26963.docx

(text box: 1)BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF THE WASHINGTON WATER POWER COMPANY FOR APPROVAL OF AN ELECTRIC PUR­CHASE AGREEMENT WITH RAYONIER.
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CASE NO. WWP-E-97-4
ORDER NO.  26963
On May 1, 1997, The Washington Water Power Company (Water Power; Company) filed an Application with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (Commission) requesting approval pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 of a Power Sale Agreement (Agreement) between Rayonier and Water Power dated April 10, 1997.
Rayonier operates a PURPA qualified wood waste power electric generation facility at Plummer, Idaho.  A prior Power Sales Agreement with Wood Power Inc. for the same facility was recently terminated for a buy-out cost of $9,500,000.  Reference Case No. WWP-E-96-8, Order No 26751 issued January 3, 1997.  
By letter dated May 23, 1997, filed with the Commission Secretary, The Washington Water Power Company requests that its pleading in Case No. WWP-E-97-4 be withdrawn, and that no further action be taken upon the Petition.  Reference Commission Rules of Procedure, Rule 67 Withdrawal of Pleadings.  As set forth in its letter, the Company notes that although the power purchased is generated by a facility qualified under PURPA, the decision to purchase results from the Company’s exercise of its option, not from an obligation to purchase.  
Commission Findings
The Commission has reviewed and considered the filings of record in Case No. WWP-E-97-4 including the underlying Petition and the Company’s request for withdrawal of its pleading.  There appearing to be good cause, the Commission finds it reasonable to grant the Company’s request and to close the docket in Case No. WWP-E-97-4.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has jurisdiction over this matter and The Washington Power Company, an electric utility, pursuant to the authority and power granted under Title 61 of the Idaho Code and the Commission’s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
O R D E R
In consideration of the foregoing and because The Washington Water Power Company has pursuant to IDAPA 31.01.01.067 withdrawn its pleading, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the docket in Case No. WWP-E-97-4 is closed.
THIS IS A FINAL ORDER.  Any person interested in this Order may petition for reconsideration within twenty-one (21) days of the service date of this Order.  Within seven (7) days after any person has petitioned for reconsideration, any other person may cross-petition for reconsideration.  See Idaho Code § 61-626.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this                  day of May 1997.
                                                                                                                                      DENNIS S. HANSEN, PRESIDENT
                                                                                           RALPH NELSON, COMMISSIONER

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary
vld/O:WWP-E-97-4.sw
COMMENTS AND ANNOTATIONS
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Service Date
June 2, 1997