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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20150917Joint Answer to Petition.pdfsEm. An IDACORP Company DONOVAN E. WALKER Lead Counse! dwalker@idahopower.com Septembet 17,20'15 . i, i o-!)lli Fii tr: 25 '1"r..., VlA HAND DELIVERY Jean D. Jewell, Secretary ldaho Public Utilities Commission 472 West Washington Street Boise, ldaho 83702 Re: Case Nos. IPC-E-15-01 , AVU-E-15-01, and PAC-E-15-03 Modify Terms and Conditions of PURPA Purchase Agreements Joint Answer of ldaho Power Company, Avista Corporation, and Rocky Mountain Power to J.R. Simplot Company and Glearwater Paper Corporation's Petition for Reconsideration Dear Ms. Jewell: Enclosed for filing in the above matters please find an original and seven (7) copies of the Joint Answer of ldaho Power Company, Avista Corporation, and Rocky Mountain Power to J.R. Simplot Company and Clearwater Paper Corporation's Petition for Reconsideration. DEW/KKT Enclosures DONOVAN E. WALKER (lSB No. 5921) ldaho Power Company 1221West ldaho Street (83702) P.O. Box 70 Boise, ldaho 83707 Telephone: (208) 388-5317 Facsimile: (208) 388-6936 dwa I ker@ idaho power. co m Attorney for ldaho Power Company WONNE R. HOGLE (lSB No. 8930) Rocky Mountain Power 201 South Main, Suite 2400 Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 Telephone: (801 ) 220-4050 Facsimile: (801 ) 220-3299 Yvonne. hoqle@ pacificorp.com Attorney for Rocky Mountain Power IN THE MATTER OF IDAHO POWER COMPANY'S PETITION TO MODIFY TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PURPA PURCHASE AGREEMENTS IN THE MATTER OF AVISTA CORPORATION'S PETITION TO MODIFY TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PURPA PURCHASE AGREEMENTS IN THE MATTER OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN POWER COMPANY'S PETITION TO MODIFY TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PURPA PURCHASE AGREEMENTS MICHAEL G. ANDREA (lSB No. 8308) Avista Corporation 1411 East Mission Avenue, MSC-23 Spokane, Washington 99202 Telephone: (509) 495-2564 Facsimile: (509) 777-5468 m ichael. a nd rea@avistaco rp. com Attorney for Avista Corporation CASE NO. IPC.E.15.O1 CASE NO. AVU-E-15-01 CASE NO. PAC-E-15-03 JOINT ANSWER OF IDAHO POWER COMPANY, AVISTA CORPORATION, AND ROCKY MOUNTAIN POWER TO J.R. SIMPLOT COMPANY AND CLEARWATER PAPER CORPORATION'S PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION ) ) ) ) JOINT ANSWER TO PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION - 1 ldaho Power Company ("ldaho Powe/'), Avista Corporation ("Avista"), and Rocky Mountain Power fiointly the "Utilities"), in accordance with ldaho Code S 61-626 and RP 331.05, hereby submit this answer to the Petition for Reconsideration of final Order No. 33357 ("Petition") issued August 20,2015, filed by J.R. Simplot Company ("Simplot") and Clearwater Paper Corporation ("Clearwated'). Simplot and Cleanrater fail to demonstrate that the ldaho Public Utilities Commission's ("Commission") Order No. 33357 is unreasonable, unlawful, erroneous, or not in conformity with the law. RP 331.01. The Commission's Order No. 33357 is based upon substantial and competent evidence in the record. The Commission regularly pursued its authority and acted within its discretion. Consequently, reconsideration should be denied. I. INTRODUCTION Simplot and Clearwater make conclusions and arguments that misrepresent the plain language of the regulations, read into the regulations requirements for long-term contracts that are not stated and do not exist, and misconstrue the differences in the mandatory purchase obligation of Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 ('PURPA") and the approval of proper rates, terms, and conditions of that mandatory purchase to ensure that utility customers are not harmed thereby. The Commission's order properly balances the mandatory purchase obligation with the protection of utility customers. The Petition for Reconsideration should be denied. JOINT ANSWER TO PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION - 2 II. SIMPLOT AND CLEARWATER'S ARGUMENTS ARE WITHOUT MERIT Simplot and Clearwaterl misrepresent the plain language of the regulations and confound the precedent and authorities related to a legally enforceable obligation in an unsuccessful effort to create a requirement for long-term contractual commitments. The entire analysis and line of reasoning put forth in Simplot and Clearwater's Petition is strained at best. ln their effort to reach their desired result, Simplot and Clearwater misrepresent that the "plain language" of 18 C.F.R. S 292.304(dx2xii) allows a QF to specify the