29112_mod.doc

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF IDAHO POWER COMPANY FOR AUTHORITY TO REVISE DEPOSIT REQUIREMENTS IN SCHEDULES 24 AND 25 (IRRIGATION CUSTOMERS). )
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) CASE NO. IPC-E-02-9

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE

ORDER NO. 29112

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on August 20, 2002, Idaho Power Company filed an Application requesting approval to revise the deposit requirements in Schedules 24 and 25 for electric service to irrigation customers. Currently those schedules allow the Company to collect a deposit from new customers with no credit history, customers with a history of late payments, customers for whom an order for relief has been entered under bankruptcy laws, or for whom a receiver has been appointed in a court proceeding. The Company asserts its proposed revisions will be fairer to customers while furthering the purpose of protecting the Company against losses from unpaid irrigation bills.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Schedules 24 and 25 currently allow the Company to collect a deposit from customers who have two or more late payments of $100 or more during a 12-month period. Idaho Power proposes to change the criteria to allow a deposit from customers having two or more reminder notices for unpaid balances of $100 or more during a 12-month period. Because more customers make late payments than receive reminder notices, the change would allow the collection of deposits from fewer customers. The second change proposed by Idaho Power relates to deposits based on specific installations during previous years. Rather than determine the deposit amount based on the use during the previous year, the Company proposes to base the deposit on the size of the pumps connected for service. The Company explains that the past use of a pump is not necessarily indicative of the use for the upcoming year, since crop rotation and weather conditions may be a larger factor in determining electric use during the upcoming season. Idaho Power asserts that its proposed changes are intended to be dollar neutral in the aggregate. The Company asks that the revisions be implemented for the 2003 irrigation season.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined that the public interest may not require a formal hearing in this matter and will proceed under Modified Procedure pursuant to Rules 201 through 204 of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission's Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.201 through .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 any person desiring to state a position on this Application may file a written comment in support or opposition with the Commission on or before September 30, 2002. The comment must contain a statement of reasons supporting the comment. Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written comments. Written comments concerning this Application shall be mailed to the Commission and the Applicant at the addresses reflected below:

Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074

Street Address for Express Mail:

472 W. Washington Street
Boise, ID 83702-5983 LARRY D. RIPLEY
SENIOR ATTORNEY
IDAHO POWER COMPANY
PO BOX 70
BOISE ID 83707-0070
E-mail: [e-mail]

These 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 "Comments and Questions" icon. Once at the "Comments and Questions" icon, fill in the case number as it appears on the front of this document, and enter your comments. These comments must also be sent to the Applicant at the e-mail address(es) listed above.
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this matter be processed under our rules of Modified Procedure. IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204. Persons interested in commenting in this matter may do so by filing comments with the Commission Secretary no later than September 30, 2002.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this
day of September 2002.

PAUL KJELLANDER, PRESIDENT

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER

DENNIS S. HANSEN, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Jean D. Jewell
Commission Secretary

vld/O:IPCE0209_ws

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 29112 1

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
September 11, 2002