20090519final_order_no_30815.pdf

Office ofthe Secretary
Service Date
May 19, 2009
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF IDAHO POWER
COMPANY'S PETITION FOR
MODIFICATION OF THE FILING DATE
FOR ITS 2009 INTEGRATED RESOURCE
PLAN (IRP)ORDER NO. 30815
CASE NO. IPC-09-
On April 24, 2009, Idaho Power Company (Idaho Power; Company) filed a Petition
with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (Commission) requesting authority to defer the filing
of its 2009 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) from June 30, 2009, to December 31 , 2009.
Reference IRP Scheduling Order No. 30317, IPC-06-24.
In June 2008, Idaho Power filed an update to its 2006 IRP addressing short-term
action plan progress, changes in load forecast, existing loads, customer base and purchase power
contracts; and significant deviations from its 2006 IRP. The Company states that two significant
changes have occurred since completion of its 2008 update that make it desirable to delay the
filing date of its 2009 IRP: (1) a permitting delay in its proposed Boardman-Hemingway
transmission project, an identified near-term resource and (2) slowed local and national
economic growth necessitating an update to its sales/load forecast.
Boardman-Hemingway Transmission Project
In its 2006 IRP, the Company identified the 225 MW McNary to Boise transmission
project in its preferred resource portfolio with a projected completion date of 2012. Since its
2006 IRP, the Company has refined and finalized plans for the Idaho-Pacific Northwest
upgrades. As reflected in its 2008 update, the Company is now proposing to construct and
operate a new 300-mile-long single circuit 500 kV electric transmission line between a new
switching yard at the Boardman power plant in Oregon to a new Hemingway substation to be
located in Owyhee County, Idaho. The Company faces opposition in both Oregon and Idaho to
potential transmission routes and has commenced a comprehensive and inclusive public process
to identify proposed and alternative routes with a goal of developing acceptable routes by the end
of 2009. The Company recognizes that undertaking this extensive collaborative approach will
cause a delay in the permitting process. Recent permit delays have pushed completion of the
Boardman to Hemingway 500 kV transmission project beyond 2012. With this delay, the
ORDER NO. 30815
Company plans to treat the Boardman-Hemingway project as an uncommitted resource in the
2009 IRP. As an uncommitted resource, the 2009 IRP will address whether the Boardman-
Hemingway project continues to merit inclusion in the Company s near-term resource action
plan.
SaleslLoad Forecast
Substantial changes in economic conditions have occurred since September 2008
when the load forecast currently being used for the Company s 2009 IRP was completed.
Slowed local and national economic growth may impact future demand for electricity and the
Company believes it would be prudent to update its sales and load forecast prior to completing
the 2009 IRP. The Company expects to complete the new sales and load forecast in August
2009. Substituting the August 2009 load forecast for the August 2008 load forecast means that
much of the work that has already been done to bring the 2009 IRP to its nearly completed status
will need to be reviewed and re-analyzed.
Commission Findings
The Commission has reviewed the filings of record in Case No. IPC-09-13. Idaho
Power requests Commission authority to delay the filing of its 2009 IRP from June 30, 2009, to
December 31 , 2009. The Commission finds that extension of the 2009 IRP filing date is
warranted without further notice or procedure based on the reasons advanced by Idaho Power.
The requested delay will allow additional public participation in the preparation of the IRP as it
relates to the Boardman-Hemingway transmission project. Additional time will also allow the
Company to incorporate the most recent sales and load forecast. The Commission finds that
allowing Idaho Power additional time to prepare and file its 2009 IRP benefits the Commission
and Idaho Power customers because it will allow the Commission to evaluate the IRP based
upon the most up-to-date load projections and economic conditions. The additional time also
benefits the public by allowing more participation in the planning process - one of the goals of
the IRP process.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has jurisdiction over Idaho Power Company,
an electric utility, and the issues presented in Case No. IPC-09-13 pursuant to statutory
authority granted under Idaho Code, Title 61 , and the Commission s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA
31.01.01.000 et seq.
ORDER NO. 30815
ORDER
In consideration of the foregoing and as more particularly described above, IT IS
HEREBY ORDERED and the Commission does hereby grant the Petition of Idaho Power
Company to defer the file date of its 2009 Integrated Resource Plan from June 30, 2009, to
December 31 , 2009.
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. Within seven (7)
days after any person has petitioned for 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 / 9~
day of May 2009.
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MPTcJN DENT
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MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
MACK A. REDFORD MMISSIONER
ATTEST:
iftJe D. Jewell
ission Se etary
bls/O:IPC-09- I 3 sw
ORDER NO. 30815