20170727notice_of_application_order_no_33823.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
July 27,2017
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION )CASE NO.PAC-E-17-07
OF PACIFICORP DBA ROCKY MOUNTAIN )
POWER FOR A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC )NOTICE OF APPLICATION
CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY AND )BINDING RATEMAKING TREATMENT )NOTICE OF
FOR NEW WIND AND TRANSMISSION )INTERVENTION DEADLINE
FACILITIES )
)ORDER NO.33823
On July 3,2017,PacifiCorp dba Rocky Mountain Power applied for a Certificate of
Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN)to construct or acquire four new wind projects with a
total combined capacity of 860 megawatts (MW).The Company also requests CPCNs for
several transmission facilities,portions of which are associated with the Company's Gateway
West transmission project.The Company finally requests approval of binding ratemaking
treatment for the investment in the combined projects,in accordance with Idaho Code §61-541.
The Company asserts that the projects will provide significant economic benefits for the
Company's customers,and that the projects are time-limited due largely to federal production tax
credits.
Because of the time-sensitive nature of the federal tax credits associated with the
projects,the Company must complete construction of all facilities by December 31,2020.As
such,the Company requests that the Commission issue the requested CPCNs by March 30,2018.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Company requests CPCNs for four wind
projects,three nominal 250 MW facilities,and one l10 MW facility,all located in Wyoming.
The Company states that it currentlyeither has control over the site,or has secured access to the
development and implementation rights.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company states that customer benefits
resulting from the wind projects depend entirely on qualifying for 100%federal production tax
credits (PTCs),which can be attained by making the projects commercially operational by
December 31,2020.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company also requests approval of six
transmission projects.The Company states the projects are necessary to relieve existing
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO.33823 1
congestion,and interconnect existing Wyoming wind resources,and the proposed wind projects,
into the Company's transmission system.The Company claims that the transmission projects
will increase the transfer capability from east to west by 750 MW,and will provide critical
voltage support to the transmission system.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company says that it has obtained a
federal right-of-way permit from the Bureau of Land Management for a line that crosses BLM
lands,and that after CPCNs have been issued by this Commission and in Wyoming,it will obtain
the additional rights-of-wayas necessary.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company requests binding ratemaking
treatment-a Resource Tracking Mechanism (RTM),that would track benefits and costs as a
component of the Energy Cost Adjustment Mechanism (ECAM),until the combined projects are
fully included in base rates.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application and supporting workpapers,
testimonies and exhibits have been filed with the Commission and are available for public
inspection during regular business hours at the Commission offices.The Application and
testimonies are also available on the Commission's web site at www.puc.idaho.gov.Click on the
"File Room"tab at the top of the page,scroll down to "Open Electric Cases,"and then click on
the case number as shown on the front of this document.
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 §§61-526,and 61-524.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,IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons desiring to intervene in this matter
for the purpose of presenting evidence or cross-examining witnesses at hearing must file a
Petition to Intervene with the Commission pursuant to this Commission's Rules of Procedure
72 and 73,IDAPA 31.01.01.072 and -.073.Persons intending to participate at the hearing must
file a Petition to Intervene no later than August 8,2017.Persons desiring to present their views
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ORDER NO.33823 2
without parties'rights of participation and cross-examination are not required to intervene and
may present their comments without prior notification to the Commission or the parties.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission Secretary shall issue a
Notice of Parties after the deadline for intervention has passed.The Notice of Parties shall
assign exhibit numbers to each party in this proceeding.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that once the Notice of Parties is issued,the
Commission's Staff will convene an informal prehearing conference at the Commission's offices
for the parties to discuss a schedule to process this case and other issues as may be raised by the
parties.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the following persons are designated as
Rocky Mountain's representatives in this matter:
Ted Weston Yvonne Hogle
Idaho Regulatory Affairs Manager Assistant General Counsel
Rocky Mountain Power Rocky Mountain Power
1407 West North Temple,Suite 330 1407 West North Temple,Suite 320
Salt Lake City,Utah 84116 Salt Lake City,Utah 84116
E-mail:[e-mail] E-mail:yvonne.ho [e-mail]
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be
conducted pursuant to the Commission's Rules of Procedure,IDAPA 31.01.01.000et seq.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that persons desiring to intervene in this matter shall file
a Petition to Intervene with the Commission no later than August 8,2017.After that,Staff shall
convene an informal conference with the parties to discuss appropriate scheduling of this case
going forward.
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NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO.33823 3
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this
day of July2017.
PAUL KJEllANDER.PRESIDENT
KRIS'TINERAPER,COM'MISSIONER
ERIC ANDERSON,COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
Diane M.Hainan
Commission Secretary
O:PAC-E-17-07 bk
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO.33823 4