20231102Notice_of_Application_Order_No_35980.pdf

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35980 1
Office of the Secretary
Service Date
November 2, 2023
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-23-20

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

NOTICE OF
MODIFIED PROCEDURE

ORDER NO. 35980

On October 16, 2023, Rocky Mountain Power, a division of PacifiCorp (“Company”),
applied for approval of its updated load forecast, natural gas price forecast, and contracts used as
inputs in the Company’s Integrated Resource Plan (“IRP”) avoided cost calculations, as required
by Order Nos. 32697 and 32802. 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 its Application be processed by Modified Procedure with an effective
date of October 15, 2023.
On October 24, 2023, the Company filed an Errata to correct the effective date
requested in the Application to January 1, 2024.
The Commission now provides this Notice of Application and establishes comment
deadlines for interested persons and the Company’s 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 2022 and May 2023 (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.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35980 2
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company stated its most current Official
Forward Price Curve (“OFPC”) was completed on September 29, 2023. 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 “relatively unchanged or down slightly,” except for
Sumas, where gas prices increased slightly, compared to last year’s OFPC. Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company stated that it entered 29 long-
term contracts—including 23 long-term QF contracts—for a total nameplate capacity of 1,717.6
megawatts (“MW”). Additionally, five long-term contracts expired that were not renewed, for a
total nameplate capacity of 63.4 MW. Id. at 6; Table 3. Currently, the Company is a party to 46
non-PURPA, long-term power purchase agreements (nameplate capacity of 4,806 MW), and 163
PURPA QF projects (nameplate capacity of 2,206 MW).
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application and Attachments are 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 4, 2023, to file written comments. Comments must be filed

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35980 3
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
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:

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company must file any reply comments by
December 11, 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 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. Persons interested in submitting written comments must do so by
December 4, 2023. The Company must file any reply comments by December 11, 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
For the Idaho PUC:

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

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

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35980 4
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.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 2nd day
of November 2023.

ERIC ANDERSON, PRESIDENT

JOHN R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER

EDWARD LODGE, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secretary

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