20191213final_order_no_34504.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
December 13,2019
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN )
POWER'S APPLICATION TO REVISE )PAC-E-19-14
ELECTRIC SERVICE REGULATION NO.)4--SUPPLY AND USE OF SERVICE )ORDER NO.34504
On September 27,2019,Rocky Mountain Power (the Company)applied to the
Commission for an Order authorizing the Company to revise Electric Service Regulation No.4-
Supply of Service,(Regulation 4)to allow unmetered service in certain instances for small usage
devices whose total connected load does not exceed 2 kilowatts (kW).
On October 28,2019,the Commission issued a Notice of Application and Notice of
Modified Procedure,setting a comment deadline of November 26,2019,and a reply comment
deadline of December 3,2019.Staff filed the only comments,and the Company did not file reply
comments.
Now,based on our review of the record,the Commission approves the Application as
set forth below.
THE APPLICATION
The Company proposed a revised paragraph 1 of Regulation 4 to allow unmetered
service for "small usage devices":devices whose total connected load does not exceed 2 kW per
point of connection.The Company stated this revision solves a logistical problem facing 4G and
5G cell antennas in dense commercial areas.Because of limited mounting space and municipal
ordinances,cell phone carriers struggle to mount meters for cell antennas.After hearing from cell
phone carriers about this challenge,the Company proposed this revision to the industry and
received a very positive response.
The proposed revision would provide for unmetered service if,at the sole discretion of
the Company,usage is impractical or unsafe to meter.Unmetered service is subject to these
conditions:1)the small usage device's load must not exceed two kW per point of connection;2)
all equipment must meet the Company's design and installation requirements;3)the customer
service application must provide the small usage device's capacity requirements;4)the Company
will calculate monthlyusage of the small capacity device as the total capacity requirement of the
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equipment multiplied by 730 hours (the number of hours in a month);5)the Company may test
the capacity requirements of the small usage devices;and 6)the customer must give the Company
at least 30-days'notice before changing load.
If the Company determines that the customer underreported capacity or otherwise
failed to notify the Company of its increased capacity,the Company may back-bill the customer
under Electric Service Regulation No.8,section 6-Adjustment for Billing Error---for the
incremental kilowatt/hour usage associated with the higher capacity.The Company noted this
"protects other customers and ensures that the risks of accepting un-metered service in this limited
situation are properly balanced."If the customer makes changes that make the service ineligible
for unmetered service,Company-approved metering point(s)must be installed by the customer
within 30 days followingnotification from the Companythat the service is ineligible for unmetered
service.If Company-approvedmetering point(s)are not installed within this time,service will be
disconnected.
The Company stated that unmetered service for small usage devices will "benefit
customers and have minimal impact to Company operations."Application at 4.The Company
requested the Commission approve the proposed changes with an effective date of January 1,2020.
STAFF COMMENTS
Staff recommended the Commission approve Rocky Mountain Power's proposal to
revise Electric Service Regulation No.4."Staff agrees with the Company's claim that
implementing unmetered service for small usage devices will benefit customers and have minimal
impact on Company operations.Cost of Service is reduced through eliminating unnecessary
metering costs,and customer service is enhanced."Staff Comments at 2.
COMMISSION FINDINGS AND DECISION
The Commission has jurisdiction over this matter under Idaho Code §§61-502 and 61-
503.The Commission is empowered to investigate rates,charges,rules,regulations,practices,
and contracts of public utilities and to determine whether they are just,reasonable,preferential,
discriminatory,or in violation of any provision of law,and to fix the same by order.Idaho Code §§
61-502 and 61-503.
The Commission has reviewed the record,includingthe Application and the comments
of Commission Staff.Based on our review,we find it reasonable to approve the Application.The
small usage devices covered by revised Regulation 4 will have consistent power usage 24 hours a
ORDER NO.34504 2
day,seven days a week.With the conditions provided under revised Regulation 4,service costs
are reduced by not having to meter small usage devices.This is good for customers,the Company,
and ratepayers.
Additionally,allowing unmetered service for small usage devices will encourage
Idaho's broadband network to expand and improve.This Commission remains committed to
encouraging a telecommunications network within this state that is affordable,available,and
modern.Reliable broadbandinfrastructure is essential to this goal;and unmetered service for small
usage devices,as envisioned in revised Regulation 4,promotes reliable broadband infrastructure.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Company's Application to revise Regulation 4 to
allow unmetered service in certain instances for small usage devices whose total connected load
does not exceed 2 kW is granted.
THIS IS A FINAL ORDER.Any person interested in this Order may petition for
reconsideration within twenty-one (21)days of the service date of this Order with regard to any
matter decided in this Order.Within seven (7)days after any person has petitioned for
reconsideration,any other person may cross-petition for reconsideration.See Idaho Code §61-
626.
ORDER NO.34504 3
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this /
day of December,2019.
PAUL KJELLANDER,PRESIDENT
KI IS INE RAPER,SSIONER
ATTEST:
Diane M.Hanian
Commission Secretary
I:\Legal\ELECTRIC\PAC-E-19-14\Orders\PACE1914_nte app mh.docx
ORDER NO.34504 4