20051122notice of application order no 29918.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
November 22, 2005
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF IDAHO POWER COMPANY TO
IN CL UD E EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH
ITS CLOUD SEEDING PROGRAM IN THE
COMPANY'S PCA ON AN ONGOING BASIS
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
CASE NO. IPC-O5-
NOTICE OF MODIFIED
PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 29918
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on October 28, 2005, Idaho Power Company
filed an Application for an Order to include its continuing cloud seeding expenses in its annual
Power Cost Adjustment (PCA). Idaho Power has operated a cloud seeding program for several
years, and in December 2004, the Commission approved the Company s request for an Order
authorizing it to defer the variable cloud seeding costs incurred during the 2004-2005 winter.
Idaho Power asserts that the data collected during the past three years demonstrates the
effectiveness of the cloud seeding program. The Company values the additional streamflows
produced by the program and associated benefits at 1.7 times the program costs, which are
approximately $1 million per year.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Idaho Power s Application states that it is
making two specific requests of the Commission: (1) that the Commission allow the Company
to defer the expenses it will incur to continue the cloud seeding program during the winter of
2005-2006, and (2) that the Commission authorize the Company to include the future cloud
seeding program expenses as a part of its PCA rates on an ongoing basis beginning with the
2006-2007 PCA period. The Company is not requesting recovery of its capital investment in the
cloud seeding program but has included that request in its general rate case, Case No. IPC-05-
28. Expenses included in the Company s PCA are shared on a 90%/10% ratio between
customers and shareholders. The Company requested that its Application be processed by
Modified Procedure.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 29918
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. The Commission notes that Modified
Procedure and written comments have proven to be an effective means for obtaining public input
and participation.
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
Monica B. Moen
Idaho Power Company
PO Box 70
Boise, ID 83707-0070
Mail: bkline~idahopower.com
mmoen~idahopower.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~idahopower.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.idaho.gov. Click the "Comments and 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 Idaho Power 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
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 29918
set, the Commission will consider them and, in its discretion, may set the same for formal
hearing.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application and 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 Application and
testimonies and exhibits are also available on the Commission s website at www.puc.idaho.gov
under the "File Room" icon and then "Electric Cases.
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 specifically
Idaho Code ~ 61-503. 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.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Idaho Power Company s request to include expenses
of its cloud seeding program in with the Company s PCA 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.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 29918
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 2.;;"
day of November 2005.
01~" 01:
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ENNIS S. HAN EN, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
Je D. Jewell
Commission Secretary
bls/O:IPC-05-36 ws
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDUREORDER NO. 29918