term of the contract. Petition at 9. Section 292.304(d)(2xii) simply does not say that. Both PURPA and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") regulations are silent as to any specific contract length. While FERC's regulations require a specified term (unless the QF elects to provide its output on an as-available basis), FERC's regulations do not dictate how long that specified term must be. 18 C.F.R. S 292.304(d). More fundamentally, contrary to Simplot and Cleanruater's assertion in their Petition, FERC's regulations do not state that the QF shall have the option "to elect to sell such energy and capacity over a term specified by the QFI.I' Compare 18 C.F.R. S 292.304(d) with Petition at 9 (emphasis added). The Commission recognized and acknowledged that FERC's regulations do not dictate the length of the term of a PURPA contract: "Even Mr. Wenner acknowledged 1 Simplot and Clearurrater's interest and impact from this proceeding is tenuous and at best hypothetical. Simplot's qualified facility ('OF') has most recently voluntarily contracted for a one-year term, and has historically selected short-term PURPA contracts. The previous contract was for a term of two years, effective February 2013; the contract before that was for a term of seven years, effective February 2006; before that, the contract was for a term of one year, effective March 2004; and prior to that, a contract for five years, effective January 1991 ; and from 1986 to 1991 the facility was under contract for non-firm, as- delivered prices under Schedule 86. Clearwater currently has a non-PuRPA contract for its generation facility with Avista. Additionally, all of PacifiCorp's cogeneration contracts are for a term of one year. See a/so, Order No. 33357 at 25. JOINT ANSWER TO PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION - 3 that FERC regulations do not dictate a specific number of years or establish a time period for PURPA contracts. Tr. at 589. lt is not contested that PURPA, and its implementing regulations, are silent as to a specific contract !ength." Order No. 33357 at 12. The Commission recognized the issue of determination of contract length to be within its authority and discretion. /d. The Commission relied upon the precedent of ldaho Supreme Court cases in its determination, as well as cases offering guidance from the federal courts and FERC. Order No. 33357 at 2-3, 10, 12, 16, 2'l-22. The Commission referred to several sections of the record upon which it relied in reaching its determination. ld. at 3-5,7-11, 13-28. The Commission's Order No. 33357 is based upon substantial and competent evidence in the record. The Commission regularly pursued its authority and was acting within its discretion. Consequently, reconsideration should be denied. Simplot and Clearwater insist throughout the Petition that FERC has directed, through its regulations, its comments regarding those regulations, and through several legally enforceable obligation cases that QFs are entitled to long-term contracts. However, nothing cited by Simplot and Cleanryater states any such requirement. ln fact, nearly all of this authority is Iimited to discussing the distinction setforth in 18 C.F.R. S 292.304(d) - which allows a QF to choose to have avoided cost rates for the purchase of its power calculated either: (1) at the time of delivery or (2) at the time of contracting or legally enforceable obligation for a specified term. The Commission acknowledged such provision. Order No. 33357 at 22. In fact the actual language of the regulation is as follows: JOINT ANSWER TO PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION - 4 (d) Purchases "as available" or pursuant to a legally enforceable obligation. Each qualifying facility shall have the option either: (1) To provide energy as the qualifying facility determines such energy to be available for such purchases, in which case the rates for such purchases shall be based on the purchasing utility's avoided costs calculated at the time of delivery; or (2) To provide energy or capacity pursuant to a legally enforceable obligation for the delivery of energy or capacity over a specified term, in which case the rates for such purchases shall, at the option of the qualifying facility exercised prior to the beginning of the specified term, be based on either: (i) The avoided costs calculated at the time of delivery; or (ii) The avoided costs calculated at the time the obligation is incurred. 