20070525Decision memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:CO MMISSI 0 NER KJELLAND ER
COMMISSIONER SMITH
COMMISSIONER REDFORD
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
FROM:DONOVAN E. WALKER
DATE:MA Y 24, 2007
SUBJECT:ROCKY MOUNTAIN POWER'S APPLICATION FOR REVISIONS TO
STREET LIGHTING SERVICES - CASE NO. P AC-07-
On April 17, 2007, Rocky Mountain Power filed an Application for authority to
revise its Electric Service Schedule No. 11 (Company-Owned Overhead System), Schedule No.
12 (Customer-Owned System), and Electric Service Regulation No. 12 (Line Extensions),
regarding revisions to the Company s street lighting schedules. On April 25, 2007, the
Commission issued a Notice of Application and Modified Procedure establishing a deadline for
interested persons to comment upon the Company s Application.On May 16, 2007, the
Commission Staff filed comments in this matter. No other comments were filed.
THE APPLICATION
The Company states that the purpose of this Application is to revise its street lighting
schedules to clarify applicability, include expanded lighting options such as metal halide and
decorative lighting, to close non-standard lights to new service, and to add or re-write service
provisions clarifying Company and customer obligations surrounding the installation
conversion, and maintenance of facilities. As stated in the Application, the proposed changes are
responsive to customer inquiries regarding expanded street lighting offerings.
The Company states that it has shared its proposals with representatives of multiple
cities within its service territory and has worked with Commission Staff to develop this
Application. The Company has sent a letter detailing its proposal to all customers receiving
service under Schedules 11 and 12. The Company serves approximately 19 customers with 188
lights under Schedule 11 , and 51 customers totaling 3 574 lights under Schedule 12. Of the
DECISION MEMORANDUM
574 customer owned lights, 3 406 receive full Company maintenance and another 160 receive
partial maintenance.
The specific changes to Schedule 11 include: (a) metal halide and decorative fixture
options are added; (b) non-standard light sizes are closed to new service, existing fixtures will
continue to be maintained; (c) service to pole-mounted outlets is to be provided under a metered
general service rate; (d) contract term requirement is extended from three to five years; (e) the
schedule name is changed to Street Lighting Service - Company-Owned System.
The specific changes to Schedule 12 include: (a) standard lights are listed in the
tariff with monthly lamp rates, a per kilowatt hour rate is available for non-listed, energy-only
luminaries; (b) monthly maintenance will no longer be offered for new consumer-owned lights
however, the Company will continue to perform maintenance under existing service agreements;
(c) installation, maintenance, transferring, or removal of lights must be performed by qualified
personnel or, if qualified personnel are not available, by the Company at the consumer
expense; (d) service to pole-mounted outlets is to be provided under a metered general service
rate; (e) references to light sizes in the "no new service" section are removed where there are no
longer any active agreements; (f) references to low pressure sodium vapor 8 000, 13 500, and
500 lumens are removed from energy only; and (g) traffic and other signal system service is
removed and is instead referenced to metered general service, the title of Schedule 12 is changed
to Street Lighting Service - Consumer-Owned System.
The Company also proposes to add language to the existing Rule 12 for line
extensions, specifying a street lighting line extension allowance equal to five years of revenue
based on the applicable rates for the lights to be added under Company-owned street lighting
service. The allowance will be applied toward the cost of installing the required facilities and
connecting to the Company s system. The consumer must advance any costs exceeding this
allowance.
ST AFF COMMENTS
Staff reviewed the Company Application and proposed tariff changes and
recommended that the request to revise the street lighting tariff, Schedules 11 and 12, and
Electric Service Regulation No. 12 (Line Extensions) be approved as filed by the Company.
Staff worked with the Company in the development of this proposal and believes it represents a
reasonable response to changing market conditions, and is structured in a manner that will
DECISION MEMORANDUM
protect existing customers. Staff noted that the new products proposed by the Company are in
response to requests from customers. The Company provided an analysis that indicated the
prices for the new products were established using the same general procedures as those for the
existing products.
Additionally, Staff noted that the proposed changes to the line extension provisions
provide clarity and consistency in how the Company addresses line extensions required for street
lighting. Staff believes the changes will reduce customer confusion over when charges will be
imposed and result in more consistency in the application of line extension charges to street
lighting customers.
COMMISSION DECISION
1. Does the Commission wish to approve the Company s proposed changes to
Electric Service Schedule No. 11 (Company-Owned Overhead System), Schedule No. 12
(Customer-Owned System), and Electric Service Regulation No. 12 (Line Extensions), regarding
revisions to the Company s street lighting schedules as set forth in the Company s Application?
2. Does the Commission wish to address any other matter?
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DECISION MEMORANDUM