact Us.” Once at the “Contact Us” page, select “Email Case Comments or Questions,” fill in the case number as it appears on the front of this document, and enter your comments. These comments should also be sent to the applicant at the e-mail addresses listed above.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application in Case No. IPC-E-01-38 can be reviewed at the Commission’s office and at the principal office of Idaho Power Company during regular business hours
DATED at Boise, Idaho this day of November 2001.

Jean D. Jewell
Commission Secretary
vld/N:IPC-E-01-38_sw

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT/PROTEST DEADLINE 1

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
November 23, 2001