20011116Decision Memo.doc

DECISION MEMORANDUM

TO: COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER SMITH
COMMISSIONER HANSEN
JEAN JEWELL
RON LAW
LOUANN WESTERFIELD
TONYA CLARK
DON HOWELL
LYNN ANDERSON
DAVE SCHUNKE
RICK STERLING
RANDY LOBB
GENE FADNESS
WORKING FILE
FROM:
DATE:
NOVEMBER 16, 2001 RE: CASE NO. IPC-E-01-38 (Idaho Power)
AMENDMENT TO TARIFF SCHEDULE 72—INTERCONNECTIONS TO NON-UTILITY GENERATION

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.
Commission Decision
The Company and Staff recommend that the Application in Case No. IPC-E-01-38 be processed pursuant to Modified Procedure, i.e., by written submission rather than by hearing. Reference Commission Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204. Does the Commission agree with the proposed procedure? If not, what is the Commission’s preference?

vld/M:IPC-E-01-38_sw

DECISION MEMORANDUM 2