MODPROC.docx

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF IDAHO POWER COMPANY FOR AUTHORITY TO INSTITUTE AN ALTERNATE DISTRIBU­TION SURCHARGE FOR SERVICE TO DEER POINT.
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CASE NO. IPC-E-95-3
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT/
PROTEST DEADLINE
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on April 21, 1995 Idaho Power Company (Idaho Power; Company) filed an Application with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (Commission).  The Company relates that it presently provides electrical service to 24 customers that primarily operate public and private radio and television transmitter sites at the top of a mountain ridge near the Bogus Basin Ski Resort commonly referred to as the Deer Point site.  Because of the remote location, the Company reports that electric service to the site has on occasion has been interrupted and a majority of the affected customers have requested a more reliable power supply source to the Deer Point site.  Idaho Power states that it can provide more reliable service by installing a second underground distribution line, as well as a new transfer switch and underground primary cable to loop feed the customers beyond the new switch.  Currently, the customers are served by a single distribution line and multiple radial feeds.  The new switch would be physically located closer to customer loads.  Additionally, Idaho Power would interconnect the new transfer switch with the Boise Dispatch Center, which would allow the Company’s dispatchers to monitor the switching activity.
Total cost of the project, the Company estimates, will be $93,211.  Assuming that all Deer Point customers will be required by the Commission to contribute to the construction costs the Company and the affected customer group have agreed (although apparently not unanimously) that the customers’ share should be $42,784.  Each customer’s share was calculated using a ratio of the average of the three highest billing demands over a 13-month period for each account to the sum of averages for all accounts.
The Company reports that some customers may refuse to make a contribution.  Others may desire to pay their contribution over time.  For customers not paying their full allocable share of the cost or the upgrade up front, Idaho Power proposes a monthly charge equal to 1/24th of their allocated cost plus interest (presently 12% per annum as provided in IPCo’s tariff Schedule 66 § 4) on outstanding balances.  The Company proposes to follow its standard collection procedures including disconnection for non-payment.  In the event of a transfer of ownership prior to full payment, the Company proposes that the obligation be transferred to succeeding customers.  New customers requesting service at Deer Point within two years from date of upgrade completion will be required to contribute an allocable share based on connected load and all existing customers will be credited when the payment is received by the Company.
Idaho Power requests that the Commission approve the Company’s line extension proposal for service to Deer Point and approve the alternate distribution surcharge for service to Deer Point.
The Company’s filing in this docket is available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission Office and at the offices of the Idaho Power Company.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has reviewed the filings of record in Case No. IPC-E-95-3.  The Commission has preliminarily determined that the public interest may not require a hearing to consider the issues presented and that the issues raised by the Company’s filing may be processed under Modified Procedure, i.e., by written submission rather than by hearing.  Reference Commission Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.201 through -204.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission will not hold a hearing in this proceeding unless it receives written protests or comments opposing the use of Modified Procedure and stating why Modified Procedure should not be used.  Reference IDAPA 31.01.01.203.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the deadline for filing written comments or protests with respect to the Company’s filing and the use of Modified Procedure in Case No. IPC-E-95-3 is Wednesday, June 6, 1995.  Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written protests or comments.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written protests or comments are received within the deadline, the Commission may consider the matter and enter its order without a hearing.  If comments or protests are filed within the deadline, the Commission will consider them and may set the matter for hearing or may decide the matter and issue its Order on the basis of the written positions before it.  Reference IDAPA 31.01.01.204.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that written comments concerning Case No. IPC-E-95-3 must be mailed to:
COMMISSION SECRETARY
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, ID  83720-0074
Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W Washington ST
Boise, ID  83702-5983
All comments filed should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this document.
DATED at Boise, Idaho this            day of May 1995.
Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary
vld/N-IPC-E-95-3.sw