20081126notice_of_application_order_no_30687.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
November 26, 2008
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATIONOF IDAHO POWER COMPANY FOR
AUTHORITY TO MODIFY ITS RULE H
LINE EXTENSION TARIFF RELATED TO
NEW SERVICE ATTACHMENTS AND
DISTRIBUTION LINE INSTALLATIONS.
CASE NO. IPC-08-
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF
INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 30687
On October 30, 2008, Idaho Power Company filed an Application with the
Commission seeking authority to modify its Rule H tariff relating to new service attachments and
distribution line installations and alterations. Specifically, the Company wishes to increase the
charges for new service attachments, distribution line installations and alterations. The Company
explained that the changes to the tariff would shift installation costs from the general body of
ratepayers to new customers requesting construction for these services. The Company requests
that the Application be processed by Modified Procedure and that the proposed changes be
approved no later than March 1 2009, to become effective 120 days later.
THE APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that Idaho Power proposes modifications to its
existing Rule H tariff that reorganizes sections, adds or revises definitions, updates charges and
allowances, modifies refund provisions, and deletes the Line Installation Agreements section.
Section titles were arranged to more closely reflect the manner in which customers are charged
and to better match the arrangement of the Company s cost estimation process. Definitions have
been added or revised to provide clarity.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Idaho Power proposes separate sections for
Line Installation Charges" and "Service Attachment Charges." Within the Service Attachment
Charges section, Idaho Power separated the overhead and underground service attachments
updated the charges for underground service attachments less than 400 amperages, and outlined
the calculation for determining underground service attachment charges greater than 400
amperages. The "Vested Interest Charges" section was reworded and some definitions were
removed. The available options and calculations in this section were not changed. Engineering
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 30687
charges, temporary service attachment charges, and return trip charges were updated in the
Other" Charges section.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company asserts that the Line
Installation and Service Attachment Allowances section was modified and updated to reflect
current costs associated with providing and installing "standard terminal facilities" for single-
phase and three-phase service attachments and line installations. Idaho Power proposes one
credit allowance toward the cost of terminal facilities and line installations and modifies
Company-funded credit allowances inside subdivisions. The Company maintains that these
significant revisions to the tariff specifically address the Company s and Commission s desire to
recover more of the cost for service attachments, distribution line installations, and alterations
outside of base rates.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Idaho Power proposes Vested Interest
Refunds for subdividers and new applicants inside subdivisions for additional line installations
that were not part of the initial line installation.! The Company also proposes to change the
availability of Vested Interest Refunds from a five-year period to a four-year recovery period and
discontinue all subdivision lot refunds.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Idaho Power seeks authority to add a section
entitled Relocations in Public Road Rights-of-Way to address funding of roadway relocations
required under Idaho Code ~ 62-705. The section would identify when and to what extent the
Company would fund roadway relocations. Specifically, this section would outline road
improvements for the general public benefit, road improvements for third-party beneficiaries
and road improvements for a joint benefit.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company asserts that it has undertaken a
special communications effort to advise builders and developers in its service territory of the
changes proposed by this Application. The Company requests that the proposed changes to its
Rule H tariff be approved no later than March I , 2009. Idaho Power requests that the
Commission s Order set an effective date 120 days beyond the date of the final Order to allow
the Company time to train employees, reprogram computerized accounting systems, and
reconstruct internal processes.
1 Subdividers and new applicants will continue to be eligible for Vested Interest Refunds outside of subdivisions.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 30687
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application together with 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 are also available on the Commission s Website at www.puc.idaho.gov under "File
Room" and then "Electric Cases.
DEADLINE FOR INTERVENTION
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons desiring to intervene in this matter
for the purpose of presenting evidence or cross-examining witnesses at hearing must file a
Petition to Intervene with the Commission pursuant to the Commission s Rules of Procedure 72
and 73, IDAP A 31.01.01.072 and .073. Persons intending to participate at hearing must file a
Petition to Intervene no later than fourteen (14) days from the service date ofthis Order. Persons
seeking intervenor status shall also provide the Commission Secretary with their electronic mail
address to facilitate further communications in this matter.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons desiring to present their views
without parties ' rights of participation and cross-examination are not required to intervene and
may present their comments without prior notification to the Commission or to other parties.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that once the deadline for intervention has
passed, the Commission Secretary shall issue a Notice of Parties. The Notice of Parties shall
assign exhibit numbers to each party in this proceeding.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that after the Notice of Parties is issued, the
Commission anticipates that the parties will informally convene to devise a recommended
schedule to process this case. In addition to the schedule, the parties may discuss discovery
logistics, electronic service, and other scheduling matters.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has jurisdiction over this
matter pursuant to Title 61 of the Idaho Code and specifically Idaho Code ~~ 61-307, 61-502
61-503 , and 61-622. 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.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 30687
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that persons desiring to intervene in this case for the
purpose of presenting evidence or cross-examination at hearing shall file a Petition to Intervene
with the Commission no later than fourteen (14) days from the service date of this Order.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that after the Notice of Parties is issued, the Staff shall
informally convene with the parties to discuss the processing of this case.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this .:M
day of November 2008.
~:-
MACK A. REDFORD , P
ARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
TON, CO ISSIONER
ATTEST:
~o
Lf,Je D. Jewell
Co mission Secretary
O:IPC-08-22 ks
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 30687