20041103Order No 29622.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
November 3 , 2004
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLI CA TI 0 N
OF IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S REQUEST
FOR AN ACCOUNTING ORDER TO
RECOVER CLOUD SEEDING PROGRAM
EXPENSES FOR THE WINTER OF 2004- 2005.
CASE NO. IPC-04-
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED
PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 29622
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on October 21 2004, Idaho Power Company
filed an Application for an accounting order to allow recovery for costs of its cloud seeding
program for the winter of 2004-2005. The Application states that the Company has operated a
cloud seeding program for a number of years and that the Commission did not allow recovery of
its expenses in the Company s recent rate case. The Company filed with its Application
additional information that it asserts demonstrates scientifically measured benefits of the
Company s cloud seeding program during the winter of 2003-2004. Noting that the Company
has funded two years of cloud seeding without any cost recovery, the Application states Idaho
Power would like to be able to recover its costs associated with continuing its program during the
winter of 2004-2005.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Idaho Power is not asking the Commission to
defer expenditures associated with the cloud seeding program on a long-term basis, but
requesting only that the Commission authorize the Company to defer the expenses associated
with the program during the upcoming winter. The Company estimates those costs to be
approximately $950 000, which the Company proposes to capture "on the same ninety percent-
ten percent (90%/10%) ratio by which other power supply expenses are shared between
customers and shareholders in the PCA.Idaho Power included with its Application prefiled
direct testimony to provide additional information on the results of its cloud seeding program.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application together with supporting
workpapers, testimonies and exhibits , have been filed with the Commission and are available for
public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission offices. The AppliGation and
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 29622
testimonies (excluding exhibits) are also available on the Commission Website at
www.puc.state.id.under the "File Room" icon.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held
pursuant to the Commission s jurisdiction under Title 61 of the Idaho Code and that the
Commission may enter any final Order consistent with its authority under Title 61.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be
conducted pursuant to the Commission s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
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, IDAP A 31.01.01.201 through .204.
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 within
twenty-one (21) days from the service date of this Notice. 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 Idaho Power at the addresses reflected below:
Street Address for Express Mail:
Barton L. Kline, Senior Attorney
Monica B. Moen, Attorney
Idaho Power Company
PO Box 70
Boise, ID 83707-0070
Mail: bkline(~jdahopower.con1
mmoen(fYidahopower. com
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
472 W. Washington Street
Boise, ID 83702-5983 Gregory W. Said
Director of Revenue Requirement
Idaho Power Company
PO Box 70
Boise, ID 83707-0070
Mail: gsaid(fYidahopower.com
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 home page located at www.puc.state.id.Click the "Comments and
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 29622
Questions" icon, and complete the comment form, using the case number as it appears on the
front of this document. These comments must also be sent to the Applicant at the e-mail
addresses listed above.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are
received within the time limit set, the Commission will consider this matter on its merits and
enter its Order without a formal hearing. If written comments are received within the time limit
set, the Commission will consider them and, in its discretion, may set the same for formal
hearing.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Application of Idaho Power for an accounting
order to allow recovery for costs of its cloud seeding program for the winter of 2004-2005 be
processed by Modified Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204. Persons interested in submitting
written comments in this matter must do so no later than 21 days from the service date of this
Order.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this .J. tvf2
day of November 2004.
, PRESIDENT
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:~D-
. D. Jewell
Commission Secretary
bls/O:ipce0424 - ws
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 29622