20130328notice_of_application_order_no_32772.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Servlce Date
March 28, 201 3
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN )
POWER'S APPLICATION TO CHANGE ) CASE NO. PAC-E-13-02
THE DEPRECIATION RATES APPLICABLE )
TO ITS ELECTRIC PROPERTY ) NOTICE OF APPLICATION
1
) NOTICEOF
) INTERVENTION DEADLINE
1
) ORDER NO. 32772
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on January 22, 2013, PacifiCorp dba Rocky
Mountain Power ("RMP" or "Company") submitted an Application seeking a Commission
Order, pursuant to Idaho Code Ej 61-525 and Rule 52 of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission
("Commission") Rules of Procedure, for approval of proposed changes to depreciation rates
applicable to RMP's depreciable electric plant. The Company proposes January 1, 2014, as the
effective date for the proposed changes.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company's last depreciation application,
Case No. PAC-E-07- 14, was filed on August 3 1, 2007, with rates effective January 1,2008.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company has performed an updated
depreciation study ("Depreciation Study") and requests authorization to implement the
depreciation rates set forth in the Exhibit No. 3 attached to its Application.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Depreciation Study identifies changes that
have occurred since the Company's last depreciation study, measures the effect of the changes
on the prudent recovery of presently surviving capital, and proposes revisions to the current
depreciation rates.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the results of the Depreciation Study suggest
an increase in annual depreciation expense of approximately $83.9 million ($160.8 million
including the accelerated depreciation associated with early retirement of the Carbon plant) on a
total Company basis, based on projected plant balances as of December 3 1, 2013.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that RMP states that its proposed changes would
result in an estimated increase to the Idaho jurisdictional depreciation expense of approximately
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 32772 1
$4.5 million ($8.9 million including the early retirement of the Carbon plant) beginning January
1, 2014.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that in order to maintain consistent depreciation
rates across its six jurisdictionslservice territories, the Company has filed for approval of its
Depreciation Study in Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, and Washington.
YOU ARE FURTIHER NOTIFIED that, in support of its Application, the Company
attached the direct testimony of Henry E. Lay, Corporate Controller of PacifiCorp, John J.
Spanos, Senior Vice President of Gannett Fleming, Inc., and K. Ian Andrews, Manager of
Resource Development for PacifiCorp.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that RMP requested that this matter be processed
through Modified Procedure.
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons desiring to intervene in this matter
must file a Petition to Intervene with the Commission pursuant to this Commission's Rules of
Procedure 72 and 73. IDAPA 3 1 .01.0 1.072 and -.073. Persons intending to participate as parties
in this case must file a Petition to Intervene within 14 days of the service date of this Order
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the following persons are designated as
RMP's representatives in this matter:
Daniel Solander Ted Weston
Rocky Mountain Power Rocky Mountain Power
201 S. Main. Suite 2300 201 S. Main, Suite 2300
Salt Lake City, UT 841 11 Salt Lake City, UT 841 1 1
E-mail: [e-mail] E-mail: ted.westonO,pacificorp.com
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that once the deadline for intervention has passed,
the Commission Secretary shall prepare a Notice of Parties. Once the Notice of Parties is issued,
Staff counsel will convene an informal prehearing conference or public workshop to discuss a
possible settlement of the issues presented in this case.
YOUARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all hearings and prehearing conferences in this
matter will be held in facilities meeting the accessibility requirements of the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA). Persons needing the help of a sign language interpreter or other
assistance in order to participate in or to understand testimony and argument at a public hearing
may ask the Commission to provide a sign language interpreter or other assistance at the hearing.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 32772 2
The request for assistance must be received at least five (5) working days before the hearing by
contacting the Commission Secretary at:
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-Mail: [e-mail]
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Rule 276 provides that the Commission is not
bound by any settlement which may be reached by the parties. IDAPA 31.01.01.276. If a
settlement is reached, the Commission will "independently review any settlement proposed to it
to determine whether the settlement is just, fair and reasonable, in the public interest or otherwise
in accordance with law or regulatory policy." Id. The Commission may accept, reject or modify
any settlement. Moreover, the proponents of settlement carry the burden of showing that the
settlement is reasonable and in the public interest. Rule 275. When a settlement calls for
Commission action, the Commission will prescribe an appropriate procedure to examine the
proposed settlement. Rule 274.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be
conducted in accordance with the Commission's Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et
sey.
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that persons desiring to intervene in this matter shall file
a Petition to Intervene within 14 days of the service date of this Order.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that once the deadline for Petitions to Intervene has
passed, the Commission Secretary shall prepare and issue a Notice of Parties. Staff counsel shall
convene an informal prehearing conference or public workshop so that interested parties may
discuss a possible settlement of the issues presented in this case.
NOTICE OF APPL,ICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 32772 3
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this ;g "
day of March 20 13.
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
Commission Secretary
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 32772 4