20070110press release.htm

./010907_PACirrgtldcntrl_files/filelist.xml IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
9.35 pt 2 IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Case No. PAC-E-06-12, Order No. 30203 January 10, 2007 Contact: Gene Fadness [phone]

Website:
http://www.puc.idaho.gov/www.puc.idaho.gov

Rocky Mountain Power proposes changes to irrigation load control program

Rocky Mountain Power is asking the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to approve changes to its Irrigation Load Control Program that could save the company up to 45 megawatts of demand on its system.

Under the volunteer program, eastern Idaho irrigators who participate would get financial credit for allowing Rocky Mountain Power (formerly Utah Power) to interrupt service during times of peak demand. Among the proposed changes to the program is to allow the company to remotely dispatch interruptions through a central network server maintained in Boise. Rather than service interruptions taking place on a scheduled basis, interruptions would be at the company’s discretion. The network server will communicate with customers, using either cell phone or e-mail technology to alert them of impending interruptions to service, or “dispatch events.”

Total curtailment per participating customer would be limited to no more than 65 hours during the 2007 irrigation season per customer. Dispatch events would occur anytime between 2 and 8 p.m., Mondays through Fridays during the irrigation season. Rocky Mountain Power will credit the bills of participating customers at the end of the irrigation season. Participants can opt out of a dispatch event up to five times during the 2007 irrigation season. If participants opt out more than twice, the credit paid to the participant will be reduced by the replacement cost of the energy during the dispatch event.

Rocky Mountain’s application proposes limited participation on a first-come, first-served basis during the 2007 irrigation season. At the conclusion of the season, the company will evaluate the program and seek input from participants and commission staff. The changes being proposed in this docket are the result of workshops with members of the Idaho Irrigation Pumpers Association.

The commission will proceed under a modified procedure that allows this case to be handled through written public comments rather than by public hearing. Those wishing to submit comments must do so by no later than Jan. 26. Comments are accepted via e-mail by accessing the commission’s homepage at
http://www.puc.idaho.gov/www.puc.idaho.gov and clicking on "Comments & Questions." Fill in the case number (PAC-E-06-12) and enter your comments. Comments can also be mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 or faxed to [phone].

A full text of the commission’s order, along with other documents related to this case, are available on the commission’s Web site. Click on “File Room” and then on “Electric Cases” and scroll down to the above case number.