20070315final_order_no_30274.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
March 15 2007
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF IDAHO POWER
COMPANY'S PETITION FOR AN
EXEMPTION OF SPECIFIC ACCOUNTS
FROM THE COMPANY'S RULE C
PROVISIONS REGARDING AGGREGATED
METER READING
ORDER NO. 30274
CASE NO. IPC-07-
On January 23 2007, Idaho Power Company filed a Petition requesting an exemption
for specific accounts from the Company s Rule C provisions regarding aggregated meter
reading. On February 14, 2007, the Commission issued a Notice of Petition and Modified
Procedure and established a comment deadline of March 7, 2007. The only party to file
comments was the Commission Staff, recommending approval of the Company s request. With
this Order the Commission approves the Company s request as more fully set forth below.
THE PETITION
Rule C states that where a customer has more than one delivery point or separate
meters at a single premises, the meter readings will not be combined or aggregated for any
purpose except for determining if the customer s total power requirements exceed 25 000 kW.
The Company requested an exemption from Rule C's aggregated meter reading provision to
allow bills for specific large accounts to be prepared by combining the readings from multiple
meters. The Company stated that this would allow it to accommodate the electric requirements
of some of its larger customers, where multiple meters at the same premises are the most cost-
effective and optimal means to design the distribution facilities necessary to provide the
customer s requested level of service.
The Company stated it currently has 13 accounts where aggregated billing would
provide the best, most cost-effective service. Those accounts are:
Amalgamated Sugar (Paul)
American Micro Systems (Pocatello)
Kinross Delamar (Murphy)
Lamb Weston (Twin Falls)
McCain Foodservice (Burley)
Micron Fab B (Nampa)
Micron Nano Fab (Boise - anticipated to be online 4/1/07)
ORDER NO. 30274
Mountain Home Air Force Base (Mountain Home)
Irrigation Customers:
Grindstone Butte: Header 746, Pump 05s 0ge 3403 (Glenns Ferry)
Grindstone Butte: Header 744, Pump 05s 0ge 3405 (Glenns Ferry)
Farm Dev. Corp. (Sailor Creek): Header 745 , Pump 05s 0ge 3404 (Glenns Ferry)
Magic Water Corp. (Buhl)
West End Project (Melba)
The Company stated that the customers of the above referenced accounts received a letter and a
personal contact from Idaho Power explaining the Company s intention to file this Petition
seeking an exemption from Rule C, and that no customer has objected.
Additionally, the Company requested that the Commission authorize an abbreviated
procedure in which the Company could add more customers to the list of those exempt from
Rule C's aggregated meter reading provisions. The Company requested that rather than filing
separate petitions requesting exemptions, the Commission authorize it to forward the customer
name, city location, and an explanation of why aggregation is appropriate to the Commission for
review. The Company proposed that, unless the Commission has an objection, the customer
would then be added to the list of customers exempt from Rule C as it is applied to aggregated
meter readings.
ST AFF COMMENTS
Staff reviewed the Company s Petition, met with Company representatives, and
recommended that the Commission approve the Company s request. Staff stated that under the
current rate schedules, aggregating the meter readings does not appear to impact the amount the
customer is charged for service. It is possible that under different rate structures, specifically
those that vary the amount charged for peak demand by time of use, aggregating the meter
readings would impact the amount the customer is billed. Consequently, Staff recommended
that customers affected by this exemption be granted the flexibility to request and receive
separate billings if they so desire.
ORDER NO. 30274
DISCUSSION/FINDINGS
We have reviewed the record for this case, including the Petition and comments. No
protests to the Commission s use of Modified Procedure were filed. We continue to find that the
public interest does not require a hearing to consider the issues presented in this case and that
Modified Procedure is appropriate. IDAPA 31.01.01.204. The Commission has jurisdiction
over Idaho Power, its Petition for an exemption from Rule C of its tariff, and the issues involved
in this case by virtue of Title 61 , Idaho Code, specifically Idaho Code ~~ 61-129, 61-119, 61-
301 61-302 61-303 61-305 61-307 61-501 61-502, and 61-503 , and the Commission s Rules
of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
We find the requested exemption to be reasonable. Under the present rate structure
the change to aggregated meter reading for the 13 accounts identified in the Petition appears not
to change what those accounts will be billed. It appears that the requested exemption is merely a
matter of administrative convenience and efficiency for the Company. It is our understanding
that each of the affected customers was contacted regarding this change/exemption and that none
of them objected. Should the affected customers, for whatever reason, wish to go back to
individual meter readings (non-aggregated) they are allowed to do so.
Additionally, we find the Company s proposed abbreviated procedure for adding
additional customers to those exempt from Rule C's aggregated meter reading provisions to be
reasonable, and approve the same. The Company will forward the customer s name, location
and explanation of why aggregation is appropriate to the Commission for review prior to
aggregating the meters. The Commission Staff shall notify the Commission if it has an objection
to the customer proposed for aggregation.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Idaho Power Company s Petition for an exemption
of specific accounts from the Company s Rule C provisions regarding aggregated meter reading
is granted. Future exemptions to Rule C regarding aggregated meter reading may be handled as
outlined above.
THIS IS A FINAL ORDER. Any person interested in this Order may petition for
reconsideration within twenty-one (21) days of the service date of this Order with regard to any
matter decided in this Order. Within seven (7) days after any person has petitioned for
ORDER NO. 30274
reconsideration, any other person may cross-petition for reconsideration. See Idaho Code ~ 61-
626.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this
day of March 2007.
PAUL KJELLANDER, PRESIDENT
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
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~mission Secretary
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ORDER NO. 30274