19981029.docx

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER HANSEN
COMMISSIONER NELSON
COMMISSIONER SMITH
MYRNA WALTERS
TONYA CLARK
BILL EASTLAKE
DON HOWELL
STEPHANIE MILLER
DAVE SCHUNKE
RANDY LOBB
TERRI CARLOCK
DAVID SCOTT
WORKING FILE
FROM:BRAD PURDY
DATE:OCTOBER 29, 1998
RE:CASE NO. IPC-E-98-12; APPLICATION OF IDAHO POWER COMPANY TO USE ITS 1997 REVENUE SHARING BALANCE TO FUND 1997 AND 1998 PAYMENTS TO THE NORTHWEST ENERGY EFFICIENCY ALLIANCE
On October 13, 1998, the Idaho Power Company (Idaho Power; Company) filed an Application for an Order authorizing the Company to use a portion of its 1997 revenue sharing balance to fund the Company’s 1997 and 1998 payments to the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA).
In support of its Application, Idaho Power contends that the Commission, in prior Orders, approved the Company’s participation in NEEA and authorized Idaho Power to capitalize and defer the recovery of its investment until additional data regarding the prudence of the various NEEA programs is available.
Idaho Power states that it has participated in NEEA and has made payments to that organization for the years 1997 and 1998 totaling $2,432,085.75 for the Idaho jurisdiction.  Idaho Power proposes to fund the aforementioned expenditures out of the Company’s remaining 1997  unappropriated revenue sharing balance.  Idaho Power proposes that the prospective 1999 NEEA payments be funded out of the 1998 revenue sharing balance if sufficient funds are available.  If not, the Company will apply to the Commission for a funding resolution for the 1999 payments.
In further support of its Application, Idaho Power filed the testimony of Margaret Gardner, Executive Director of NEEA and Company employees Darlene Nemnich and Gregory Said.
Idaho Power has requested that its application be processed under Modified Procedure.  Given the fact that the Company’s intitial NEEA filing was contested by several parties and questions regarding procedure were raised, Staff recommends that a hearing be conducted.
Commission Decision
Does the Commission wish to process Idaho Power’s Application under Modified Procedure or schedule a formal hearing in this matter?  

Brad Purdy
M:IPC-E-98-12.bp3