29023_oa.doc

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF IDAHO POWER COMPANY FOR AN ACCOUNTING ORDER AUTHORIZING THE INCLUSION OF POWER SUPPLY EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE PURCHASE OF CAPACITY AND ENERGY FROM GARNET ENERGY, LLC IN THE COMPANY’S POWER COST ADJUSTMENT (PCA). )
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CASE NO. IPC-E-01-42

NOTICE OF ORAL ARGUMENT

ORDER NO. 29023

On December 14, 2001, Idaho Power Company (Idaho Power; Company) filed an Application with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (Commission) in Case No. IPC-E-01-42. The Company requests a Commission Order approving as prudent its power purchase arrangements with Garnet Energy LLC, an unregulated affiliate of Idaho Power. The Company also seeks an accounting order authorizing Idaho Power to include the prudently incurred expenses associated with the purchase of capacity and energy from Garnet Energy LLC in the Company’s Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) mechanism.
Pursuant to Notice issued March 8, 2002, the following scheduling and hearing dates were established in Case No. IPC-E-01-42:
March 22, 2002 Prefile deadline IPCo supplemental direct testimony
May 24, 2002 Prefile deadline Staff/Intervenor direct testimony
June 14, 2002 Prefile deadline Company rebuttal
June 26 (27, 28), 2002 Technical (and public) hearing

On April 17, 2002, Idaho Power issued a press release captioned “Idaho Power Advises Garnet It Wants a One Year Delay in Power Plant Construction.” In its Notice the Company advises the public that the Company had exercised its “option to delay” the guaranteed commercial operation date of Garnet until June 1, 2005. Reference Power Purchase Agreement ¶ 4.4.1.
On April 23, 2002, the intervenor Idaho Rural Council/Citizens for Responsible Land Use (IRC/CFRLU) filed a Motion and supporting brief with the Commission requesting that the scheduled prefile dates and hearing in Case No. IPC-E-01-42 be vacated and rescheduled. The Intervenor seeks to defer scheduling in the case for a period of at least 90 days.
The Commission Staff in an Answer filed April 25th supports the Intervenor’s Motion. The SouthWest Idaho SouthEast Oregon Building and Trades Council filed a Statement of Non-opposition.
Idaho Power in “Response in Opposition” filed April 25 and brief filed May 1 contends that the Company would be adversely affected by a delay in the current agreed upon schedule. Also filing in opposition to the Motion is Garnet Energy.

On May 6, 2002, IRC/CFRLU and the Commission Staff filed Reply Comments to Idaho Power’s (and Garnet’s) “Response in Opposition.” On May 7, 2002, Idaho Power filed a Request for Oral Argument.
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Commission has considered IRC/ CFRLU’s Motion to Vacate/Reschedule and related filings and finds it reasonable to set this matter for Oral Argument on Friday, May 10, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. at the Commission Hearing Room, 472 West Washington, Boise, Idaho.
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED and the Commission does hereby adopt the foregoing scheduling for Oral Argument on Idaho Rural Council/Citizens for Responsible Land Use’s Motion to Vacate and Reschedule prefile and hearing dates in Case No. IPC-E-01-42.

DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this _______ day of May 2002.

PAUL KJELLANDER, PRESIDENT

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER

DENNIS S. HANSEN, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Jean D. Jewell
Commission Secretary

vld/O:IPEE0142_sw3

NOTICE OF ORAL ARGUMENT
ORDER NO. 29023 1

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
May 8, 2002