HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210917Decision Memo.pdfDECISION MEMORANDUM 1
DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO: COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER RAPER
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
FROM: JOHN R. HAMMOND JR.
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE: SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
SUBJECT: IDAHO POWER’S PETITION FOR APPROVAL OF A CUSTOMER
SURCHARGE AND MODIFIED LINE ROUTE CONFIGURATION FOR
CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW 138 KV TRANSMISSION LINE IN THE
WOOD RIVER VALLEY; CASE NO. IPC-E-21-25.
On August 6, 2021, Idaho Power Company (“Company”) petitioned the Commission
for an order: 1) approving a proposed surcharge for the Company’s customers in Blaine County to
pay for additional undergrounding of a previously approved transmission line; (2) approving the
modifications to the line route previously approved by the Certificate of Public Convenience and
Necessity (“CPCN”) in Order No. 33872; and (3) finding that the Commission’s findings and
directives from the CPCN, Order No. 33872, as well as the order requested in this case, carries
with it the express authority over any action or order of other government agencies or local
governments that are in conflict with such orders of the Commission pursuant to Idaho Code § 67-
6528. In support of the Petition, the Company filed the direct testimony of Ryan Adelman, Vice
President of Power Supply, regarding the Company’s local permitting activities with Blaine
County, Idaho, as well as the proposed line route and configuration; and the direct testimony of
Timothy Tatum, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, regarding the proposed surcharge amounts
and calculation methodology. The Company has requested that its Petition be processed by
Modified Procedure.
On September 2, 2021, the Commission granted intervention into this case to the Blaine
County Board of County Commissioners and Kiki Leslie A. Tidwell, pro se. See Order No 35154.
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff has reviewed the Petition and recommends that the Commission issue a Notice of
Application and set a 21-day intervention deadline. Staff also recommends that the Commission
direct Staff to work informally with the parties to discuss scheduling and other matters that may
arise, and for Staff to then report to the Commission with a proposed schedule.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to issue a Notice of Application and set a 21-day
intervention deadline? Does the Commission also wish to direct Staff to work informally with the
parties to discuss scheduling and other matters that may arise, and for Staff to then report to the
Commission with a proposed schedule?
John R. Hammond Jr.
Deputy Attorney General
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