20230201Notice_of_Application_Order_No_35674.pdf

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 35674 1
Office of the Secretary
Service Date
February 1, 2023
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF IDAHO POWER
COMPANY’S APPLICATION FOR A
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC
CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY FOR THE
BOARDMAN TO HEMINGWAY 500-KV
TRANSMISSION LINE
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
CASE NO. IPC-E-23-01

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

NOTICE OF INTERVENTION
DEADLINE

ORDER NO. 35674

On January 9, 2023, Idaho Power Company (“Company” or “Idaho Power”) applied to the
Idaho Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”) requesting an order granting a Certificate of
Public Convenience and Necessity (“CPCN”) for the purpose of constructing “a 300-mile long,
overhead 500-kV high voltage line” (“Application”). Application at 1. In support of its
Application, the Company filed the Direct Testimony of two employees. The Company asked for
an order approving its Application by June 30, 2023.
With this Order, the Commission provides notice of the Company’s Application and sets a
deadline for interested parties to intervene.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the line would be between the proposed Longhorn
Substation near Boardman, Oregon, and the Hemingway Substation in southwest Idaho (“B2H
line”). The Company asserted that the B2H line would be crucial to meet the Company’s capacity
deficiency in 2026. The Company asserts that it must begin construction of the B2H line in the
summer of 2023 to meet its obligation to reliably service customers and is necessary to provide
adequate service to its customers in 2026 and thereafter.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company stated that the B2H line has been
identified as a cost-effective resource in the Company’s Integrated Resource Plans since 2009. The
Company further stated that the B2H line is “the lowest-cost alternative to serve Idaho Power’s
customers in Idaho and Oregon.” Id. at 4.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company stated that the existing Boise to
McNary line was insufficient to accommodate the expanded transmission that the Company
expects. The Company stated that the B2H line would add needed capacity to the Idaho/Northwest

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 35674 2
path. Specifically, the Company stated that the line would add “1,050 [(megawatts (“MW”)] of
capacity in the west-to-east direction” and “1,000 MW of capacity in the east-to-west” direction.
Id. at 7. The Company suggested that the B2H line would thus facilitate synergy between
Bonneville Power Administration’s (“BPA(s)”) winter focused capacity needs and Idaho Power’s
summer focused capacity needs. Id. at 12.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company asserted that it conducted various
forms of community outreach to inform—and seek feedback from—those who will be affected by
the Company’s proposed project. The Company asserted that it collectively held dozens of various
types of meetings, and that nearly 1,000 people attended them. The Company stated that this
outreach helped inform the proposed B2H route.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company asserted that the Bureau of Land
Management (“BLM”) granted a right-of-way necessary to construct and maintain the B2H line
on BLM land.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company stated that its original ownership
share was 21.21% of the B2H line; BPA’s original ownership share was 24.24%; and PacifiCorp’s
original ownership share was 54.55%. Idaho Power represents that it and BPA have agreed that
“Idaho Power will increase its B2H project ownership from 21.21[%] to 45.45[%] by acquiring
BPA’s B2H project capacity.” Id. Idaho Power stated that in January of 2023 the parties
“conclude[ed] negotiations on final agreements that memorialize and effectuate the changes in
ownership.”1 Id. Additionally, Idaho Power has entered into an agreement with PacifiCorp that
there will be undivided ownership of certain assets on the B2H line.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company estimated that its most cost-effective
portfolio without the B2H line is still approximately $266 million more expensive than the
Company’s preferred portfolio (which includes the B2H line).

1 Idaho Power and BPA have agreed that the parties will take the next steps in executing these agreements after BPA’s
public outreach process is complete in approximately March of 2023. Idaho Power will compensate BPA for BPA’s
permitting interest and the costs that BPA expended to get those permits; Idaho Power will also take on BPA’s
obligation to fund 24.24% of the B2H line. Idaho Power will pay for the value of BPA’s permitting costs over time.
After these agreements have been executed and BPA’s ownership interest has been acquired by Idaho Power, Idaho
Power would then use the B2H line to provide transmission service to BPA’s customers. Direct Testimony of Jared
L. Ellsworth, 8-15; See Application at 12-13.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 35674 3
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company asserted that it will pay for its share
of the B2H line’s cost through a “combination of available cash and operating cash flow, available
facilities and borrowing and debt issuances, and potential future equity issuances.” Id. at 16.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED the Company requests that the Commission find that
Idaho Power has met the requirements of Idaho Code § 61-526 and issue an order granting a CPCN
to construct the B2H line to meet the identified capacity deficiency in 2026. The Company asserts
it will make a future filing to address the cost recovery associated with the B2H line.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company’s Application and accompanying
information are available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission’s
office. These documents are also available on the Commission’s homepage at
www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on the “ELECTRIC” tab in the left-hand column of the homepage, then
select “Open Cases” and then locate and click on the case number as shown on the front of this
document.
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.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be conducted
under the Commission’s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000, et seq.
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons desiring to intervene in this matter to
obtain parties’ rights of participation must file a Petition to Intervene with the Commission
pursuant to this Commission’s Rules of Procedure 72 and 73, IDAPA 31.01.01.072 and
.073. Persons who wish to intervene as a party must file a Petition to Intervene no later than
21 days after the date of service of this Order. Such persons shall also provide the Commission
Secretary with their email address to facilitate further communications. After the intervention
deadline runs, the Commission Secretary shall issue a Notice of Parties that identifies the parties
and assigns exhibit numbers to each party. Once the Notice of Parties has issued, Commission
Staff shall informally confer with the Company and any intervening parties about how to further
process this case and shall then report back to the Commission on a proposed case schedule.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 35674 4
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons who would like to present their views
without parties’ rights of participation and cross-examination do not have to intervene but may
present their views by submitting written comments to the Commission.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the following persons are designated as the
Company’s representatives in this matter:

Donovan E. Walker
Tim Tatum
1221 W. Idaho Street (83702)
P.O. Box 70
Boise, ID 83707
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that persons desiring to intervene in this case for the purpose
of obtaining parties’ rights of participation must file a Petition to Intervene with the Commission,
under Rules 72 and 73, IDAPA 31.01.01.72-73, no later than 21 days after the service date of this
Order.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that parties comply with Order No. 35375, issued April 21,
2022. Generally, all pleadings should be filed with the Commission electronically and will be
deemed timely filed when received by the Commission Secretary. See Rule 14.02. Service between
parties should continue to be accomplished electronically when possible. However, voluminous
discovery-related documents may be filed and served on CD-ROM or a USB flash drive.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 35674 5

DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 1st day of
February 2023.

ERIC ANDERSON, PRESIDENT

JOHN R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:

________________________________
Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secretary

I:\Legal\ELECTRIC\IPC-E-23-01 CPCN\ORDERS\IPCE2301_Ntc_App_Int_md.docx