20030319Order No 29210.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
March 19, 2003
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE INVESTIGATION OF)
TIME-OF -USE PRICING FOR IDAHO POWER)RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS. CASE NO. IPC-02-
ORDER NO. 29210
In Order No. 29126 issued on February 21 2003 , the Commission declined to authorize
residential time-of-use rates for Idaho Power customers at that time. However, the Commission
directed Idaho Power Company to begin replacing its existing revenue metering equipment as soon
as possible with an automated meter reading (AMR) system. Anticipating the replacement process
could be complete by the end of 2004, the Commission ordered Idaho Power to submit an
implementation plan no later than March 20 2003. On March 12 2003, Idaho Power Company filed
a Petition to Stay that portion of Order No. 29196 requiring the Company to submit the advanced
meter implementation plan by the March 20 deadline. In this Order, we grant the Company
Petition for Stay.
THE PETITION
Idaho Power requested the stay to allow for an opportunity to address its concerns with
the AMR deployment prior to being required to file the AMR implementation plan required by Order
No. 29196. Because there were no hearings conducted in this case, Idaho Power stated that it has
been unable to express its concerns relating to the replacement of the Company s existing revenue
metering equipment with an AMR system. Idaho Power outlined those concerns in its Petition for
Reconsideration, which the Company filed concurrently with its Request for Stay. The Petition for
Reconsideration identified numerous AMR deployment issues that Idaho Power believes the
Commission should address in a formal hearing either before or after issuing a final Order. Idaho
Power stated that a hearing would give all parties an opportunity to present facts and evidence on the
record for consideration by the Commission.
Idaho Power predicted the advanced meter implementation plan required by Order No.
29196 will require substantial time, effort and resources to prepare. In addition, many of the issues
the Company identified in its Petition for Reconsideration are issues that the Company would need to
ORDER NO. 29210
address in the required implementation plan. Thus, Idaho Power requested the Commission consider
this Petition for Stay on an expedited basis pursuant to Rule 256 and issue an Order suspending
Idaho Power s obligation to file an AMR implementation plan by March 20 2003.
DISCUSSION
Based upon our review of the Company s Petitions for Stay and Reconsideration, we
believe it is appropriate and reasonable to stay that portion of Order No. 29196 requiring the
Company to submit the advanced meter implementation plan by the March 20 deadline. We do so
without fully deciding the merits of issues raised in the Company s Petition for Reconsideration.
This will allow the Company, interested parties, and the Commission additional time to consider the
substantive and procedural issues raised in the Company s Petition for Reconsideration. It makes
little sense to require the filing of an AMR implementation plan now if the Commission s AMR
findings may subsequently change following presentation of additional evidence in any further
proceedings that may be authorized by the Commission.
Pursuant to Commission Rules of Procedure Rule 256, IDAPA 31.01.01.256, the
Commission may grant a motion on fewer than 14 days notice when all parties have received actual
notice ofthe motion by telephone or personal delivery of the motion, or continued efforts are being
made to reach those parties who have not been contacted. Idaho Power represented that its legal
counsel personally contacted Ms. Nordstrom of the IPUC Staff, Mr. Eddie of Advocates for the
West, and Mr. Delurey from DRAM and advised them that the Company had filed this Petition and
was requesting an expedited Order. We find that the Company has adequately complied with Rule
256 and that no party will be unduly prejudiced by staying the filing requirement of Order No. 29196
pending resolution of the issues raised in the Company s Petition for Reconsideration.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Idaho Power Company s Petition to Stay that portion of
Order No. 29196 requiring the Company to submit an advanced meter implementation plan by the
March 20 deadline is granted. This filing requirement is stayed indefinitely until the Commission
can further examine the substantive and procedural issues raised in the Company s Petition for
Reconsideration.
ORDER NO. 29210
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho, this Ifj'flo.
day of March 2003.
t21~~
PAUL KJELLANDER, PRESIDENT
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ENNIS S. HANS N, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
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Commission Secretary
O:IPCE0212 In3
ORDER NO. 29210