20230510Notice_of_Application_Order_No_35775.pdf

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35775 1
Office of the Secretary
Service Date
May 10, 2023
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN
POWER’S APPLICATION REQUESTING
APPROVAL OF THE ANNUAL REVISION
TO QF VARIABLE ENERGY PRICES
PURSUANT TO TERMS OF THE 1992
AMENDMENTS TO POWER PURCHASE
AGREEMENTS BETWEEN PACIFICORP
AND IDAHO QFs.
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CASE NO. PAC-E-23-14

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

NOTICE OF
MODIFIED PROCEDURE

ORDER NO. 35775

On April 18, 2023, Rocky Mountain Power, a division of PacifiCorp (“Company”), applied
for Commission approval to update the Qualifying Facility (“QF”) variable energy price pursuant
to the terms of the 1992 amendments (“Amendment”) to certain Idaho QFs power purchase
agreements (“Application”). Specifically, the Company requested Commission approval for a
variable energy rate of $24.85 per megawatt hour. The Company requested that its Application be
processed by Modified Procedure with an effective date for the new variable energy rate of July 1,
2023.
The Commission now provides Notice of the Application and sets public comment and
Company reply comment deadlines.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Company indicates thirteen QF contracts were
affected by the Amendment outlining the method used to determine the variable energy component
of the avoided cost rate for QF contracts. The Company represents that only one QF contract
affected by the Amendment remains in effect— Marsh Valley Hydro contract—which is effective
through February 28, 2028.1
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company represents that the variable energy
rate is calculated as the sum of the Company’s fuel costs and Colstrip variable Operation and
Maintenance (“O&M”) cost.2. The Company represents the variable O&M costs were set based

1 The remaining 12 QF contracts originally subject to the Amendment have expired, among which ten have entered
into new PPAs and two did not seek new contracts.
2 The Amendment defines fuel costs “as the average cost of fuel consumed in the Utah Division plants, specifically
Carbon, Hale, Naughton, Huntington, and Hunter coal plants.” Application at 2. The Amendment specifies that any
plant that does not operate in a calendar year will be removed from the average fuel cost calculation. Since Carbon
and Hale plants are now closed, the Company removed these from its calculation.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35775 2
on the variable costs associated with the operation of the coal power generating facility Colstrip,
excluding the generation tax and the line loss adjustments.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that based on that calculation, the Company proposes
the variable energy rate applicable to deliveries commencing July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024,
should be $24.85 per megawatt hour.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application is available for public inspection
during regular business hours at the Commission’s office. All 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 that it will proceed under Modified
Procedure pursuant to Rules 201-204 of the 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 the person supports or opposes the
Application. Persons who would like a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written
comments. Persons interested in filing written comments must do so by May 24, 2023.
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, persons must e-mail the
comments to the Commission 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:

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35775 3
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, ID 83714

For Rocky Mountain Power:

Mark Alder
Rocky Mountain Power
1407 West North Temple, Suite 330
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
[e-mail]

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

Data Request Response Center
PacifiCorp
825 Multnomah, Suite 2000
Portland, OR 97232
[e-mail]

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company must file any reply comments by
May 31, 2023.
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 final
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.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Company’s Application be processed by Modified
Procedure, Rules 201-204. Persons interested in filing written comments must do so by May 24,
2023. The Company must file any reply comments by May 31, 2023.
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. 35775 4
DONE by order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 10th day of
May 2023.

ERIC ANDERSON, PRESIDENT

JOHN R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER

EDWARD LODGE, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secretary

I:\Legal\ELECTRIC\PAC-E-23-14 QFs\orders\PACE2314_Ntc_App_Mod_md.docx