18 C.F.R. S 292.304(d) (italics in original) (bold emphasis added). ln fact, Simplot and Cleanrvater quote these same provisions in the Petition; however, they state immediately thereafter with reference to, "The plain language of 18 C.F.R. S 292.304(dx2xii) .... lt provides that each QF 'shall' be provided with the following options: (1) to elect to sell energy and capacity; (2) to elect to sell such energy and capacity over a term specified by the QF; and (3) to elect that the obligation contain rates for energy and capacity calculated at the time the QF incurs that obligation." Petition at 9 (emphasis added). This is not the plain language of the regulation. Clearly, the regulation states, "over a specified term." lt does not state, "over a term specified by the QF." The phrase "over a specified term" means that there ts a term, not that the QF specifies the term. The Commission correctly concludes that PURPA and FERC are silent as to the length of the specified term which, as referenced above, JOINT ANSWER TO PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION - 5 was not contested by the parties. Order No. 33357 at 12. Citing to its "review of federal court and state Supreme Court precedent, the testimony of the parties, PURPA, and FERC's implementing regulations" the Commission correctly found "the issue of contract length is left to this Commission's discretion." /d. Next, as demonstrated by its arguments on page 12 of the Petition, Simplot and Clearwater confuse a two-year maximum contract term with the pricing methodology that establishes compensation for avoided capacity. Simplot and Clearwater argue: The QF is deprived of a "fixed contract price for its energy and capacity at the outset of its obligation" because, as the Order expressly acknowledges, a two-year contract will not provide a price for capacity that is fixed at this time. lt will provide no price at all for capacity and thereby deprive the QF of the right to sel! capacity. The utility wil! thus evade the requirement to provide a capacity credit to the QF "merely by refusing to enter into a contract" of sufficient length to provide such credit to the QF. Petition at 12 (citations omitted)(italics in original)(bold emphasis added). First of all, the reference and statement regarding "refusing to enter into a contract" is completely misplaced and misapplied. This case, and the Commission's Order No. 33357, is about the proper contract term of a mandatory PURPA QF purchase. This proceeding did not address the purpose of the existence of a legally enforceable obligation. There is no evidence in the record, nor any discussion, argument, or allegation regarding a utility's refusal to contract in this entire matter. The case is about the Commission determining the just and proper rates, terms, and conditions of the purchase of QF electric generation by a utility in such a manner that is not harmful to utility customers. JOINT ANSWERTO PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION - 6 Next, Simplot and Cleanruater are again mistaken in their arguments and understanding that Order No. 33357 somehow does not provide a price for capacity. Order No. 33357 does not establish the avoided cost price that a QF is entitled to. lt is limited to addressing the maximum contract length. The avoided cost price, including a pricing component for both avoided energy and avoided capacity, is determined by the Commission's approved and previously existing pricing methodologies. For small projects, under the published rate eligibility cap, the avoided cost prices are set by use of the Surrogate Avoided Resource ("SAR") methodology calculated and published by Commission Staff. These rates are not relevant to this proceeding, as the Commission's Order is limited to only those QF projects that exceed the published rate eligibility cap. For such larger projects, avoided cost prices are determined by the lncremental Cost lntegrated Resource Plan methodology authorized for use by Order No. 32697. The Commission has previously determined, in its final, non-appealable Order, that a QF is only entitled to payment for capacity at such time as the utility is capacity deficient. Order No. 32697 at21. ln calculating a QF's ability to contribute to a utility's need for capacity, we find it reasonable for the utilities to only begin payments for capacity at such time that the utility becomes capacity deficient. lf a utility is capacity surplus, then capacity is not being avoided by the purchase of QF power. By including a capacity payment only when the utility becomes capacity deficient, the utilities are paying rates that are a more accurate reflection of a true avoided cost for the QF Power. ld. Consequently, the continual complaint in the Petition that the two-year