MODPROC.docx

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF IDAHO POWER COMPANY FOR AN AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY NO. 272.
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CASE NO. IPC-E-95-6
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED    
    PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT/
    PROTEST DEADLINE
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on June 2, 1995 Idaho Power Company (Idaho Power; Company) filed an Application with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (Commission) requesting an amendment to its Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity No. 272 deleting its prior authorization to construct a new 138 kV transmission line from the Wood River substation to the Ketchum substation in Blaine County.  The prior authorization was obtained from the Commission in 1973 in Order No. 11315, Case No. U-1006-89.  The purpose of the proposed line was to provide backup service for the existing Wood River/Ketchum 138 kV transmission line which runs along the east end of the Wood River Valley.  
Based on an extensive reassessment of the feasibility and need for an additional 138 kV Wood River/Ketchum transmission line, the Company concludes that the line is not needed.  The reassessment study performed by the Company includes a review of both the capacity requirements and the reliability requirements for Idaho Power’s electric service to the Ketchum/Sun Valley area.  
Regarding capacity, the Company contends that based on current projections the existing 138 kV Wood River/Ketchum transmission line has sufficient capacity to meet the area’s electric needs for the foreseeable future.  The Company states that it will continue to monitor area load growth and make modifications when necessary.  
Regarding reliability, Idaho Power reports that it has thoroughly reviewed the reliability of its electric service to the Ketchum/Sun Valley area.  The Wood River/Ketchum 138 kV transmission line, the Company contends, has had an excellent record of reliability since its construction in 1962 (only two unplanned outages in the past 14 years, for a total duration of only three minutes).  Nonetheless, the Company states that it has taken a number of steps to further improve the reliability of the line including the following: structural assessment, electrical assessment, fire protection, avalanche study, conductor assessment, maintenance plan and emergency action plan.
 The Company reports that it has also recently completed an extensive public participation process regarding the possible construction of a second 138 kV transmission line from the Wood River substation to the Ketchum substation.  The Company received input from public officials and citizens of the area.  The overwhelming response from the parties commenting, the Company states, was that, despite the unavoidable risk of an outage to the existing transmission line, the proposed transmission line should not be built.  The reasons for public opposition to the line include the difficulty of finding an acceptable route for the transmission line, aesthetic impacts, health and safety concerns, and the excessive cost of burying part or all of the line.  Idaho Power reports that it has been unsuccessful in obtaining the necessary rights-of-way for the additional 138 kV Wood River/Ketchum transmission line.  
Based on the Company’s need analysis and public comments, Idaho Power concludes that construction of an additional 138 kV transmission line from the Wood River substation to the Ketchum substation is not feasible at this time.  The Company reports that it will continue to monitor the condition of the existing Wood River/Ketchum transmission line, the increase in load growth in the Ketchum/Sun Valley area, and the feasibility of obtaining the required right-of-way and public permits for a second 138 kV line.
Because the project, the Company concludes, is neither needed nor feasible, the Company requests authority to amend its Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity No. 272 by removing the language authorizing the construction by Idaho Power of a second Wood River/Ketchum 138 kV transmission line.  Reference Case No. U-1006-89, Order No. 11315.  
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has reviewed the filings of record in Case No. IPC-E-95-6.  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-95-6 is Friday, July 14, 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 will consider the matter on its merits and enter its order without a formal hearing.  If comments or protests are filed within the deadline, the Commission will consider them and in its discretion 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-95-6 should be mailed to the Commission and the Company at the addresses reflected below:
COMMISSION SECRETARYLarry D. Ripley
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSIONPatrick A. Harrington
PO BOX 83720IDAHO POWER COMPANY
BOISE, ID  83720-0074PO Box 70
Boise, ID  83707
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 June 1995.
Chris Maschmann
Assistant Commission Secretary
vld/N-IPC-E-95-6.sw2