20010425Extend Deadline.doc

JOHN R. HAMMOND
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
[phone]
Idaho State Bar No. 5470

Street Address for Express Mail

472 W. Washington Street
Boise, Idaho 83702-5838

Attorney for the Commission Staff

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF PACIFICORP FOR AN ACCOUNTING ORDER AUTHORIZING ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGULATORY ASSET OR LIABILITY FOR DEFERRAL OF THE EFFECTS OF CERTAIN DERIVATIVE AND HEDGING FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING RULES. )
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
CASE NO. PAC-E-01-5

MOTION TO SUSPEND COMMENT DEADLINE AND ISSUANCE OF A FINAL ORDER
COMES NOW the Commission Staff of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, by and through its attorney of record, John R. Hammond, Deputy Attorney General, and files this Motion and supporting Affidavit of Terri Carlock, Audit Section Supervisor for the Commission, to suspend the written comment deadline and issuance of a final order indefinitely until the information requested by the Commission Staff from PacifiCorp is received.
On March 30, 2001, PacifiCorp filed its Application requesting that the Commission issue an order authorizing the establishment of a regulatory asset or regulatory liability associated with the implementation of Financial Accounting Standards 133 and 138 (FAS-133/138), Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities for its electric portfolio. FAS-133 was issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in June 1998. It was later amended by FAS-138 in June 2000. PacifiCorp states that these rules must be adopted by all companies with calendar year-ends on January 1, 2001. PacifiCorp’s fiscal year ends March 31, so the Company must adopt this standard no later than April 1, 2001.
On April 5, 2001, the Commission issued the Notice of Application and Notice of Modified Procedure. Order No. 28697. In this Order the Commission established a written comment deadline of April 26, 2001 and suspended the issuance of a final order in this case until April 30, 2001. Order 28697 at pp. 2-3.
On April 5, 2001, the Commission Staff also made an informal request for information on contracts subject to FAS 133/138 from PacifiCorp so that it could better evaluate the Company’s Application. Currently, PacifiCorp has not provided Staff with the information it requested. In discussions with Company officials Staff believes this information will be provided to it in the near future. However, without this information Staff does not believe that it can sufficiently evaluate PacifiCorp’s Application and file adequate written comments. Accordingly, Staff requests that the Commission suspend the written comment deadline indefinitely until this information is received. Staff further requests that if the Commission suspends the written comment deadline that it also suspend the issuance of a final order in this case. PacifiCorp does not oppose Staff’s Motion. Following receipt of the above requested information, Staff will update the Commission so new deadlines may be established.
Dated this 25th day of April 2001.

________________________________
John R. Hammond
Deputy Attorney General

M:pace015_jh2
MOTION TO SUSPEND
COMMENT DEADLINE AND
ISSUANCE OF FINAL ORDER 1