contract term does not provide a price for capacity is both false and an impermissible collateral attack on the Commission's prior order. lt is the fact that the utility is capacity sufficient that JOINT ANSWER TO PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION .7 results in the capacity component of the avoided cost price to be zero. The capacity price is not absent, as argued by Simplot and Clearwater, it is set at zero because the utility is capacity sufficient. lf the utility were capacity deficient, then the methodology would calculate the appropriate avoided cost of capacity based upon the avoided cost of a simple-cycle combustion turbine. ld. at22. ln any event, the Commission's Order No. 32697 aside, as Rocky Mountain Power argued at closing, to the extent that a QF helps the utility reduce firm power purchases, the rate for such a purchase will include both avoided energy and capacity costs.2 The Commission's direction with regard to capacity in Order No. 33357 actually favors the QF in that it allows a QF to establish the utility's capacity deficiency at the time the initial IRP-based contract is signed. Order No. 33357 a|25. "As long as the QF renews its contract and continuously sells power to the utility, the QF is entitled to capacity based on the capacity deficiency date established at the time of its initia! contract." ld. at 25-26. Under the previously authorized 2}-year contract term, a QF would have no capacity payment (capacity component of avoided cost rate would be zero) until the utility reached the identified first capacity deficit. This is the same for QF contracts under the two-year term: the capacity component is zero until the utility reaches the same identified first capacity deficit. The main difference being that avoided cost rates are refreshed at each two-year contracting interva!, rather than being erroneously estimated and locked-in over 20 years. The Commission in its order acknowledges and discusses this intended result of achieving a more accurate estimation of the utility's avoided cost for the protection of utility customers. 2 Tr.al762-1027. JOINT ANSWER TO PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION - 8 Based upon our record, we find that 2O-year contracts exacerbate overestimations to a point that avoided cost rates over the long-term period are unreasonable and inconsistent with the public interest. We find shorter contracts reasonable and consistent with federal and state law for multiple reasons. First shorter contracts have the potential to benefit both the QF and the ratepayer. By adjusting avoided cost rates more frequently, avoided costs become a truer reflection of the actual costs avoided by the utility and allow QFs and ratepayers to benefit from normal fluctuations in the market. Order No. 33357 at23 (emphasis in original). Further, the Commission recognized, and appropriately distinguished between the PURPA must purchase obligation and the proper price, terms, and conditions of that purchase in order to balance the interests of promoting QF development but still protecting customers. Second, shorter contract lengths do not ultimately prevent a QF from selling energy to a utility over the course of 20 years - or longer. PURPA's "must purchase" provision requires the utility to continue to purchase the QF's power. As long as projects continue to offer power to utilities, utilities must continue to purchase such power under PURPA. A shorter contract length merely functions as a reset for calculation of the avoided costs in order to maintain a more accurate reflection of the actual costs avoided by the utility over the long term. A change in the length of lRP-based contracts is not intended to be punitive to QFs. For several years this Commission has been adjusting terms and conditions of PURPA contracts in order to establish avoided cost rates that are just and reasonable to electric consumers, in the public interest, and not discriminatory against QFs. We find that a change in contract length aligns with the intent of PURPA, is consistent with FERC regulations and achieves an appropriate balance between the competing interests of protecting ratepayers and developing QF generation. ld. at23-25. Lastly, Simplot and Clearwater argue at the end of their Petition that the Commission's direction with regard to capacity sufficiency was not "advocated by any JOINT ANSWER TO PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION - 9 party" and therefore is "'not supported by substantial competent evidence on the record as a whole;' in fact it is not supported by any evidence on the record