WRKSHP.docx

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BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE COMMISSION’S INVESTIGATION INTO CHANGES OCCURRING IN THE ELECTRIC INDUSTRY.
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CASE NO. GNR-E-96-1
NOTICE OF WORKSHOP
On February 14, 1996, this Commission conducted the first of two workshops scheduled in this case to identify and discuss issues related to the changes occurring within the electric utility industry.  As a result of that workshop, the Commission has identified the following issues it wishes to address at the next workshop scheduled for March 19, 1996.  Those parties who intend to participate in that workshop are directed to focus their comments and input on these issues.
Issue No. 1: Will there be core customers dependent on a single electric utility for all of their electric service needs and for whom the Commission must assure that electric service shall continue to be reasonably available, reliable and safe?
-Should standards of service be established for this core customer group?
-If so, what should those standards be?
-Should the service-quality standards for customers choosing to obtain power from alternative suppliers differ from the standards found appropriate for the core customer group?
-If so, how?
-Should there be pre-determined consequences for failure to meet those standards?
Issue No. 2: Can future electric markets be structured so that the consequences of competition are spread fairly among all customer classes?  
-How will competition benefit customer classes other than large industrials?
-Will future markets allow for exclusive service territories of electric utilities?
-Should there be an exit or re-entry fee for customers who select a supplier other than the serving utility?
-What will be the duty of a distribution utility to provide service to any particular customer or class?
-What, if any, safeguards are necessary to ensure that the serving utility is allowed to earn a reasonable return on its investment?
Issue No.3:  How can it be assured that society continues to enjoy long-term benefits attributable to resource diversity and energy efficiency?
-What should the Commission’s role be in the resource planning process of regulated utilities?
-What safeguards are necessary to ensure that utilities regulated by the Commission are not restrained from competing effectively in the open market with respect to resource acquisition decisions?
The parties are directed to consider and indicate whether, in their opinion, it would be necessary to change the existing regulatory and legal framework in which regulated electric utilities currently operate in this State, in order for the Commission to adequately resolve the foregoing issues.
DATED at Boise, Idaho this                  day of  March 1996.
MYRNA J. WALTERS
COMMISSION SECRETARY
Vld/N:gnr-e-96-1.bp
COMMENTS AND ANNOTATIONS
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Service Date
March 13, 1996