20200626Notice_of_Application_Order_No_34706.pdf

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION OF PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34706 1

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
June 26, 2020
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

On June 4, 2020, Rocky Mountain Power, a division of PacifiCorp (“Rocky Mountain
Power” or “Company”) filed an Application requesting the Commission approve the annual update
to the variable energy portion of avoided cost rates for qualifying facilities (“QFs”) under the
Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (“PURPA”) with the 1992 amendments. The
Company requests an effective date of July 1, 2020.
The Commission now issues this Notice of Application and Notice of Modified
Procedure setting comment and reply deadlines and suspends the Company’s proposed effective
date as noted below.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the 1992 amendments apply to 13 QFs. This
year’s proposed update would result in a variable energy rate of $23.07 per megawatt hour
(“MWh”) compared to the rate of $23.85 per MWh currently in effect.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the variable energy rate is calculated by
summing the average of Rocky Mountain Power’s fuel costs for its Carbon, Hale, Naughton,
Huntington, and Hunter coal-fired generation plants with the variable operations and maintenance
costs for Colstrip.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that since 2003 when this annual update began, it
has taken effect on July 1. The annual update has historically been accomplished through a letter
sent by Commission Staff to the Company requesting review and confirmation of Staff’s updated
IN THE MATTER OF THE ANNUAL
REVISION TO QF VARIABLE ENERGY
PRICES PURSUANT TO TERMS OF THE
1992 AMENDMENTS TO POWER
PURCHASE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN
IDAHO QFS AND PACIFICORP
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CASE NO. PAC-E-20-08

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

NOTICE OF SUSPENSION OF
PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE

NOTICE OF
MODIFIED PROCEDURE

ORDER NO. 34706
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION OF PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34706 2

calculation followed by a final Commission Order. Similar to newly adopted procedures to other
annual updates to avoided cost rates, the Commission will process this annual update via Modified
Procedure. See GNR-E-20-01, AVU-E-20-04, and IPC-E-20-24.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application is available for public
inspection during regular business hours at the Commission offices. These documents are also
available on the Commission’s web site at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on the “Electric” tab, then
select “Open Cases” and 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 §§ 61-502 and 61-503.
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 SUSPENSION OF PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that, given the public interest in having adequate
time to comment on this case, the Commission finds it appropriate to suspend the Company’s
proposed effective date of July 1, 2020, for a period of 30 days plus 5 months, unless the
Commission issues an earlier Order accepting, rejecting, or modifying the Company’s Application.
See Idaho Code § 61-622(4).
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 on this
Application must file a written comment in support or opposition with the Commission within
21 days of the service date of this Order. The comment must contain a statement of reasons
supporting the comment. Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their
written comments. Written comments concerning this Application should be emailed to the
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION OF PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34706 3

Commission and the Company at the addresses reflected below. If e-mail is unavailable, written
comments can be mailed to the addresses reflected below:
For the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission:

Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074

Street Address for Express Mail:

11331 W. Chinden Blvd.
Bldg. 8, Ste. 201-A
Boise, ID 83714

E-Mail: [e-mail]
For Rocky Mountain Power:

Ted Weston
Emily Wegener
Rocky Mountain Power
1407 W. North Temple, Suite 330
Salt Lake City, Utah 84116

E-Mail: [e-mail]
[e-mail]

These comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this
document. Persons desiring to submit comments via e-mail may do so by accessing the
Commission’s home page located at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click the “Consumers” tab then click
the “Case Comment Form” and complete the comment form using the case number as it appears
on the front of this document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company must file any reply comments
within 28 days of the service date of 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 formal hearing.
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Company’s proposed July 1, 2020, effective date
is suspended for a period of 30 days plus 5 months, unless the Commission issues an earlier Order
accepting, rejecting, or modifying the Application. See Idaho Code § 61-622(4).

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION OF PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34706 4

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Application of the Company be processed by
Modified Procedure, Rule 201-204 (IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204). Persons interested in submitting
written comments must do so within 21 days of the service date of this Order. The Company must
file any reply comments within 28 days of the service date of this Order.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that parties should continue to comply with Order No.
34602, issued March 17, 2020. All pleadings should be filed with the Commission 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 26th
day of June, 2020.

PAUL KJELLANDER, PRESIDENT

KRISTINE RAPER, COMMISSIONER

ERIC ANDERSON, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Diane M. Hanian
Commission Secretary

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