whatsoever." Petition at 16-17. This allegation is incorrect. The same and similar arguments set forth by Simplot and Clearwater in its Petition were argued before the Commission and in the record for this proceeding. Particularly with regard to the arguments raised regarding compensation for capacity that were thoroughly discussed by Mr. Wenner, a witness on behalf of the Idaho Conservation League and the Sierra Club. Tr. at 583-601. Mr. Wenneds positions were supported by Simplot and Clearwate/s witness, Dr. Reading. Tr. at 773-779. The Commission expressly recognized, considered, and acknowledged these arguments in its final order. Order No. 33357 at 9-10. Even if Simplot and Cleanryater were correct that the capacity sufficiency issue was not advocated by any party (which the Utilities do not concede), the Commission acted within its discretion. No court or regulatory body such as the Commission is strictly limited to directing relief in a matter before it only to the extent that such relief was exactly proposed or suggested by the parties. The Commission is free to act within its authority and discretion, based upon the evidence before it. Here, the Commission's direction as to capacity sufficiency is clearly within its authority and discretion to determine the proper avoided cost price for the implementation of PURPA in the state of ldaho. Simplot and Cleanruater fail to demonstrate that Order No. 33357 is unreasonable, unlawful, erroneous, or not in conformity with the law. RP 331.01. There is substantial and competent evidence in the record to support such decision. The Petition for Reconsideration should be denied. JOINT ANSWER TO PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION - 1O il. coNcLustoN The Commission properly found 2O-year contracts inconsistent with the public interest and reduced the maximum contract term to maintain a more accurate avoided cost estimate. The Commission properly found that the change in contract length aligns with the intent of PURPA, is consistent with FERC regulations, and achieves an appropriate balance between the competing interests of protecting utility customers and developing QF generation. Simplot and Clearwater have failed to demonstrate that the Commission's Order No. 33357 is unreasonable, unlawful, erroneous, or not in conformity with the law. RP 331.01. The Commission's Order No. 33357 is based upon substantial and competent evidence in the record. The Commission regularly pursued its authority and was acting within its discretion. Consequently, the Utilities respectfully request that the Commission deny Simplot and Clearwate/s Petition for Reconsideration. DATED at Boise, ldaho, this 17h day of September 2015. Attorney for ldaho Power Company Attomey for Avista Corporation Attorney for Rocky Mountain Power JOINT ANSWER TO PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION - 11 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that on the 17th day of September 20151 served a true and correct copy of JOINT ANSWER OF IDAHO POWER COMPANY, AVISTA CORPOMTION, AND ROCKY MOUNTAIN POWER TO J.R. SIMPLOT COMPANY AND CLEARWATER PAPER CORPORATION'S PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION upon the following named parties by the method indicated below, and addressed to the following: Commission Staff Donald L. Howell, ll Daphne Huang Deputy Attorneys General ldaho Public Utilities Commission 472 W est Washington (83702) P.O. Box 83720 Boise, ldaho 83720-007 4 J. R. Simplot Company and Cleanrater Paper Corporation Peter J. Richardson Gregory M. Adams RICHARDSON ADAMS, PLLC 515 North 27th Street (83702) P.O. Box 7218 Boise, ldaho 83707 Dr. Don Reading 6070 Hill Road Boise, ldaho 83703 Clearuyater Paper Corporation ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY Carol Haugen Clearwater Paper Corporation lntermountain Energy Partners, LLC; AgPower DCD, LLC; and AgPower Jerome, LLC Dean J. Miller McDEVITT & MILLER, LLP 420 West Bannock Street (83702) P.O. Box 2564 Boise, ldaho 83701 X Hand Delivered _U.S. Mail Overnight Mail FAXX Email don.howell@puc.idaho.qov daphne. huang@puc. idaho.oov Hand DeliveredX U.S. Mail _Overnight Mail _FAXX Email peter@richardsonadams.com q req@ richa rd so nadams. co m Hand Delivered U.S. Mail Overnight Mail FAX Email dreadinq@mindsprinq.com Hand Delivered U.S. Mail Overnight Mail FAXX Email carol.hauqen@cleanruaterpaper.com Hand Delivered U.S. Mail Overnight Mail FAX Email ioe@mcdevitt-miller.com heather@mcdevitt-m i I ler.com JOINT ANSWER TO PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION - 12 lntermountain Energy Partners, LLC Leif Elgethun, PE, LEED