20191122Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MENIORANDUNT
TO:CO}TN{ISSIONER KJELLANDER
CONIN{ISSIONER RAPER
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
CONTMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
FRO}I:DAYN HARDIE
DI.]PUTY ATI'ORNEY GF]NERAI,
DATE: NOVENIBER 20,2t119
SUBJECT: ROCKY I\IOUNTAIN POWER'S 2019 FILEC'I'RIC INTEGRATEI)
RESOURCE PLAN: CASE NO. PAC-E-19-16
On October 25,2019, PacifiCorp dba Rocky Mountain Power ("Cornpany") filed its
201 9 Electric lntegrated Resource Plan ("2O19 IRP" or "IRP") pursuant to Commission Order No.
22299.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN'S 2OI9 IRP
Thc Company's 2019 IRP was developed through comprehensive analysis and public-
input. Rocky Mountain 2019 IRP at l. The 2019 IRP preferred portfolio includes accelerated coal
retiremcnts and investment in transmission infrastructure that will facilitate the addition of nearly
I I ,000 Megawatts ("MW") of new renewablc resources, plus the deplcryment oI new technologies,
during the 20-year planning period. Id.
The primary objective of the Company's 2019 IRP is to identify the best mix of
resources to serve customers going forward. /r1. at 5. The best mix ofresources is identified through
analysis that measures both cost and risk. 1d. The least-cost, least-risk resource portfolio-defined
as the "prcferred portlblio"-is thc portfolio that can be delivered through specific action items at
a reasonable cost and with manageable risk, while considering customer demand for clean energy
and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulatory objectives. /d.
The Company's Filing states, "the 2019 IRP sets forth a clear path to provide reliable
and reasonably priced service to [its] custonrers." 1d. The analysis supporting the IRP helps thc
Company, customers, and regulators understand the effects of both near-term and long-term
resource decisions on customer bills, the reliability of electric service the Company's customers
DI:C IS ION MEMORAI.\ D LtM I
receive, and changes to greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity generation assets used to
serve customers. Id. In its 2019 IRP, the Company presents a preferred portfolio that "builds on its
vision to deliver energy affordably, reliably, and responsibly through near-term investments in
transmission infrastructure that will facilitate continued growth in new renewable resource
capacity over the longer-terrn planning horizon while maintaining substantial investment in energy
efficiency." 1d.
The Company's 2019 IRP includes investment in new resource technologies
including-renewables, storage, and modern grid technology. Id. at 4. lt also outlines new
transmission investments across the Company's territory needed to remove cxisting transmission
constraints and improve grid resilience so the lowest-cost renewable resources can be delivered to
customers. 1d.
The Company's Filing states its 2019 IRP preferred portfolio is supported by
comprehensive data analysis and an extensive stakeholder input-process. Id. at 29. The Company's
2019 IRP preferred portfolio continues investnlents in ncw wind, transmission, and demand side
management, while adding signifrcant solar and battery storage resources. Id. By 2025, the
preferred portfolio includes nearly 3,000 MW of new solar resources, 3,500 MW of new wind
rcsources, ncarly 600 MW of battery storage capacityr, 860 MW of incremental energy efficiency
resources and new direct load control capacity. /r/.
Over the 2O-year planning horizon, the IRP preferred portfolio includes more than
4,600 MW of new wind resources, more than 6,300 MW of new solar resources, more than 2,800
MW ofbattery storagcl, and more than 1,890 MW of incremental energy efficiency resources and
new direct load control capacity. 1d.
For delivery of ncw renewable power to customers, the Company's 2019 IRP prcferred
ponfblio also includes thc construction ofa 400-mile transmission line, Gateway south. connecting
southcast Wyoming with northern Utah. /d.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Commission issue a Notice of Filing and set a 2 I day
intervention deadline. Once the intervention deadline has passed, StatT will informally confer with
I All storage will be combined with new solar resources.
I More than 1.40O MW of storagc capacity consists of stund-alone storage resources being de!eloped heginning in 2028
)I)ECISION MEMORANDUM
the inten,ening parties about further scheduling and rvill report their findings back to the
Commission.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to issue a Notice of Filing and set a 2l day intervention
dcadline'l
ayrl Hardi
Deputy Attorney General
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lDECISION N,lEN,lORANDUN,I