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Home My WebLink About20141126notice_of_application_order_no_33185.pdfOffice of the Sccretary Service Date November 26,2014 BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION ) OF IDAHO POWER COMPANY FOR )CASE 1O.IPC-E-14-38 AUTHORITY TO FUND ITS CONTINUED ) PARTICIPATION IN THE NORTHWEST )NOTICE OF APPLICATION ENERGY EFFICIENCY ALLIANCE ) THROUGH THE EN:ERGY EFFICIENCY )OTICE OF RIDER )iODIFIED PROCEDURE ) ____________________________ )ORDER NO.33185 On October 29,2014,Idaho Power Company filed an Application requesting authorization to continue its participation in the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) for the period 2015-2019.NEEA is a non-profit organization that encourages energy efficiency in the Northwest through the promotion of products,services and practices.Application at 1-2. The Company requests that its participation be funded by the Energy Efficiency Tariff Rider (Schedule 91),a mechanism initiated in 2002 for recovering costs of Idaho Power’s demand-side management (DSM)programs.See Order No.29026. NOTICE OF APPLICATION A.Background YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that Idaho Power has filed its fourth request to authorize its continued participation in NEEA.When the Commission first approved Idaho Power’s participation in NEEA in 1997,it required the Company to defer recovery of its expenditures.Order No.27045.The Commission later found that participation in NEEA was prudent,and authorized Idaho Power to establish a reserve of accumulated revenue sharing balances to reimburse it for deferred NEEA expenditures from 1997-1999.Order No.27877.In 2000,the Commission approved Idaho Power’s continued participation in NEEA from 2000- 2004,allowing Idaho Power to recover participation costs through revenue sharing funds.Order XTrO.LO2i. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that in Nay 2005.the Commission increased Idaho Power’s Energy Efficiency Rider so the Company could expand its energy efficiency programs and continue participation in NEEA for 2005-2009.Order No.29784.In March 2009, the Commission approved a stipulation between Idaho Power and Commission Staff,finding that NOTICE OF APPLICATION NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE ORDERNO.33185 1 $4 million Idaho Power paid to NEEA during 2002-2007 was prudently incurred.Order No. 30740.The Commission again approved Idaho Power’s 2010 application,authorizing the Company’s continued participation in NEEA for 2010-2014.Order No.31080.In that Order, the Commission noted that —as recognized by Idaho Power —“The Commission’s approval of the Company’s continued participation in NEEA,and the use of Rider funds to pay for that participation,is not a determination of prudency.”Id.at 5,7.Rather,“when Idaho Power in the future requests a Commission determination that its use of Rider funds was prudent,it must demonstrate a sufficient benefit to customers resulted from the Company’s participation in NEEA.”Id.at 7. B.The Current Application YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Idaho Power’s current Application describes the main components of the NEEA business plan for 2015-2019.Idaho Power identifies the NEEA activities that the Company believes will benefit its customers most,including:(1) activities of the University of Idaho Integrated Design Lab;(2)Top Tier Trade Ally Advanced Training;(3)commercial lighting initiatives,(4)residential retail product portfolio;and (5) residential new construction.Id.at 6.Idaho Power’s Application points out that the Company and NEEA have negotiated an agreement to help ensure that the Company’s energy efficiency expenditures are prudent —that is,that they are reasonable and effective.Id.at 6-7.The Regional Energy Efficiency Initiative Agreement (“Agreement”)is attached to Idaho Power’s Application.Application,Attachment 3. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that,subject to the Commission’s approval,Idaho Power has committed to fund NEEA based on a quarterly estimate of expenses up to the five- year total direct funding amount of $13,450,835.Id.at 9.This amount is 8.97%of NEEA’s $145-$169 million budget for 2015-2019. 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. NOTICE OF APPLICATION NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE ORDER NO.33185 2 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 by no later than December 22,2014;Idaho Power shall have until December 19,2014 to file reply comments,if necessary.A request for intervenor funding,if any,shall be due 14 days from the filing of written comments. Comments 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: Commission Secretary Lisa D.Nordstrom Idaho Public Utilities Commission Theresa Drake P0 Box 83720 Idaho Power Company Boise,ID 83720-0074 P.O.Box 70 Boise,ID 83707-0070 Street Address for Express Mail:E-Mail:lnordstrom@idahopower.com tdrake@jdahopower.com 472 W.Washington Street Boise,ID 83702-5918 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 “Case Comment or Question Form”under the “Consumers”tab,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,testimonies and supporting workpapers 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.Click on the “File Room”tab at NOTICE OF APPLICATION NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE ORDERNO.33185 3 the top of the page,scroll down to “Open Electric Cases,”and then click on the case number as shown on the front of this document. 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 specifically Idaho Code §61-336 and 61-503.The Commission may enter any final Order consistent with its authority under Title 61. 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 the Application of Idaho Power Company for authority to fund its continued participation in the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance be processed by Modified Procedure,IDAPA 31.01.01.201 -.204.Persons interested in submitting written comments in this matter must do so no later than December 22,2014.Idaho Power shall file reply comments (if necessary)no later than December 29,2014.Any request for intervenor funding shall be due January 5,2015. NOTICE OF APPLICATION NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE ORDERNO.33185 4 DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this day of November 2014. PAUL kJELtANbER,PRESIDENT MARSHA H.SMITH,COMMISSIONER .I MACK A.REDFOD,COMMISSIONER ATTEST: A Jean D Jewell Commission S&cretary O:IPC-E-I 4-38djh NOTICE OF APPLICATION NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE ORDERNO.33185 5