20160707notice_of_application_order_no_33553.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
July 7,2016
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF IDAHO POWER )
COMPANY’S APPLICATION TO MODIFY )CASE NO.IPC-E-16-13
OPTIONAL SCHEDULE 62,GREEN )
ENERGY PURCHASE PROGRAM RIDER )NOTICE OF APPLICATION
)
)NOTICE OF
)MODIFIED PROCEDURE
)
____________________________
)ORDER NO.33553
On June 22,2016,Idaho Power Company filed an Application with the Commission
to modify its Schedule 62,the Green Energy Purchase Program.The proposed modifications do
not change customer rates associated with the ongoing funding of the Program,but change the
Program’s pricing structure,renewable energy credits (RECs)sourcing and certification,and the
treatment of certain program expenses.Idaho Power asked that the case be processed by
Modified Procedure,and that the proposed modifications become effective 60 days after
Commission approval,to allow adequate time to reprogram and test its billing system in
accordance with the Commission’s Order.The Commission now issues this Notice.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Commission approved Idaho Power’s
Schedule 62 Green Power Program in February 2001,as “an optional program to allow
customers and non-customer participants to participate in the purchase of new environmentally
friendly green energy.”Order No.28655;Application at 2 (footnotes omitted).Participants’
contributions to the Program go towards the purchase of Green-c certified renewable energy
credits (RECs).Application at 2.“A REC is created when a megawatt-hour (MWh)of
renewable energy is produced and delivered to the grid.”Id.It is “a tradable,non-tangible
commodity that represents the environmental attributes associated with one MWh of electricity
generated from a renewable energy resource and can be sold separately from the electricity
commodity.”Id.According to the Application,“Green-c Energy is the nation’s leading
independent certification and verification program for renewable energy.”Id.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.33553 1
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Idaho Power’s Application seeks approval of
proposed modifications to the Program.Idaho Power states that the proposed changes are in
response to customer input,received during meetings with the Company from February 2014 to
early 2016.Id.at 3.The Company states that the changes are intended to “satisfy changes in
customer preference ...[andj align the Green Power Program with the best practices of other
green programs in the industry.”Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the proposed modifications include:(1)
existing Dollar Contribution Method would be replaced with both a block option and a 100
percent of usage option;(2)the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF),which facilitates
the purchase of green energy for the Program,would give preference to RECs from sources
located closest to or within Idaho Power’s service territory,when possible;(3)Idaho Power
would seek Green-c certification of the RECs purchased through BEF;(4)up to 15 percent of the
total Program funds would be used for Program marketing expenses,to allow the Company to
reach more customers.Id.at 2-5.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application,proposed modified Schedule
62,and testimony of Peter Pengilly have been filed with the Commission and are available for
public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission offices.The Application and
attachments are also available on the Commission’s web site at www.puc.idaho.gov.Click on
the “File Room”tab at the top of the page,scroll down to “Open Electric Cases,”then click on
either case number as shown on the front of this document.
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 3 1.01.01.201-204.The Commission notes that Modified Procedure and
written comments have proven to be an effective means for obtaining public input and
participation.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that any person desiring to state a position on this
Application may file a written comment in support or in opposition with the Commission no
later than August 3,2016.The comment must contain a statement of reasons supporting the
comment.Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.33553 2
comments.Written comments concerning this Application may be mailed to the Commission
and Idaho Power at the addresses reflected below:
Commission Secretary Lisa D.Nordstrom
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Matt Larkin
P0 Box 83720 Peter Pengilly
Boise,ID 83720-0074 Idaho Power Company
1221 W.Idaho St.
Street Address for Express Mail:P0 Box 70
Boise,ID 83707-0070
472 W.Washington Street E-mail:lnordstrom(àidahopower.com
Boise,ID 83702-5918 [e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
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 form using the case number as it appears on
the front of this document.These comments must also be sent to the Company at the e-mail
addresses listed above.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Idaho Power may file reply comments,if
necessary,no later than August 10,2016.
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 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 §61-503,6 1-622.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be
conducted pursuant to the Commission’s Rules of Procedure,IDAPA 3 1.01.01.000,etseq.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDERNO.33553 3
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this case be processed under Modified Procedure.
Interested persons may file written comments by no later than August 3,2016.Idaho Power may
file a reply,if necessary,no later than August 10,2016.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this P1
day of July 2016.
ATTEST:
4\)/11
(qan D.Jewell /commission Secretary
PAUl.KJ1,L[.ANDER.PRFSIDIENT
-UQ
KRI INE RAPER,COMMISSIONER
O:IPC-E-16-l3djh
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.33553
ERIC COMMISSIONER
4