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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20161021Customer Notice.pdf~sqfllDAHO ~POWER. An IDACORP Company On Oct. 21, Idaho Power submitted two filings to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC). One is related to the company's coal-fired North Valmy Power Plant (Valmy) in Nevada, and the other addresses revisions to the company's depreciation rates. Valmy Accelerated Depreciable Life Idaho Power owns 50 percent of Val my, located near Battle Mountain, Nevada. The Valmy filing requests adjusting customer pricing to reflect an accelerated depreciable life for the power plant. Currently, the depreciable life for Val my is based on a depreciation schedule that ends in 2031 for Unit 1 and 2035 for Unit 2. The proposed depreciation schedule would move the date of full depreciation up to 2025 for both units. Idaho Power's 2016 assessment of Val my concluded it may not benefit customers from an economic and electric reliability perspective to operate the facility beyond 2025. This accelerated depreciation schedule is part of our commitment to a glide-path away from coal, and ensures that the remaining costs of Val my will be allocated to those customers who will benefit from this resource. The accelerated depreciation schedule for Val my requires advancing the recovery of the remaining plant investment costs. Similar to paying off a home or car loan early, costs are compressed into a shorter schedule. If Idaho Power uses a schedule that ends in 2025, it would result in a $28.5 million increase to accelerate recovery according to today's filing. This amount includes accelerated depreciation of the plant, decommissioning costs and capital investments forecasted through the remaining life of the plant. RECE IVED 20160CT 21 P· 3:09 Depreciation Study Every five years, Idaho Power files a depreciation study to adjust its depreciation rates to match the longevity it is currently experiencing for utility plant and equipment. Depreciation rates establish the amount of time over which Idaho Power recovers its investments in the electrical system through rates. The difference in depreciation expense included in current rates and depreciation expense reflected in today's filing is a $6.7 million increase. How These Filings Will Change Prices If the proposals are approved by the IPUC, the price Idaho customers pay for electric service will increase by about $35.2 million beginning June 1, 2017. The typical Idaho residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy per month will see an increase of about $3.08 on their monthly bill. This is an overall percentage increase of 3.10 percent from current prices. The actual percentage of change will depend on a customer's group and the rate it pays. REVENUE IMPACT BY CLASS: Percentage Change from Current Billed Revenue Small Large Large Overall Residential General General Power2 Irrigation Change Service Service1 Valmy 2.42% 2.30% 2.58% 2.58% 2.64% 2.51% Depreciable Lile Depreciation 0.57% 0.54% 0.60% 0.60% 0.62% 0.59% Study Filint Com ·ned 2.99% 2.84% 3.18% 3.18% 3.26% 3.10% ' Includes Lighting Schedules 'Includes Special Contracts Opportunities for Public Review Idaho Power's filing is a proposal that is subject to public review and approval by the IPUC. Copies of the application are available to the public at the IPUC offices (472 W. Washington St., Boise, Idaho, 83702), Idaho Power offices or on Idaho Power's website, idahopower.com, or the IPUC website, puc.idaho.gov. Customers also may subscribe to the IPUC's RSS feed to receive periodic updates via email about the case. Written comments regarding Idaho Power's application may be filed with the IPUC. You can view additional materials on the filing at idahopower.com/rates. We value your business and appreciate you taking the time to read this notice. Thank you. ~ fl Im. "JI YoulJII * Printed on recycled paper. ©2016 Idaho Power