20200423Notice_of_Application_Order_No_34643.pdf

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34643 1

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
April 23, 2020
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF DEFERRED
ACCOUNTING OF INCREMENTAL
COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE
COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH
EMERGENCY
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CASE NO. GNR-U-20-03
(including Consolidated Case Nos.
AVU-E-20-03; AVU-G-20-03;
FLS-W-20-02; GSW-W-20-01;
IPC-E-20-19; and PAC-E-20-04)

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE

ORDER NO. 34643

On March 13, 2020, Idaho Governor Brad Little issued a Proclamation
declaring a state of emergency and providing directives to combat the spread of COVID-
19, provide essential services and limit public exposure (the “Emergency”). Thereafter,
several Idaho public utilities—including Idaho Power Company, PacifiCorp D/B/A Rocky
Mountain Power, Falls Water Company, Gem State Water Company, and Avista
Corporation D/B/A Avista Utilities—applied to the Commission for orders authorizing
them to account for the unanticipated, Emergency-related expenses by booking them as
regulatory assets for possible recovery through rates that would be set in future
proceedings. The requested deferrals do not seek to increase rates at this time. See Case
Nos. AVU-E-20-03 and AVU-G-20-03 (Avista electric and gas expenses); FLS-W-20-02
(Falls Water); GSW-W-20-01 (Gem State Water); IPC-E-20-19 (Idaho Power), and PAC-
E-20-04 (PacifiCorp dba Rocky Mountain Power).
Given the Emergency and the utilities’ applications for an accounting order to
address Emergency-related costs (collectively, the “Application”), Commission Staff
recommended the Commission consolidate the above-cited cases into a general docket to
address whether and to what extent the utilities should be authorized to defer incremental
Emergency-related expenses into a regulatory asset account for possible future recovery.
Staff recommended the docket be processed by Modified Procedure.
The Commission took up the matter at its April 14, 2020 open meeting. The
Commission then decided to open this generic docket and consolidate the above-cited cases
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34643 2
into it for purposes of issuing a single order that would apply to each of the utilities that
had filed applications. The Commission also specified that, besides Avista, Idaho Power,
PacifiCorp, Falls Water, and Gem State Water, any utility that submitted timely comments
in the case requesting deferred accounting treatment would be eligible for any deferred
accounting treatment authorized by the final order in this case.
The Commission now issues this Notice of Application and Notice of Modified
Procedure setting deadlines for public comments—including requests from other utilities
who wish to have their Emergency-related deferred accounting authority decided in this
case—and reply comments.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOUR ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that in the Application, Avista, Idaho
Power, PacifiCorp, Falls Water, and Gem State Water applied for authority to defer certain
Emergency-related costs into a regulatory asset for possible future recovery. These costs
were not anticipated when the Commission set the utilities’ revenue requirements and base
rates. The utilities thus seek to account for the costs as a regulatory asset. The utilities are
not proposing to change customer rates at this time. Rather, the utilities seek to account for
the costs in a way that would allow the utilities to advocate for their recovery in later rate
cases. The prudence and recovery method of any deferred Emergency-related costs would
be determined in future proceedings.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that certain public utilities have suspended
disconnects and waived late payment fees. Broadly, the utilities expect to incur significant
incremental costs in responding to the Emergency. Further, some types of expenses are still
unknown and their full extent cannot yet be determined or reasonably estimated. The
utilities anticipate a significant increase in bad debt expense resulting from write-offs of
uncollectible accounts associated with the suspension of disconnects and late payment fees
to assist customers facing unprecedented economic pressures.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that due to current economic conditions and
the Governor’s stay-at-home order indirectly affecting commercial and industrial
electricity and gas demand, several utilities also expect decreased demand for their
services.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34643 3
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Applications and any supporting
work papers, testimonies, or exhibits filed with the Commission are available for public
inspection during regular business hours at the Commission’s office. The Application and
testimonies are also available on the Commission’s web site at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click
on “MULTI-UTILITY” and “Open Cases” and then 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.
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 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 that it will proceed
under Modified Procedure pursuant to Rules 201 through 204 of the Commission's Rules
of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.201 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
in this case—including any utility besides those named above that would like their
Emergency-related deferred accounting authority decided in this generic case—must file a
written comment in support or opposition with the Commission within twenty-one (21)
days from the service date on this Order. The written comment must contain a statement
of reasons supporting it. Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing in
their written comments. If a hearing is required, the Commission will determine the
procedure at a later date to ensure compliance with the Governor’s stay-at-home order and
any amendments, extensions, or additional restrictions that may follow it. Written
comments concerning this Application shall be mailed to the Commission and the
Company at the email addresses reflected below:

