20201029Notice_of_Application_Order_No_34826.pdf

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34826 1

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
October 29, 2020
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

On October 6, 2020, Rocky Mountain Power (“Company”), a division of PacifiCorp,
applied for Commission approval a capacity deficiency period beginning July 2029, to be used in
avoided cost calculations under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (“PURPA”).
The Commission now issues this Notice of Application and Modified Procedure. We
also set an intervention deadline for interested persons.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that under PURPA, the Commission has established
a surrogate avoided resource (“SAR”) methodology and an integrated resource plan (“IRP”)
methodology to calculate avoided cost rates for qualifying facilities (“QFs”). Under both
methodologies, a QF receives capacity payments only after the applicable capacity deficit date is
reached. Order No. 32697.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the capacity deficiency period is determined
through the IRP planning process and is submitted to the Commission in a proceeding separate
from the IRP docket. The capacity deficit date determined in the IRP process is presumed to be
correct as a starting point but will be subject to the outcome of the capacity deficiency case. Order
No. 32697.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company filed its IRP in October 2019.
The 2019 IRP showed a capacity deficiency period beginning July 2028. The Company notes that
Commission Staff critiqued the Company’s load and resource balance used for PURPA purposes,
IN THE MATTER OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN
POWER’S APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL
OF A CAPACITY DEFICIENCY PERIOD TO
BE USED FOR AVOIDED COST
CALCULATIONS

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CASE NO. PAC-E-20-13

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

NOTICE OF INTERVENTION
DEADLINE

NOTICE OF MODIFIED
PROCEDURE

ORDER NO. 34826
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34826 2

specifically the early retirement of several thermal resources that were included in the load and
resource balance. See Case No. PAC-E-19-16, Staff Comments at 5. The Company explains in its
Application that it calculated its capacity deficiency date in the present docket by removing the
early retirement of the thermal resources noted by Staff in Case No. PAC-E-19-16, and updating
the power purchase agreements in its load and resource balance.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company states that these updates to the
2019 IRP result in a capacity deficiency date in July 2029.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application is available for public
inspection during regular business hours at the Commission’s office. These documents 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, then select “Electric 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 INTERVENTION DEADLINE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons who wish to intervene in this matter to
obtain the rights of a party (e.g., to file formal discovery, or present evidence or cross-examine
witnesses at a hearing) must file a Petition to Intervene with the Commission under the
Commission's Rules of Procedure 72 and 73, IDAPA 31.01.01.072 and .073. Persons who wish
to intervene as a party must file a Petition to Intervene within twenty-one (21) days from the
service date of this Order. Such persons shall also provide the Commission Secretary with their
electronic mail address to facilitate further communications.
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.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34826 3

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 will proceed under Modified Procedure
pursuant to Rules 201 through 204 of the Idaho Public Utilities 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 persons desiring to state a position on this
Application may file a written comment explaining why the person supports or opposes the
Application. Persons who would like a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written
comments. Persons shall have until December 22, 2020 to file written comments. Comments
must be filed by email unless email is unavailable. To comment by email, please access the
Commission’s home page at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click the “Consumers” tab and then “Case
Comment Form” and complete the form using the case number as it appears on the front of this
document. Comments filed by email must also be emailed to Idaho Power at the email addresses
listed below. If email is unavailable, then comments may be mailed to the Commission and Idaho
Power at these addresses:
For the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission:

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

Street Address for Express Mail:

11331 W. Chinden Blvd.
Building 8, Suite 201-A
Boise, Idaho 83714
For Rocky Mountain Power:

Ted Weston
Emily Wegener
1407 West North Temple, Suite 330
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

Ron Scheirer
825 NE Multnomah, Suite 600
Portland, OR 97232
[e-mail]

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company must file any reply comments by
January 12, 2021.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34826 4

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 Application be processed by Modified
Procedure, Rule 201-204 (IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204). Persons interested in submitting written
comments must do so by December 22, 2020. The Company must file any reply comments by
January 12, 2021.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that persons desiring to intervene for the purpose of
presenting evidence or cross-examination at hearing shall file a Petition to Intervene with the
Commission within twenty-one (21) days from the service date of this Order.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that parties should continue to comply with Order No.
34781, issued September 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.
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NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34826 5

DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 29th
day of October 2020.

PAUL KJELLANDER, PRESIDENT

KRISTINE RAPER, COMMISSIONER

ERIC ANDERSON, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secretary

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