HomeMy WebLinkAbout20120326Application for Funding.pdfNancy Hirsh RECEIVED
NW Energy Coalition 2012 MAR 26 PM 3 37 811 lstAVC. Suite 305
Seattle, WA 98104 IDAHO PUB! lf-- UTiliTIES COMMISSION
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF ) CASE NO. IPC-E-11-19
IDAHO POWER COMPANY FOR AUTHORITY)
TO CONVERT SCHEDULE 54— FIXED COST ) APPLICATION FOR
ADJUSTMENT - FROM A PILOT SCHEDULE ) INTERVENOR FUNDING FOR
TO AN ONGOING PERMANENT SCHEDULE ) NW ENERGY COALITION
The NW Energy Coalition ("Coalition"), pursuant to Idaho Code § 61-617A and
IDAPA 31.01.01.161-165 submits the following application for intervenor funding. On
November 29, 2011 in Order No 32402, the Commission granted the Coalition's request for
intervention.
I.Idaho Code § 61-617A and IDAPA Rule 31.01.01.161 Requirement
Idaho Power Corporation, is a regulated public utility with gross Idaho intrastate, annual
revenues exceeding three million, five hundred thousand dollars ($3,500,000.00).
II.IDAPA Rule 31.01.01.162 Requirements
1.Itemized list of Expenses
The attached Exhibit A is an itemized list of expenses incurred by the NW Energy Coalition in
this proceeding
2.Statement of Proposed Findings
The Coalition asks this Commission to approve Idaho Power's application to make the Fixed
Cost Adjustment (FCA) mechanism permanent largely in its current form Also, the Coalition
asks the Commission to grant this request for intervener funding to support the Coalition's
efforts in reviewing the case, participating in the settlement negotiations and reply comments
3.Statement Showing Costs
This application is to support the Coalition's efforts in reviewing the case, participating in the
NW Energy Coalition -Intervenor Funding, IPC-E-1 1-19
March 22, 2012
settlement negotiations, and filing reply comments. The Coalition's Policy Director, Nancy
Hirsh, reviewed the initial Idaho Power filing and testimony, traveled to Boise from Seattle to
participate in the settlement discussions on January 27, reviewed production requests and initial
comments from all the parties before filing reply comments on March 15.
The Coalition requests $700.85 in intervenor funding, as shown in Exhibit A, for expert analysis
time and travel costs. Both the hours expended and costs incurred are reasonable for this
complex case.
4.Explanation of Cost Statement
The NW Energy Coalition is a nonprofit organization supported solely through grants from
charitable foundations and membership dues. The Coalition has eleven member organization's
based and working in Idaho. In this proceeding, the Coalition represents the interests of these
member groups in promoting energy efficiency throughout the Idaho Power service territory.
The Coalition's Policy Director is based in our Seattle, WA office.
5.Statement of Difference
The reply comments filed in this case demonstrate that the Coalition's proposed recommendation
is different than the proposed finding of Commission Staff. The Coalition's reply comments
raised concerns about the approach recommended by Staff as undermining the fundamental
intent of the FCA mechanism. While Staff represented their modification as a modest adjustment
to the FCA mechanism, the Coalition detailed why this "modest" change would in fact reduce
recovery of fixed costs and maintain the incentive to sell more kWh.
The Coalition's reply comments supported the comments filed by the Idaho Conservation
League and the public comments submitted by the Snake River Alliance in that they found that
the FCA mechanism should be made permanent as it is currently structured
6.Statement of Recommendation
The Fixed Cost Adjustment (FCA) addresses a very specific problem - recovery of fixed costs is
linked to sale of electricity, encouraging 'increased use and discouraging investments in energy
NW Energy Coalition - Intervenor Funding, IPC-E-1 1-19
March 22, 2012
efficiency or any other program (like distributed generation) that reduces electricity throughput.
By calculating the per-customer revenues needed to cover specific fixed costs, the FCA removes
the disincentive for demand-side investments that help customers use less electricity. The FCA
also helps ensure the Company's timely recovery of the fixed system costs regardless of sales
volumes.
7. Statement Showing Class of Customer
The Coalition has eleven member organization's based and working in Idaho In this proceeding,
the Coalition represents the interests of these member groups in promoting energy efficiency
throughout the Idaho Power service terntory.
IN CONCLUSION, the NW Energy Coalition respectfully requests the Commission grant this
application.
DATED this 22th day of March 2012.
Respectfully submitted,
_A4
Nancy Hirsh
Policy Director, NW Energy Coalition
NW Energy Coalition - Intervenor Funding, IPC-E-11-19
March 22, 2012
EXHIBIT A
Costs Associated with Nancy Hirsh, Policy Director, NW Energy Coalition
Seventeen hours at $31.25 per hour = $531.25
• Review Idaho Power application and testimony 3 hours
• Review IPC response to Commission Staff Production Request 1 hour
• Meet with parties regarding settlement on January 29 2.5 hours
• Review all party comments filed March 1 4 hours
• Prepare and file Coalition reply comments 5 hours
• Prepare Coalition application for intervenor funding 1.5 hours
Total Hours 17.0
Travel from Seattle to Boise, January 26, 2012 -
Settlement Talks with Commission Staff and all Parties $169.60
Total request for intervenor funding = $700.85
NW Energy Coalition - Intervenor Funding, IPC-E-11- 19
March 22, 2012
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that I have this 22th day of March 2012 served the foregoing APPLICATION
FOR INTERVENOR FUNDING FOR THE NW ENERGY COALITION to the following via
the method of service noted:
Electronic Mail and Hard Copy:
Jean Jewell
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
427 W. Washington St.
Boise, ID 83702-5983
Electronic Mail:
Jason B. Williams
Lisa D. Nordstrom
Michael J. Youngbood
Zachary L. Harris
Idaho Power Co.
1221 W. Idaho St.
Boise, ID 83707
jwi!1iams,idahopower.com
1nordstrom(21idahopower.com
myoungb!ood(2iidahopower.com
zharris(à)idahopower.com
Benjamin J. Otto
Idaho Conservation League
710N. 6th St.
Boise, ID 83701
botto(Ei)idahoconservation.org
Richard E. Malmgren
Sr. Asst. General Counsel
Micron Technology Inc.
800 S Federal Way
Boise, ID 83716
rema1mgrenmicron.com
Thorvald A Nelson
Frederick J Schmidt
Brian T Hansen
Mary V York
Hol!and & Hart LLP
6380 S. Fiddlers Green Cir
Suite 500
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
tne!son@hollandhart.com
fschmidt@hollandhart.com
bhansen@hollandhart.com
myorkhollandhart.com
lnbuchanan@hollandhart.com
------------------------
Nancy Hirsh
NW Energy Coalition - Intervenor Funding, IPC-E-11-19
March 22, 2012