20130208Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM 1
DECISION MEMORANDUM

TO: COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER REDFORD
COMMISSIONER SMITH
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL

FROM: WELDON STUTZMAN
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL

DATE: FEBRUARY 6, 2013

SUBJECT: STAFF’S MOTION TO CLOSE CASE NO. IPC-E-10-03; GUIDELINES
FOR RFP PROCESS FOR IDAHO POWER COMPANY

On January 18, 2013, Staff filed a Motion to Close Case No. IPC-E-10-03. The case
was initiated as Case No. GNR-E-08-03 to establish competitive bidding guidelines for the
request for proposal (RFP) process used when supply-side resources are acquired by Idaho
Power Company, PacifiCorp, and Avista. The case thereafter was narrowed to establish
guidelines only for Idaho Power Company and re-assigned Case No. IPC-E-10-03. No action
has been taken on the case since February 2010 when a workshop was convened to discuss
possible RFP guidelines.
Staff’s Motion states that Idaho Power by letter stated it does not currently anticipate
a need to issue an RFP for a supply-side resource in the near future. More significantly, Idaho
Power confirms that it is bound by competitive bidding guidelines established in the State of
Oregon for its RFP process and that it will comply with those bidding guidelines in Idaho.
On January 31, 2013, the Northwest and Intermountain Power Producers Coalition
(NIPPC) filed an Answer to Staff’s Motion to Close Case. NIPPC stated it is actively involved
in the Oregon Commission case to determine RFP guidelines. NIPPC also states “it is pleased to
endorse the commitment by Idaho Power and PUC Staff to follow the Oregon guidelines (via
Commission Order) in Idaho.” NIPPC Answer, p. 4 (footnote omitted). NIPPC requested the
Commission issue an Order closing docket No. IPC-E-10-03 “by requiring Idaho Power to fulfill
its commitment to utilize the Oregon RFP guidelines that are in effect as of the time of its next
RFP in Idaho.” Id.
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2
Staff recommends the Commission issue an Order closing Case No. IPC-E-10-03,
reminding Idaho Power of its commitment to adhere to the Oregon RFP guidelines, in the
absence of Idaho specific guidelines.
COMMISSION DECISION
Should the Commission issue an Order closing Case No. IPC-E-10-03, and include in
its Order the requirement that Idaho Power comply with the Oregon RFP guidelines for future
supply-side acquisitions in Idaho?

Weldon B. Stutzman
Deputy Attorney General

bls/M:IPC-E-10-03_ws