20050404Press Release.pdf

IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Case No. IPC-05-10, Order No. 29748
April 4, 2005
Contact: Gene Fadness [phone]
Website: www.puc.idaho.2ov
Idaho Power seeks recovery of Bennett Mountain costs
Boise - Idaho Power Co. is seeking authority to increase its rate base to include $58 million in
costs to construct the Bennett Mountain natural gas plant near Mountain Home.
The change to base rates would be a 1.8 percent increase if costs for the Bennett Mountain Power
Plant were approved by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. However, the company is asking
that any change in customer rates be effective June 1 when the company s annual power cost
adjustment (PCA) is included in rates. When combined with the PCA, the overall change in
customer rates after June 1 may be greater or less than 1.8 percent.
The Bennett Mountain plant is a 162-megawatt natural gas-fired plant near Mountain Home that
is expected to be in operation by June 1. It is designed to help the company meet peak electrical
demand, particularly during the summer months. The plant required an investment of $50.
million to build, which is under the commitment estimate of $54 million made to the commission
before the plant was built. In addition, the company maintains it invested $7.7 million for
transmission upgrades and to interconnect the plant with the transmission grid. Recovery of the
total $58 million in customer rates would require an increase to Idaho Power s annual revenue
requirement of $9.4 million, according to the company.
The commission will proceed under a modified procedure that allows this case to be handled
through written public comments rather than by public hearing. Those wishing to submit
comments must do so by no later than May 6. Comments are accepted via e-mail by accessing
the commission s homepage at www.puc.idaho.gov and clicking on "Comments & Questions." Fill
in the case number (IPC-05-l0) and enter your comments. Comments can also be mailed to
O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 or faxed to [phone].
A full text of the commission s order, along with other documents related to this case, are
available on the commission s Web site. Click on "File Room" and then on "Electric Cases" and
scroll down to the above case number.