AP lntermountain Energy Partners, LLC P.O. Box 7354 Boise, ldaho 83707 AgPower DCD, LLC, and AgPower Jerome, LLC Andrew Jackura Camco Clean Energy 9360 Station Street, Suite 375 Lone Tree, Colorado 80124 ldaho Conservation League and Sierra Glub Benjamin J. Otto ldaho Conservation League 710 North 6th Street (83702) P.O. Box 844 Boise, ldaho 83701 Sierra Glub Matt Vespa Sierra Club 85 Second Street, Second Floor San Francisco, California 94105 Snake River Alliance Kelsey Jae Nunez Snake River Alliance 223 North 6th Street, Suite 317 P.O. Box 1731 Boise, ldaho 83701 ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY Ken Miller Snake River Alliance PacifiCorp d/b/a Rocky Mountain Power Daniel E. Solander Yvonne R. Hogle Rocky Mountain Power 201 South Main Street, Suite 24OO Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 Hand Delivered U.S. Mail Overnight Mail FAXX Email leif@sitebasedenerqv.com _Hand DeliveredX U.S. Mail _Ovemight Mail FAXX Email and rew. iackura@camcocleanenerqv.com Hand DeliveredX U.S. Mail _Overnight Mail _FAXX Email botto@ idahoconservatio n. o rq Hand DeliveredX U.S. Mail _Overnight Mail FAXX Email matt. vespa@sierracl u b. o rq Hand Delivered U.S. Mail Overnight Mail FAXX Email knunez@snakeriveralliance.orq Hand Delivered U.S. Mail Overnight Mail FAXX Email kmiller@snakeriveralliance.orq _Hand DeliveredX U.S. Mail _Overnight Mail _FAXX Email daniel.solander@pacificorp.com nronne. hoqle@pacificorp. com JOINT ANSWER TO PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION - 13 Ted Weston Rocky Mountain Power 201 South Main Street, Suite 2300 Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY Data Request Response Center PacifiCorp Twin Falls Ganal Gompany, North Side Canal Gompany, and American Falls Reservoir District No.2 C. Tom Arkoosh ARKOOSH LAW OFFICES 802 West Bannock Street, Suite 900 (83702) P.O. Box 2900 Boise, ldaho 83701 ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY Erin Cecil ARKOOSH LAW OFFICES Avista Gorporation Michae! G. Andrea Avista Corporation 1411 East Mission Avenue, MSC-23 Spokane, Washingto n 99202 Clint Kalich Avista Corporation 1411 East Mission Avenue, MSC-7 Spokane, Washington 99202 ldaho lrrigation Pumpers Association, lnc. Eric L. Olsen RACINE, OLSON, NYE, BUDGE & BAILEY CHARTERED 201 East Center P.O. Box 1391 Pocatello, ldaho 83204-1391 Hand Delivered U.S. Mail Overnight Mai! FAX Email ted.weston@pacificorp.com Hand Delivered U.S. Mail Overnight Mail FAX Email datarequest@pacificorp.com Hand Delivered U.S. Mail Overnight Mail FAXX Emai! tom.arkoosh@arkoosh.com Hand Delivered U.S. Mail Overnight Mail FAX Email erin.cecil@arkoosh.com Hand DeliveredX U.S. Mail Overnight Mail FAXX Email michael.andrea@avistacorp.com _Hand DeliveredX U.S. Mail _Overnight Mail FAX Email clint. kalich@avistacorp.com I i nda. qervais@avistacorp. com Hand DeliveredX U.S. Mail _Overnight Mail _FAXX Emai! elo@racinelaw.net JOINT ANSWER TO PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION - 14 Anthony Yankel 29814 Lake Road Bay Village, Ohio 44140 Renewable Energy Goalition Ronald L. Williams WILLIAMS BRADBURY, P.C. 1015 West Hays Street Boise, ldaho 83702 lrion Sanger SANGER LAW, P.C. 1117 SW 53'd Avenue Portland, Oregon 97215 The Amalgamated Sugar Company, LLC Scott Dale Blickenstaff The Amalgamated Sugar Company, LLC 1951 South Saturn Way, Suite 100 Boise, ldaho 83709 Micron Technology, lnc. Richard E. Malmgren Micron Technology, lnc. 800 South FederalWay Boise, ldaho 83716 Frederick J. Schmidt Pamela S. Howland HOLLAND & HART, LLP 377 South Nevada Street Carson City, Nevada 89703 Ecoplexus, Inc. John R. Hammond, Jr. FISHER PUSCH LLP U.S. Bank Plaza, Seventh Floor '101 South Capitol Boulevard, Suite 701 (83702) P.O. Box 1308 Boise, ldaho 83701 Hand DeliveredX U.S. Mail _Overnight Mail tonv@vankel.net Hand DeliveredX U.S. Mail Overnight Mail FAX Email ron@williamsbradburv.com Hand DeliveredX U.S. Mail _Overnight Mail _FAXX Email irion@sanqer-law.com Hand Delivered U.S. Mail Overnight Mail FAXX Email sblickenstaff@amalsuqar.com _Hand DeliveredX U.S. Mail _Overnight Mail _FAX Email remalmqren@micron.com Hand DeliveredX U.S. Mail _Overnight Mail _FAXX Email fschmidt@hollandhart.com phowland@ hol land hart.com Hand Delivered U.S. Mail Overnight Mail FAX Email irh@fisherpusch.com FAX Email JOINT ANSWER TO PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION - 15 John Gorman Ecoplexus, lnc. 650 Townsend Street, Suite 310 San Francisco, Califomia 94103 Hand DeliveredX U.S. Mail _Ovemight Mail_FAXX Email iohng@ecoplexus.com JOINT ANSWER TO PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION - 16