20091110notice_of_application_order_no_30942.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
November 10, 2009
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF PACIFICORP DBA ROCKY MOUNTAIN CASE NO. PAC-09-
POWER FOR APPROVAL OF
ACCOUNTING ORDER AUTHORIZING NOTICE OF APPLICATION
THE DEFERRAL OF COSTS ASSOCIATED
WITH COAL MINE STRIPPING NOTICE OF
ACTIVITIES MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30942
On October 13 2009, PacifiCorp dba Rocky Mountain Power ("Rocky Mountain" or
Company ) filed an Application with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission ("Commission
pursuant to Idaho Code 9 61-524 and Rule of Procedure 52, for approval of an Accounting Order
authorizing the Company to record a regulatory asset associated with the costs of removal of
overburden and waste materials at its affiliate coal mines.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that Rocky Mountain operates numerous coal-fired
power plants throughout the western United States. The Company owns several coal mines
including the Bridger, Deer Creek and Trapper Mines ("the Mines ), that supply the coal needed
to operate these plants. Coal is extracted from the Mines using various underground and surface
mining techniques. Surface mining requires the removal of soil, rock or "overburden" on seams
of coal which lie near the surface.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Rocky Mountain, a Utah corporation
providing retail electric service to customers in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho with its principal
place of business in Salt Lake City, Utah, seeks the Commission s authorization to record as a
regulatory asset the costs associated with coal mine stripping activities.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Rocky Mountain believes that the requested
accounting treatment is necessary in order to more closely match the costs of coal stripping with
the actual extraction of the coal. Recording the coal stripping costs as a regulatory asset would
eliminate the expensing of coal stripping costs when incurred as required by Emerging Issues
Task Force standard 04-6 ("EITF 04-
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30942
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Rocky Mountain proposes that these costs be
recorded in Account 182., Other Regulatory Assets, and Account 501 , Fuel Expense, based on
extracted coal delivery. The Company believes that customers will benefit from the modification
of the customary treatment of stripping expenses under EITF 04-through increased
intergeneration equity among customers.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined that the
public interest may not require a formal hearing in this matter and will proceed under Modified
Procedure pursuant to Rules 201 through 204 of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission s Rules
of Procedure IDAP A 31.01.01.20 I through .204. The Commission notes that Modified
Procedure and written comments have proven to be an effective means for obtaining public input
and participation.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that any person desiring to state a position on this
Application may file a written comment in support or opposition with the Commission within
twenty-one (21) days from the service date of this Notice. The comment must contain a
statement of reasons supporting the comment. Persons desiring a hearing must specifically
request a hearing in their written comments. Written comments concerning this Application
shall be mailed to the Commission and the Applicant at the addresses reflected below:
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
Ted Weston
Rocky Mountain Power
201 South Main Street, Suite 2300
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Mail: ted.weston(fYpacificorp.com
Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W. Washington Street
Boise, ID 83702-5918
These comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this
document.Persons desiring to submit comments via e-mail may do so by accessing the
Commission s home page located at www.puc.idaho.gov.Click the "Comments and Questions
icon and complete the comment form using the case number as it appears on the front of this
document. These comments must also be sent to the Applicant at the e-mail address listed
above.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30942
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are
received within the time limit set, the Commission will consider this matter on its merits and
enter its Order without a formal hearing. If written comments are received within the time limit
set, the Commission will consider them and, in its discretion, may set the same for formal
hearing.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Rocky Mountain s Application seeking the
Commission s approval of an Accounting Order has been filed with the Commission and is
available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission offices. The
Application is posted on the Commission s web site at www.puc.idaho.gov and may be viewed
by clicking on "File Room" and then the "Electric Cases.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held
pursuant to the Commission s jurisdiction under Title 61 of the Idaho Code and specifically
Idaho Code 9 61-526. The Commission may enter any final Order consistent with its authority
under Title 61.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be
conducted pursuant to the Commission s Rules of Procedure, IDAP A 31.01.01.000 et seq.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this Application will be processed under Modified
Procedure. Persons interested in submitting written comments regarding this case or protesting
the use of Modified Procedure should do so no later than 21 days from the service date of this
Order.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30942
DONE by Order ofthe Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this
-/+.
day of November 2009.
~;/ L;D. EMP , P SIDENT
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
MACK A. REDFORD, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
~6)Je D. Jewell
Commission Secretary
O:PAC-O9-
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30942