20200317Notice_of_Modified_Procedure_Order_No_34598.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
March 17,2020
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION )CASE NO.IPC-E-19-20
OF IDAHO POWER FOR APPROVAL OF )THE CAPACITY DEFICIENCY TO BE )NOTICE OF MODIFIED
UTILIZED FOR AVOIDED-COST )PROCEDURE
CALCULATIONS )
ORDER NO.34598
On June 28,2019,Idaho Power Company ("Company")filed an Application requesting
the Commission approve a first capacity deficit date of July 2029 to be used in avoided-cost
calculations under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978.
The Company subsequently filed a letter in IPC-E-19-19 stating that the Company
would need to conduct supplemental analyses to verify the accuracy of the Company's 2019
Integrated Resource Plan ("IRP").The IRP is relevant to the Company's first capacity deficit date.
Therefore,the Commission issued a Notice of Application but stated that no further action would
be taken until the Company submitted its amended 2019 IRP.Order No.34411.
On January 31,2020,the Company submitted its amended 2019 IRP.
The Commission now issues this Notice of Modified Procedure and establishes a
deadline for comments on whether the Company must make its capacity deficiency filing when it
files its IRP,or whether the Company must make its capacity deficiency filing after the
Commission acknowledges its IRP.The Commission will establish procedure and timelines for
processing this case after it makes the preliminary determination of when the Company should file
its capacity deficiency cases.
BACKGROUND
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that in Order No.32697,Case No.GNR-E-11-03,
the Commission established the requirement that Idaho utilities submit a case to determine their
respective first capacity deficiency dates for the Surrogate Avoided Resource method of
determining avoided-cost rates when the utilities file their IRPs.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that in its Application,the Company states,"In
Order No.33159,the Commission found it just and reasonable to utilize the same first capacity
deficit determination for purposes of the incremental cost IRP methodology."
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34598 1
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that in Order No.33917,in PAC-E-17-09,the
Commission found it reasonable to postpone the utilities'capacity deficiency date filings until
after the Commission had acknowledged the Company's IRP."We therefore amend Order No.
32697 to direct utilities to file their first capacity deficiency cases after the Commission has
acknowledgedtheir IRP reports."Order No.33917.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Staff,in response to and consistent with Order
No.33917,recommended that the Commission dismiss the Company's filing until after
acknowledgment of the Company's IRP.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company requested an opportunity to
respond to Staff's recommendation.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has determinedthat 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 31.01.01.201-204.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 the
proper time to file the Application may file a written comment with the Commission within 14
days of the service date of this Order.The comment 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 may be mailed to the
Commission and Idaho Power at the addresses reflected below:
Commission Secretary Donovan E.Walker,Attorney
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Regulatory Dockets
PO Box 83720 Michael Darrington
Boise,ID 83720-0074 Energy Contracts
Idaho Power Company
Street Address for Express Mail:1221 West Idaho Street (83702)
PO Box 70
11331 W.Chinden Blvd.Boise,ID 83707
Bldg.8,Ste.201-A.
Boise,Idaho 83714 E-mail:a o
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34598 2
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 ''
.Click the "Case Comment 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 persons may file reply comments,if necessary,
no later than 21 days from the service date of this Order.
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.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this preliminary procedural matter regarding the
Application of Idaho Power for approval of the capacity deficiency to be utilized for avoided-cost
calculations be processed by modified procedure,IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that persons interested in submitting written comments
regarding the correct time to file capacity deficit cases must do so within 14 days of the service
date of this Order.Persons interested in submitting reply comments must do so no later than 21
days from the service date of this Order.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Commission will establish a schedule for
comments on the merits of the Company's Application followingdetermination of the correct time
to file.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34598 3
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this 17
day of March,2020.
PAUL KJELLAN ÉÀ,PRESIDENT
KR MMISSIONER
ERIC ANDERSON,COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
Diane M.Hanian
Commission Secretary
I:\Legal\ELECTRIC\IPC-E-19-20\IPCE1920_ntemodproc_ej
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34598 4