20081211notice_of_additional_workshop_order_no_30699.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
December 11 , 2008
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPROPRIATE
DISPOSITION OF IDAHO POWER
COMP ANY'S S02 EMISSION PROCEEDS
TO FUND AN ENERGY EDUCATION
PROPOSAL
CASE NO. IPC-08-
NOTICE OF
ADDITIONAL WORKSHOP
NOTICE OF
MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30699
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 possibly fund an energy education program proposed by the
Idaho Energy Education Project (IEEP). On July 16, 2008, the Commission convened a Status
Conference so that IEEP and other interested parties could provide more detail about developing
energy education programs.
THE STATUS CONFERENCE
At the conference, the Idaho Office of Energy Resources (OER) submitted a proposal
for the Commission s consideration. OER indicated that the proposal was prepared in
cooperation with the Idaho Department of Education (DOE) and with Idaho Power Company.
Under the OER-DOE proposal, the $500 000 in S02 proceeds would be divided into two equal
amounts. Half of the funds would be used to develop and implement an energy efficiency
curriculum for schools. The DOE would ensure that the energy curriculum would meet Idaho
educational "standards before implementing a program in K-12 schools statewide." Proposal at
1. During this curriculum phase, DOE will also determine the best school grade(s) in which to
implement such a program.
DOE envisions integrating the energy curriculum into classrooms by using the "train-
the-trainer" model. Under the OER-DOE proposal, two teachers will be initially selected to
develop the curriculum and these teachers would then train up to 30 more teachers per workshop.
NOTICE OF ADDITIONAL WORKSHOP
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30699
The agencies estimate having 30 workshops during a two-year period. Id. at 2. The agencies
anticipate that administering the education portion of the energy proposal would require 0.8 of a
full-time employee (FTE) for the two-year period.
The second part of the OER-DOE proposal would be to make $250 000 available for
schools in Idaho Power s service territory to implement/construct specific energy efficiency
projects. Such measures might include conservation (lighting, heating, building construction)
projects or energy generation (solar or wind) projects. OER estimates that there are
approximately 62 public school districts in Idaho Power s service territory with more than 350
buildings. By augmenting Idaho Power s existing energy efficiency project for schools with the
additional $250 000, OER asserts that the additional funds will produce greater energy savings
for participating schools than relying on Idaho Power s existing programs alone. Proposal at 3.
OER anticipates that administration of the project component would require 0.5 FTE for one
year. The estimated costs for both components are set out below.
Education Component
Develop Curriculum $ 80 000
Select 2 Training Teachers 10 000
Train-the-Trainer Workshops 50 000
Admin/Overhead 110 000TOTAL $250 000
Project ComponentMarketing $ 13 989Project Funds 185 000
Admin/Overhead 51 011
TOTAL $250 000
The OER Administrator and the Superintendent of Education did answer a few questions before
they had to leave the conference because of other commitments.
Given the press for time, Idaho Power did not present a proposal or provide additional
detail regarding its existing Community Education Program for schools. Instead, the Company
said it was prepared to support whatever the Commission decided. Tr. at 44. The Company does
have employees who make presentations at schools in its service territory about utility matters
safety, generation and energy efficiency. Idaho Power also provides funding for energy
conservation projects in schools. Id. The Company indicated that its existing programs "fit very
well with the goals" of the OER-DOE proposal. Id.
In reaction to the OER/DOE proposal, participants generally voiced support for
energy education and offered constructive criticism of the proposal. Others suggested that the
school energy projects should be designed to engage the students at the project schools. Finally,
NOTICE OF ADDITIONAL WORKSHOP
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30699
some participants did express concern about the agencies' estimated administrative costs. Tr. at
64.
NOTICE OF ADDITIONAL WORKSHOP
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Commission appreciates receiving the
OER-DOE proposal. For many of the participants at the Status Conference this was the rust
opportunity they had to review the OER-DOE proposal. In addition, the Commission and
participants have not been briefed on the existing Idaho Power programs. Consequently, the
Commission shall convene another workshop on JANUARY 8. 2009 AT 9:30 A.M. IN THE
COMMISSION'S HEARING ROOM. 472 WEST WASHINGTON STREET. BOISE.
IDAHO The purpose ofthe workshop is for Idaho Power to present an overview of its existing
energy efficiency education efforts and its energy efficiency programs available to schools.
More specifically, Idaho Power shall advise the Commission on the type and scope of its school
energy audits; the contents of its existing school education curriculum; the type and scope of its
completed and currently underway school conservation/energy projects; and any additions or
enhancements to these efforts that it believes could be reasonably accomplished with an infusion
of additional funds that would directly benefit energy efficiency education in the classroom.
Other parties may also advise the Commission of their positions regarding the OER-DOE
proposal or offer other proposals.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all workshops 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)
Mail: secretary~puc.idaho.gov
NOTICE OF ADDITIONAL WORKSHOP
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30699
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the OER-DOE proposal is available for
public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission offices. The proposal and
other materials in this case are also available on the Commission website at
www.puc.idaho.gov under "File Room" and "Electric Cases.
appearing on the first page of this Notice.
Click on the case number
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 gg 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.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that after the workshop, the Commission will seek
written comments on the OER-DOE proposal, other proposals (if presented), and the appropriate
disposition of the S02 proceeds. 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
OER-DOE's energy proposal or on the disposition of the S02 proceeds may file a written
comment in support or opposition with the Commission no later than February 5, 2009. 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 at the address reflected below:
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
Paul Kjellander, Administrator
Offi~e of Energy Resources
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0098
Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W. Washington Street
Boise, ID 83702-5918
NOTICE OF ADDITIONAL WORKSHOP
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30699
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.
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
set, the Commission will consider them and, in its discretion, may set the same for formal
hearing.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission continues to reserve
judgment on the appropriateness of using $500 000 of the S02 proceeds for energy education
purposes.
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 a public workshop be convened as set out above.
Idaho Power and other interested parties should attend and be prepared to address the questions
set out above.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that persons interested in submitting written comments
in this docket do so no later than February 5 , 2009.
NOTICE OF ADDITIONAL WORKSHOP
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30699
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this / () fI'\
day of December 2008.
MACK A. REDFORD, PRESID T
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
D. KEMPTO , C MISSIONER
ATTEST:
Commission Secretary
bls/O:IPC-08- I I dh2
NOTICE OF ADDITIONAL WORKSHOP
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30699