20221116Notice_of_Application_Order_No_35595.pdf

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35595 1
Office of the Secretary
Service Date
November 16, 2022
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN
POWER’S APPLICATION TO UPDATE
LOAD AND GAS FORECASTS USED IN
THE INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN
AVOIDED COST MODEL
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CASE NO. PAC-E-22-16

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

NOTICE OF
MODIFIED PROCEDURE

ORDER NO. 35595

On October 20, 2022, Rocky Mountain Power, a division of PacifiCorp (“Company”)
applied to the Commission to update the load forecast, natural gas forecast, and long-term contract
components of the Integrated Resource Plan (“IRP”) avoided cost model. IRP avoided cost rates
are available to qualifying facilities (“QFs”) that exceed the resource-specific project eligibility
cap for published avoided cost rates under Idaho’s implementation of the Public Utility Regulatory
Policies Act of 1978 (“PURPA”). The Company requested that its Application be processed by
Modified Procedure.
The Commission now issues this Notice of Application and sets deadlines for interested
persons to comment on the Application and for the Company to reply.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that Order No 32697 mandates that the Company update
its IRP methodology calculation to ensure accurate avoided costs for new eligible PURPA QFs.
The Company noted that these forecasts are to “be updated every two years upon
acknowledgement of the utility’s IRP filing except for the load and the natural gas forecasts which
are to be updated annually.” Application at 1-2.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company stated that the increase in load
forecast between May 2021 and May 2022 (as shown on Table 1 of the Company’s Application)
is primarily a result of growth with its industrial and commercial customers. Id. at 2.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company stated their most current Official
Forward Price Curve (“OFPC”) was completed on September 30, 2022. The Company noted that
Table 2 in its Application outlines changes from the previous year. Id. at 4.The Company noted
that generally gas prices in the OFPC are up “over all forecast years compared” to last year’s
OFPC. Id.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35595 2
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company stated that it entered 19 long-term
contracts—including 12 long-term QF contracts—for a total nameplate capacity of 1,018.4
megawatts. Additionally, two long-term contracts expired that were not renewed and nine long-
term contracts expired that were subsequently renewed, for a total nameplate capacity of 359.1
megawatts. Id. at 5; Table 3. Currently, the Company is a party to 38 non-PURPA, long-term
power purchase agreements (nameplate capacity of 3,108 megawatts (“MW”)), and 156 PURPA
QF projects (nameplate capacity of 2,265 MW).
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 website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on the “ELECTRIC” icon, 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.
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 it will review the case through written
submissions under the Commission’s Rules of Modified Procedure Rules 201-204 of the Idaho
Public Utilities Commission’s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204. 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 they support or oppose the Application.
Persons who would like a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written comments.
Persons shall have until December 5, 2022, to file written comments. Comments must be filed
through the Commission’s website or by e-mail unless computer access is unavailable. To
comment electronically, please access the Commission’s website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click the
“Case Comment Form” and complete the form using the case number as it appears on the front of
this document. To file by e-mail, the customer must e-mail the comments to the Commission
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35595 3
Secretary and the Company at the e-mail addresses listed below. If computer access is unavailable,
then comments may be mailed to the Commission and Company 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, Ste. 201-A
Boise, ID 83714

For Rocky Mountain Power:

Mark Alder
1407 West North Temple, Suite 330
Salt Lake City, Utah 84116
[e-mail]

Joe Dallas
825 NE Multnomah Street, Suite 2000
Portland, OR 97232
[e-mail]

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company must file any reply comments by
December 12, 2021.
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, Rules 201-204 (IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204). Persons interested in filing written
comments must do so by December 5, 2022. The Company must file reply comments, if any, by
December 12, 2022.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that parties comply with Order No. 35375, issued April 21,
2022. Generally, all pleadings should be filed with the Commission electronically and will be
deemed timely filed when received by the Commission Secretary. See Rule 14.02. Service between
parties should continue to be accomplished electronically when possible. However, voluminous
discovery-related documents may be filed and served on CD-ROM or a USB flash drive.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35595 4
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 16th day of
November 2022.

__________________________________________
ERIC ANDERSON, PRESIDENT

__________________________________________
JOHN CHATBURN, COMMISSIONER

__________________________________________
JOHN R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

__________________________________
Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secretary

I:\Legal\ELECTRIC\PAC-E-22-16 forecast update\orders\PACE2216_NtcApp_Mod_md.docx