20231031Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM 1
DECISION MEMORANDUM

TO: COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSIONER HAMMOND
COMMISSIONER LODGE
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL

FROM: CHRIS BURDIN
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL

DATE: OCTOBER 31, 2023

SUBJECT: IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF IDAHO POWER
COMPANY FOR AUTHORITY TO INCREASE ITS RATES AND
CHARGES FOR ELECTRIC SERVICE IN THE STATE OF IDAHO AND
FOR ASSOCIATED REGULATORY ACCOUNT TREATMENT; CASE
NO. IPC-E-23-11.

On June 1, 2023, Idaho Power Company (“Company”) filed an application (“Application”)
with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”) requesting authority to increase its
rates and charges for electric service to its customers in the State of Idaho and for associated
regulatory accounting treatment. The Company requested a July 1, 2023, effective date.
On June 23, 2023, the Commission issued a Notice of Application, Notice of Suspension
of Proposed Effective Date, and Notice of Intervention Deadline. Order No. 35825. The
Commission granted intervention to: Clean Energy Opportunities for Idaho; Idaho Irrigation
Pumpers Association, Inc.; Industrial Customers of Idaho Power; Micron Technology, Inc.; the
city of Boise City; the United States Department of Energy on behalf of the Federal Executive
Agencies; Idaho Conservation League; Idaho Hydroelectric Power Producers Trust d/b/a
IdaHydro; NW Energy Coalition; and Walmart Inc. (collectively, the “Intervenors”). Order Nos.
35823; 35840; 35850; 35867, and 35901. On August 2, 2023, the Commission issued a Notice of
Schedule, Notice of Virtual Public Workshops, and Notice of Technical Hearing. Order No. 35873.
On September 18, October 4, and October 5, 2023, Commission Staff (“Staff”), the
Company, and all Intervenors participated in settlement conferences. Based upon those settlement
conferences, at the Commission’s October 10, 2023, decision meeting, Staff informed the
Commission that Staff believes a settlement has been reached in principle (“Proposed
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2
Settlement”), and Staff requested that the Commission vacate the written testimony deadlines until
such time as a Proposed Settlement is filed for Commission approval, or the Commission is
informed that a Proposed Settlement will not be filed. On October 11, 2023, the Commission
issued an Order Vacating Testimony Deadlines. Order No. 35954.
On October 27, 2023, the Company filed a Stipulation and Settlement (“Proposed
Settlement”) and a Motion for Approval of Stipulation and Settlement (“Motion”). The Proposed
Settlement was signed by Staff, the Company, and all Intervenors (collectively “the Parties”).
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Commission issue a Notice of Proposed Settlement and Notice
of Schedule setting a November 15, 2023, all party testimony deadline, a November 22, 2023,
rebuttal testimony deadline, a November 27, 2023 customer hearing in Twin Falls, a November
28, 2023, customer hearing in Boise and customer comment deadline, and a technical hearing for
November 29, 2023, which would be continued on November 30, 2023 and December 1, 2023, if
necessary.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to issue a Notice of Proposed Settlement and establish the
procedural schedule described above?

__________________________
Chris Burdin
Deputy Attorney General

I:\Legal\ELECTRIC\IPC-E-23-11_Rates\memos\IPCE2311_dec5_cb.docx