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34643 4
For the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission:

Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
[e-mail]

For Avista Utilities:

David J. Meyer
P.O. Box 3727
1411 E. Mission Ave., MSC 13
Spokane, WA 99220-3727
[e-mail]

Patrick Ehrbar
P.O. Box 3727
1411 E. Mission Ave., MSC 27
Spokane, WA 99220-3727
[e-mail]

For Falls Water Company:

Preston N. Carter
601 W. Bannock St.
Boise, ID 83702
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

Eric W. Nelson
NW Natural 220 NW 2nd Ave.
Portland, OR 97209
[e-mail]

For Gem State Water Company:

Preston N. Carter
601 W. Bannock St.
Boise, ID 83702
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

Eric W. Nelson
NW Natural 220 NW 2nd Ave.
Portland, OR 97209
[e-mail]

For Idaho Power Company:

Lisa D. Nordstrom
Matt Larkin
1221 West Idaho St (83702)
P.O. Box 70
Boise, ID 83707
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

For Rocky Mountain Power:

Ted Weston
1407 W. North Temple, Suite 330
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

Data Request Response Center
Rocky Mountain Power
825 NE Multnomah St. Suite 2000
Portland, OR 97232
[e-mail]

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34643 5
Comments should contain the GNR-U-20-03 case caption and case number
shown on the first page of this document. Persons desiring to submit comments via email
may do so by accessing the Commission’s home page located at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click
the “Case Comment Form” under “Consumers” and complete the form using the case
number as it appears on the front of this document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Avista, Idaho Power, PacifiCorp, Falls
Water, and Gem State Water must file any reply comments no later than twenty-eight
(28) days from the service date on this Order.
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 a formal hearing.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Case Nos. AVU-E-20-03; AVU-G-20-03;
FLS-W-20-02; GSW-W-20-01; IPC-E-20-19; and PAC-E-20-04 are consolidated into this
GNR-U-20-03 docket. Other utilities who wish to have their Emergency-related deferred
accounting authority decided in this docket are directed to file comments requesting that
authority.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that this case will be processed by Modified
Procedure, Rule 201-204 (IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204). Persons interested in filing written
comments—including any utility (besides Avista, Idaho Power, PacifiCorp, Falls Water,
and Gem State Water) that would like its Emergency-related deferred accounting authority
decided in this generic case—must do so no later than twenty-one (21) days from the
service date of this Order. Avista, Idaho Power, PacifiCorp, Falls Water, and Gem State
Water must file any reply comments no later than twenty-eight (28) days from the service
date of this Order.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Commission Secretary shall serve this
Order on all utilities subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that parties continue to comply with Order No.
34602, issued March 17, 2020. All pleadings should be filed with the Commission
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34643 6
electronically and shall be deemed timely filed when received by the Commission
Secretary. See Rule 14.02. Service between parties should also be accomplished
electronically. Voluminous discovery-related documents may be filed and served on CD-
ROM or a USB flash drive.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this
23rd day of April 2020.

PAUL KJELLANDER, PRESIDENT

KRISTINE RAPER, COMMISSIONER

ERIC ANDERSON, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Diane M. Hanian
Commission Secretary

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