20020503Ripley Letter.doc

May 3, 2002

VIA FACSIMILE

Larry Ripley
Senior Attorney
Idaho Power Company
PO Box 70
Boise, ID 83707-0070

RE: Case Nos. IPC-E-02-2/-3

Dear Mr. Ripley:

In the current Securitization case (No. IPC-E-02-2), the Company seeks authority to securitize approximately $160 million in power purchase costs and load-reduction program costs. Idaho Code § 61-503(7) provides that the Commission shall approve or disapprove your Application for an energy costs financing Order within 45 days of the date of the Application. As you are aware, the Commission Staff and the Company have already stipulated to an extension of that 45-day period until May 9, 2002.

Due to circumstances beyond the Commission’s control, it may be necessary to extend the deadline for issuing the Commission’s Order by about two business days, or no later than the close of business on May 13, 2002. Although the Commission is diligently working to issue its Order no later than May 9, a Commissioner illness and other business commitments may necessitate a limited extension.

Please advise me if the Company is agreeable an extension, if necessary, until May 13, 2002.

Sincerely,

Donald L. Howell, II
Deputy Attorney General

cc: Jean Jewell
Lisa Nordstrom

bls/L:IPCE022_3_dh