20140519Miller Comment.pdf

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RECEIVIi}
201[ tlAY l9 At{ 9: b6
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DeanJ. floe) Millet
May 79,2074
Via llaad Delivety & Electonic Traasmissioa
The Honotable Paul Kjellander
The Honorable Matsha Smith
The Honorable Mack Redford
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
47 2 Vl est Washington Stteet
Boise,Idaho 83702
Re: Idaho Powet Company Petition to Suspend, Case No. IPC-E-14-09.
Deat Commissionets:
I am wdting on behalf of the Idaho Clean Enetgy Association, Iflc., (ICEA) tegading Item No. 5,
on today's Decision Agenda, Idaho Power Conpary Petition to Suspend Solar PUWA Obligation. As you
recall from the recent Net Metedng case', ifl which ICEA participated as an Intervenor, ICEA is an
incorporated association of business and individuals intetested in promoting the development of
clean, renewable energy in Idaho.
As with the Net Metering case, Idaho Powet Company did not confet with any ICEA member or
representative priot to filing the present Petition for a Stay of its PURPA obligation. ICEA leamed
of the Petition only though periodic monitoring of the Commission website. Consequently, we have
not had an opportunity for in-depth study of the Petition and accompanying testimony. And, as
with the Net Metering case,ICEA is concemed that the unannounced fiIing of petidons that seek to
suspend or upset the prevailing regulatory ftamewotk has a destabilizing effect on the tenewable
energy industry.
Based on preliminary review of the Petition, ICEA intends to seek intervention in the ptoceeding
and to oppose the Petition.
The Petition in its Prayer for Relief,2 asks for the issuance of an immediate order tempor:Lrily
suspending Idaho Power's obligation under PURPA. If by this Idaho Power is requesting the
issuance of an order witlout further notice and opportunity to comment, ICEA obiects. In ICEA's
opinion, the Petition and accompanying testimony do not establish the existence of imminent
irteparable i"i"ry that would justifr such an extraordiflary remedy.
I [PC-E-72.27
2 Petition Pg. 17
Commissioners
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
Page 2
May 79,2014
As recited in the Petidon,3 Idaho Power does not currently have any solar PURPA contracts. The
Petition also recites that two previous solar contracts wete tetminated, demonstrating that even if a
developer obtains a firm energy sales agreement there is no assurance the pro)ect will achieve
commercial operation. And, as shown by the attached Idaho Power publication, solar generation
accouflts for .01 percent of Idaho Powet's cunent Resoutce Portfolio Fuel Mix. Idaho Powet's
doomsday worries are overblown and do not justifr an immediate stay.
There is also substantial legal doubt regarding the Commission's authority to stay PURPA
obligations. In previous cases, the Commission has been able to avoid the legal question by
reducing the eligibility cap for published rates.4 Here, that option is not available to the Commission
as avoided cost rates fot solar QF's above 100 kilowatts are determined by the inctemental cost IRP
methodology.s
Accordingly, the Commission should not act prccipitously. Rather, the Comrnission should follow
its normal process of issuing a Notice of the Petition, establishing an intervention deadline and
thereafter set a procedutal schedule that will permit a reasoned considetation of issues presented by
the Petition.
Very truly yours,
McDE,VIfi & MILLER LLP
\)dw
DeanJ. Miller
DJM/hh
Cc: by electronic mail:
Jean Jewell, Commission Secretary
Kris Sasser, Deputy Attomey General
Donovan Walker, Idaho Power Company
Peter Richardson
Idaho Clean Energy Association
3 Petition Pg. 6
a Order No. 32498, Case No. GNR-E-I1-3.
s Petition Pg. 5.
Idaho Power - About Us - Company Information - Facts - Resource Porfolio Fuel Mix 20... Page I of I
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2 Thls le en eslirrleta of lhe tu€l mix of ldaho Porc/8 po.folb d generaton supply, induding
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ldaho Poryer intsnds to sell the Ren€ryable En€rgy C€rtlfrcatos (REC8) lhat lt olms h the n€ar-
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tuel mlx ls bdng &llv€r6d b iE iEtaI qrstomers in 2012. For mo(E lnformallon qt lhe enotw
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