20200110Decision Memo.pdf

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DECISION MENTORANDUNI
CON{MISSIOn*IiR ru U LLA NDER
COMMISSIONER RAPER
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSION SI'CRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
EDWARD.IEWEI,I,
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE: JANUARY 10,2019
SUBJECT: IN THE MATTER OF IDAHO POWER,S APPI,ICATION TO
EVALUATE SCHEDUI-E 84 - NET METERING; CASE NO. IPC-E-19-15.
On April 5,2019, the Company filed an Application requesting the Commission
initiate a collaborative process to study the continued reasonableness of terms in Schedule 84 for
commercial, industrial, and irrigation C'CI&[ ') net metering customers. The Company requested
Schedule 84 be suspended to new applicants as of April 5, 2019 while the case was processed.
On April 18, 2019, the Commission issued a Notice of Application and Notice of
Procedural Comment Deadline. Order No. 34315. The Commission determined the Company
had not demonstrated Schedule 84 should be closed to new applicants during the pendency ofthe
case, and therefore suspended the Company's proposed effective date. Id.i Order No. 34335.
By statute, the maximum amount of time the Commission could initially suspend the proposed
effective date was for 5 months plns 30 days. Idaho Code i 6l-622(4). The Commission
suspended the effective date for the maximum initial statutory amount, which was until October
7,2019.
On September lO, 2019, the Company submitted a letter consenting to extend the
suspension of the proposed effective date until November 15,2019.
On November 15,2019, the Commission issued a Notice of Continued Suspension of
Effective Date, which suspended the proposed effective date for sixty days, until January 14,
202O, in order for the parties to continue to pursue settlement. OrderNo.34488.
Parties to IPC-E- 18- l5 were able to achieve a Settlement Agreement, which was
submitted to the Cornmission on October ll, 2019. On December 20, 2019, the Commission
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DECISION MF,MORANDUM
IrROt\{:
rejected the proposed Settlement Agrecment in IPC-E-18-15 upon finding the public was not on
adequate notice that fundamental changes to the net metering program might result from the
docket, that the record did not support approval of the Settlement Agreement, and that a
settlement without a comprehcnsive study did not comply with the Cornmission's directive in
Order No. 34046. Ordcr No. 34509.
Findings in IPC-E-18-15 are to he presumptively reasonahle, though not binding in
this docket. Order No. 34335. The parties in IPC-E-19-15 have not yet met to discuss what
impact Order No. 34509 will have on this docket. Pursuant to ldaho Code $ 6l-622(4), Staff
requests an extension of an additional sixty days in order to give the parties an opportunity to
determine the proper course of action in light of Order No. 34509.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Commission suspend the effcctivc date in this case for an
additional sixty days, until March 16, 2020.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to suspcnd the effective date in this case for an additional
sixty days, until March 16,2O2O'!
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Edward J.
Deputy Atto General
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2DECISIOn* MEMORANDUM
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