20080701notice_of_status_conference_order_no_30588.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
July 1 2008
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPROPRIATE
DISPOSITION OF IDAHO POWER
COMPANY'S S02 EMISSION PROCEEDS
TO FUND AN ENERGY EDUCATION
PROPOSAL
NOTICE OF
ST A TUS CO NFEREN CE
CASE NO. IPC-08-
ORDER NO. 30588
On April 14, 2008, the Commission issued Order No. 30529 concerning the
appropriate disposition of the proceeds from the sale of Idaho Power Company s sulfur dioxide
(S02) emission allowances in calendar year 2007. In its Order, the Commission reserved
$500 000 of the S02 proceeds to potentially fund an energy education proposal offered by the
Idaho Energy Education Project (IEEP or the "Project"). Although IEEP provided the basic
structure of its proposal, the Commission found that the Project "did not provide sufficient detail
for us to fully evaluate its merits.Order No. 30529 at 9. IEEP was ordered to provide
additional information within 14 days so that the Commission could review the merits of the
education proposal.
On April 28, 2008, IEEP filed supplemental information and observed that there "
still work to be done" in fully developing the educational proposal. On June 2, 2008, the
Commission issued Order No. 30557 and found that "additional work needs to be accomplished
before any energy-related educational proposal or specific project can be endorsed by the
Commission.Order No. 30557 at 3. Consequently, the Commission continued to reserve
judgment on the appropriate disposition of the $500 000. The Commission also decided to
convene a subsequent Status Conference that would "allow IEEP and other interested parties to
advise the Commission" regarding the status of the energy educational proposal.
BACKGROUND
A. The Educational Proposal
The history of this case is generally set forth in our prior Order Nos. 30529 and
30557. Briefly, IEEP recommended that a portion of the S02 proceeds (in Case No. IPC-07-
18) be utilized for energy education and associated project grants. In particular, IEEP proposed
that $250 000 be used for energy education in the classroom (addressing energy conservation and
NOTICE OF STATUS CONFERENCE
ORDER NO. 30588
efficiency) and $250 000 be used for grants to participating schools for the construction of
renewable and energy efficiency projects. The grants for energy facilities would accompany the
educational component and be limited to schools served by Idaho Power.
B. Procedural History
In Order No. 30529, IEEP was directed to provide the Commission with a
course/classroom syllabus and additional information regarding any arrangements with school
districts and/or state agencies. Order No. 30529 at 9. In its response, IEEP described the
structural framework for its proposed educational project. IEEP proposed to develop an energy
education curriculum using existing materials. IEEP indicated that it will "partner" with other
entities to acquire, review, develop, and implement the proposed educational project. IEEP
invited the Idaho Department of Education (DOE), the Idaho Office of Energy Resources (OER),
and Idaho Power to assist in the development and implementation of the proposal. IEEP
envisioned that DOE would become the primary manager of the educational component; OER
would provide expertise on renewables, energy conservation, and efficiency opportunities; and
Idaho Power would provide information about its integrated electrical system and the importance
of energy conservation and efficiency.
In Order No. 30557, the Commission found that IEEP's response was not sufficiently
developed. Although IEEP had initiated contact with several entities, it did not produce any
agreement among the potential parties to implement the proposal. Consequently, the
Commission decided to convene a subsequent Status Conference so that
IEEP and other interested parties (can) advise the Commission of progress in
relevant communications and stipulate whether there is, or can be, a consensus
organizational structure that will support moving forward (with the
educational proposal). There is no designated lead party for the status
conference. The Commission continues to reserve judgment on the
appropriate disposition of the $500 000.
Order No. 30557 at 3.
NOTICE OF STATUS CONFERENCE
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Commission shall convene a Status
Conference in this matter on WEDNESDAY. JULY 16. 2008. AT 1:30 P.M. IN THE
COMMISSION'S HEARING ROOM. 472 WEST WASHINGTON STREET. BOISE.
IDAHO. [phone] The purpose of the Status Conference is to allow IEEP and other
NOTICE OF STATUS CONFERENCE
ORDER NO. 30588
interested parties to advise the Commission of their respective positions and the status of the
educational proposal.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all hearings and conferences in this matter
will be held in facilities meeting the accessibility requirements of the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA). Persons needing the help of a sign language interpreter or other
assistance in order to participate in or to understand testimony and argument at a public hearing
may ask the Commission to provide a sign language interpreter or other assistance at the hearing.
The request for assistance must be received at least five (5) working days before the hearing by
contacting the Commission Secretary at:
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
[phone] (Telephone)
[phone] (FAX)
E- Mail: secretary(fYpuc.idaho. gov
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that IEEP's response and other documents in this
matter are available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission
offices. The documents and other materials in this case are also available on the Commission
website at www.puc.idaho.gov under "File Room" 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 ~~ 61-316, 61-502 61-503 61-523 , and 61-524. 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, IDAPA 31.01.01.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that IEEP and other interested parties shall advise the
Commission of their positions and status of the educational proposal.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Commission continues to reserve judgment on
the appropriateness of using $500 000 of the SO2 proceeds for energy education purposes,
NOTICE OF STATUS CONFERENCE
ORDER NO. 30588
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this s1-
day of July 2008.
ATTEST:
f('~ g1je D. Jewell
Commission Secretary
bls/O:IPC-08-11 dh
NOTICE OF STATUS CONFERENCE
ORDER NO. 30588
MACK A. REDFORD, PRESIDENT
Out of the Office on this Date
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
=f2I JI . KEMPT , C MISSIONER