19960102_1.docx

Minutes of Decision Meeting
1:30 p.m., January 2, 1996
In attendance at this time were Commissioners Ralph Nelson, Marsha H. Smith and Dennis Hansen.  Also in attendance were staff members Don Howell, Weldon Stutzman, Brad Purdy, Ron Law, Jim Long, Terri Carlock, Rick Sterling, Randy Lobb, Gary Richardson, Bev Barker, Eileen Benner, Syd Lansing and Myrna Walters.
Also in attendance were Jeanette Bowman and Greg Said of Idaho Power Company; Conley Ward, Attorney at Law, Peter Richardson, Attorney at Law and Mary Hobson and Jim Wozniak of U. S. West.
Items from the January 2, 1996 Agenda were discussed and acted upon as follows.
1.  Regulated Carrier Division Agenda dated January 2, 1996.
Commissioner Smith made the motion to approve the RCD agenda, Commissioner Hansen seconded it, motion carried.
2.  Discussion on whether or not to issue a Notice of Inquiry in Generic Electric Case re:  Restructuring of the Electric Utility Industry.  (Held from 12-21-95 Decision Meeting)  
Commissioner Smith said she would be ready to discuss this at next week's decision meeting.
Item was held until 1-8-96 Decision Meeting.
3.  Scott Woodbury's December 20, 1995 Decision Memorandum re:  Case No. IPC-E-95-19  Rupert & Glenns Ferry Cogeneration Projects Amendments to Firm energy Sales Agreements.  (Held from 12-21-95 Decision Meeting).
Matter was pulled from the agenda - to be put back on when all the necessary filing have been made.
4.  Weldon Stutzman, etal, Decision Memorandum re:  Case No. IPC-E-95-18  Idaho Power Tariff Advice, Rule H, Proposal to Modify Tariff to Increase Charges to New Customers or Developers.
Commissioner smith said she thought that the workshop was a good idea but think a tariff should be in place by March 1 because that is when the construction season begins.  Doesn't want one set of rules in place and then have them change in mid-season.  Need consistency for the '96 construction season.
**Duly noted.
Notice will be sent out setting up workshops with the March date in mind.
5.  Don Howell's December 28, 1995 Decision Memorandum re:  Consent Agreement Entered into by the Staff and U S West concerning the Commission's Restoration of Service Standard Contained in Rule 503; Case No. USW-N-95-2 and USW-S-95-8.
Commissioner Nelson said he would approve the consent agreement.  
Commissioner Hansen said he would like to say we reserve the right to take additional action if it is determined we have concerns (questioned the 90%).  If there is some other action that is needed would like it broad enough to cover other things.
Commissioner Nelson said if we felt things were going in the tank, we could initiate action.
Don Howell said this agreement binds the company the staff only.  Asked if the Commissioner wanted to expressly reserve any future action?  Commission has power to do whatever they determine necessary.
Think it was his impression that we reserved this right without stating it.
Commissioner Smith said she thought the stipulation was fine and accepted the consent agreement with the idea they are going to achieve 90%.  She was wondering if we needed to have some mechanism expressed where we are going to review this at a time certain.  It seemed to her that the staff wouldn't be bringing this to the commissioners' attention under the terms of the agreement as long as the company meets standard or pays the fine and there is no deadline on that.
Commissioner Nelson said it does say staff will give us information monthly.
Commissioner Smith said someone would have to ask.
Decision was that Don Howell was to give the commissioners an update in 6 months.  
Commissioner Smith asked that language from Barbara Wilson's December 21 letter stating what happened should be in the order, that is why the commission is willing to accept the consent agreement.
Meeting was then adjourned.
Dated at Boise, Idaho, this 4th day of January, 1996.
Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary
19960104.min