20060418notice_of_modified_procedure_order_no_30023.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
April 18, 2006
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF IDAHO POWER COMPANY FOR
AUTHORITY TO CONTINUE ITS TIME-OF- )
USE ENERGY PRICING PILOT PROGRAMS
CASE NO. IPC-06-
NOTICE OF MODIFIED
PROCED URE
NOTICE OF COMMENT/
PROTEST DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 30023
On March 3 , 2006, Idaho Power Company filed an Application for authority to
continue its two time-of-use energy pricing pilot programs for customers in the Emmett Valley.
The pilot programs were approved in March 2005 and initially set to expire on April 1, 2006.
Order No. 29737, Case No. IPC-05-2. The Company proposed to extend the programs for an
additional year, allowing those that participated in 2005 to continue if they so desire and also
soliciting new participants. The Company also proposed some changes to the availability of the
programs and the differential in rates for the time-of day pricing periods.
On March 15, 2006, the Commission authorized the programs to continue past the
April I expiration. Order No. 30001. With this Order the Commission authorizes the use of
Modified Procedure and sets a deadline for the submission of Comments.
THE APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the current pilot programs, Schedule 4, Energy
Watch Pilot Program, and Schedule 5 , Time-of-Use Pilot Program, were approved in March
2005 to run through April 1 , 2006. Order No. 29737, Case No. IPC-05-2. The Company
seeks to extend and continue the programs for an additional year. The programs are voluntary
options available to all residential customers in the Emmett Valley who have AMR metering
installed.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Idaho Power employed Northwest Research
Group to conduct a customer survey and RL W Analytics to analyze the usage and billing data
associated with these programs. The Company states in its Application that the detailed results
of these pilot programs will be included in the Company s report to the Commission, to be
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT/PROTEST DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 30023
submitted on or before April 2006 in compliance with Order No. 29737. Application at 2.
This report was submitted on March 29, 2006, and is on file with the Commission in Case No.
IPC-05-
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company reports that a preliminary
evaluation of the programs shows that the participant retention rate was high. The Energy Watch
program began with 79 participants and retained 76 by the end of August 2005. The Time-of-
Day program began with 95 participants and retained 92. Application at 3. Preliminary results
suggest that on average customers benefited by participating in the programs. Id Time-of-Day
participants, on average, saved about 5 percent on their bills and Energy Watch participants, on
average, saved about 10 percent on their bills when compared with control groups with similar
usage taking service under Schedule 1. Id The Company states that the energy load shift, or
decrease in usage, for the Time-of-Day participants, although apparent, was not statistically
significant. Id The Energy Watch participants, on average, demonstrated a statistically
significant demand reduction during the Energy Watch hours, reducing their household demand
by 1.33 kW for all Energy Watch hours. Id Additionally, the Company reports that preliminary
evaluation of the customer survey indicates: participants were satisfied with the programs; 60%
of those responding indicated they would participate again; and 50% responded that they would
recommend these programs to others.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company is not proposing any changes
to the Energy Watch program, Schedule 4. Application at 5. The Company is proposing a
change in the availability of both pilot programs, in that program participation be limited to those
customers whose energy usage equals or exceeds 300 kWh for each of the most recent 12
consecutive billing periods or for all billing periods if the customer has less than 12 months of
billing history. Application at 4. The Company is proposing to change the rates for the time-of
day pricing periods by increasing the price differential between on-peak, off-peak, and mid-peak
rates. Application at 7. By increasing the differentials between time-of-day pricing periods, the
Company intends to increase the financial incentive for customers to shift their energy usage.
Along with its Application the Company filed proposed tariff sheets for both Schedule 4 and
Schedule 5 that provide for the continuation and changes to the pilot programs.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT/PROTEST DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 30023
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Commission has reviewed the filings of
record in this case. The Commission has preliminarily determined that the public interest may
not require a hearing to consider the issues presented in this case and that issues raised by the
Company s filing may be processed under Modified Procedure , by written submission
rather than by hearing. IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204. In so doing, the Commission notes that
Modified Procedure and written comment have proven to be an effective means for obtaining
public input and participation.
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. ID AP A 31.01.01.203.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no protests or written comments are
received within the deadline, the Commission will consider the matter and enter its Order
without a hearing. If protests or comments are filed within the deadline, the Commission will
consider them and may, in its discretion, set the matter for hearing or decide the matter and issue
its Order on the basis of the written positions before it. IDAPA 31.01.01.204.
NOTICE OF COMMENT/PROTEST DEADLINE
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the deadline for filing written comments or
protests with respect to the Company s filings and the Commission s use of Modified Procedure
in this case is May 1, 2006. Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing in
their written protests or comments.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that written comments concerning Case No. IPC-
06-5 should be mailed to the Commission and to Idaho Power at the addresses reflected below.
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
Barton L. Kline
Maggie Brilz
Idaho Power Company
PO Box 70
Boise, ID 83707-0070
Street Address For Express Mail:
472 W. Washington Street
Boise, ID 83702-5983
E-mail: bkline~idahopower.com
mbrilz~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
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT/PROTEST DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 30023
Commission s homepage 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 the Applicant at the e-mail addresses listed
above.
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 ~ 61-129, 328, 501-503, 507 , 523 , 524. 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, IDAP A 31.01.01.000 et seq.
FINDINGS/CONCLUSIONS
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has jurisdiction over Idaho Power Company,
its Application, and the issues involved in this case by virtue of Title 61 , Idaho Code, including
Idaho Code ~~ 61-129 , 328, 501-503 , 507, 523 , 524, and the Commission s Rules of Procedure
IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
The Commission has preliminarily determined that the public interest may not
require a hearing to consider the issues presented in this case, and that issues raised by the
Company s filing may be processed under Modified Procedure , by written submission
rather than by hearing. IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204. In so doing, the Commission notes that
Modified Procedure and written comments have proven to be an effective means for obtaining
public input and participation.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this case be processed under Modified Procedure.
Persons interested in submitting written comments regarding this case or protesting the use
Modified Procedure must do so no later than May 1 , 2006.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT/PROTEST DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 30023
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this
/ ~~
day of April 2006.
tJ~
RSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSION"
IS S. HANSEN, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
O:IPC-O6-05 dw2
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT/PROTEST DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 30023