ESTEB.docx

May 28, 1997
Nancy Esteb, Manager, IRP
PacifiCorp
dba Utah Power & Light Company
825 NE Multnomah
Portland, OR 87232
RE: RAMPP-4 Update (UP&L)
Case No. UPL-E-97-1
Dear Ms. Esteb:
By this letter, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission accepts the RAMPP-4 Update submitted by PacifiCorp dba Utah Power & Light Company. The Company’s underlying RAMPP-4 was acknowledged by Minute Entry signed December 31, 1996.  In its Minute Entry, the Commission acknowledged that the Company’s filing complied with the Commission’s direction in Order No. 22299 issued January 27, 1989, which requires Utah Power to file a biennial resource management report describing the status of the Company’s electric resource planning.  Our acceptance of the Update should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any particular element of the report, nor does it constitute approval of any resource acquisition or proposed action contained in the report.
The Commission acknowledges that the Update filed in this case is not intended to replace the Company’s 1997 RAMPP-5 which will be filed later this year.
In its filing the Company notes that the electric utility industry is moving from regulated monopolies to competitive markets.  We agree with the Company that in this period of transition it is both reasonable and beneficial to more closely assess the need for changes in a utility’s IRP and to submit annual updates, if required by the nature of planning and operational changes.
Very truly yours,
Dennis S. HansenRalph NelsonMarsha H. Smith
PresidentCommissionerCommissioner
bls/L-esteb.sw