20101101notice_of_filing_order_no_32103.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
November 1 2010
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION CASE NO. IPC-09-
OF IDAHO POWER COMPANY FOR
APPROV AL OF A FIRM ENERGY SALES NOTICE OF FILING
AGREEMENT FOR THE SALE AND
PURCHASE OF ELECTRIC ENERGY NOTICE OF
BETWEEN IDAHO POWER COMPANY MODIFIED PROCEDURE
AND IDAHO WINDS LLc.
ORDER NO. 32103
On September 10, 2009 , Idaho Power filed an Application with the Commission
requesting approval of a 20-year Firm Energy Sales Agreement between Idaho Power and Idaho
Winds LLC dated September 1 , 2009. The Application was processed by Modified Procedure.
After reviewing and considering the Application and comments filed by Staff and other
interested parties in the case, the Commission found it reasonable to accept termination of the
Alkali Wind Project contract and approve the September 1 2009, Firm Energy Sales Agreement
between Idaho Power and Idaho Wind LLC for the Sawtooth Wind Project. Order No. 30964.
NOTICE OF FILING
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on October 5 , 2010, Idaho Power filed a
Motion with the Commission for approval of a Generator Interconnection Agreement
(Agreement) between Idaho Winds LLC and Idaho Power regarding the Sawtooth Wind Project
(Project). The Company s Motion states that interconnection of the Project is provided at 138
kV at an estimated cost to the Project of approximately $844 000. The addition ofthe Project
Idaho Power s system requires substantial network transmission system upgrades at an estimated
cost of approximately $2 176 000. The estimated milestone date for construction completion is
July 22, 2011.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that this Agreement is the second outside of the
Twin Falls queue involving PURPA generating facilities subject to Idaho Power s Schedule 72
which require substantial upgrades to Idaho Power s transmission system. The Commission first
authorized a sharing formula for transmission upgrade costs outside of the Twin Falls queue in
Case Nos. IPC-06-34 and IPC-06-35 - Hot Springs Windfarm and Bennett Creek
NOTICE OF FILING
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 32103
Windfarm, respectively.Idaho Power asserts that the Sawtooth Wind Project will be
interconnected to the same transmission line as the Hot Springs and Bennett Creek projects and
the network transmission upgrades required to interconnect will have similar impact.
Therefore, as a similarly situated project, Idaho Power and Idaho Winds LLC believe it is
appropriate for this Agreement to include the cost sharing allocation developed and accepted in
the Cassia case2 and approved by the Commission in the Hot Springs and Bennett Creek
interconnection agreements.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company requests that its Motion be
processed by Modified Procedure.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that 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 IDAPA 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 this
Application may file a written comment in support or opposition with the Commission no later
than twenty-one (21) days from the service date of this Order. 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 and the Applicant at the addresses reflected below:
1 These windfann projects shared the same developer, interconnection, and generator interconnection agreement.
2 Twenty-five percent of the costs of transmission upgrade will be provided by the project as a non-refundablecontribution in aid of construction (CIAC); 25% of the costs will be funded by Idaho Power and included in Idaho
Power s rate base; 50% of the costs will be funded by the project as an advance in aid of construction (AIAC),subject to refund. These costs will be rate based using standard regulatory accounting principles. Order No. 30414.
NOTICE OF FILING
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 32103
Street Address for Express Mail:
Donovan E, Walker, Senior Counsel
Lisa Nordstrom, Lead Counsel
Idaho Power Company
1221 West Idaho Street
PO Box 70
Boise, ID 83707-0070
E- Mail: dwalker~idahopower.com
nordstrom~idahopower. com
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
472 W. Washington Street
Boise, ID 83702-5918
Dave Angell
Delivery Planning Manager
Idaho Power Company
1221 West Idaho Street
PO Box 70
Boise, ID 83707-0070
E- Mail: dangell~idahopower.com
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. These comments must also be sent to Idaho Power at the e-mail addresses listed
above.
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 Application and 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 web site at www.puc.idaho.gov by clicking
on "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 the Public Utility
NOTICE OF FILING
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 32103
Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURP A). The Commission has authority under PURP A and
the implementing regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to set
avoided costs, to order electric utilities to enter into fixed-term obligations for the purchase of
energy from qualified facilities and to implement FERC rules.
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.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this case be processed under Modified Procedure.
Interested persons and parties may file written comments no later than twenty-one (21) days
from the service date of this Order.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this ;2.. 9-f'1t
day of October 2010.
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
~M1SS1ONER
ATTEST:
~~~
"1 D. Jewe
Commission Secretary
O:IPC-O9-25 ks
NOTICE OF FILING
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 32103