27636.docx

(text box: 1)BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE WASHINGTON WATER POWER COMPANY’S SCHEDULED AUGUST 1999 ELECTRIC INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN (IRP) FILING.

IN THE MATTER OF THE WASHINGTON WATER POWER COMPANY’S SCHEDULED FEBRUARY 1999 NATURAL GAS INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN (IRP) FILING.
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CASE NO.WWP-E-98-8
CASE NO.WWP-G-98-1
ORDER NO. 27636
On May 19, 1998, The Washington Water Power Company (Water Power; Company) filed a May 15, 1998, letter request with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (Commission) requesting Commission authorization to postpone its scheduled August 1999 electric IRP filing until August 2000, and then every two years thereafter.  By prior Commission Order No. 22299 the Company is required to file every two years.
Also on May 19, 1998, Water Power filed a May 12, 1998, letter request with the Commission requesting Commission authorization to postpone its scheduled February 1999 natural gas IRP filing until February 2000, and then every two years thereafter.  By prior Commission Order No. 25342 the Company is required to file every two years.
The Company represents that recent changes and activity in the electric industry and anticipated future changes in the industry at the national and state levels (e.g., customer choice; retail competition; open market; deregulation; reregulation) have created significant uncertainty that necessitates a need for more time to assess the unfolding changes, reregulation and its potential impacts on the Company.  An extra year will give Water Power, working with regulatory staffs, time to determine what information needs to be included in the next IRP.  The Company represents a delay in both the electric and natural gas IRPs would result in a better alignment between the electric and gas IRPs regarding load and economic forecasts.
The Company remains committed to the IRP process, believes that the IRP process provides meaningful benefit to its customers and is an ardent supporter of public involvement in the process.  The Company has contacted its other state regulatory commissions recommending a similar postponement.
Commission Findings
The Commission has reviewed and considered the filings of record in Case Nos. WWP-E-98-8 and WWP-G-98-1.  The Commission has also reviewed its underlying IRP Order Nos. 22299 and 25342 regarding scheduled filings.
The Commission finds that the Company’s representations as set forth above provide sufficient basis and reasonable grounds for granting the requested relief, i.e., a one year postponement in its scheduled electric and natural gas IRP filings.  We find it reasonable to treat the Company’s filings as a Rule 53(a) petition requesting modification, amendment or stay of an existing Order.  We further find it reasonable upon a finding of good cause to grant the requested relief without further notice or Modified Procedure.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has jurisdiction over this matter and over The Washington Water Power Company, an electric and natural gas 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 as more particularly described above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED and The Washington Water Power Company is hereby authorized to postpone its scheduled August 1999 Electric IRP filing until August 2000, and then is required to file every two years thereafter.  Reference Order No. 22299.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED and The Washington Water Power Company is hereby authorized to postpone its February 1999 Natural Gas IRP filing until February 2000, and then is required to file every two years thereafter.  Reference Order No. 25342.
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 July 1998.
                                                                                                                                      DENNIS S. HANSEN, PRESIDENT
                                                                                           RALPH NELSON, COMMISSIONER

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary
vld/O:WWP-E-98-8.sw
COMMENTS AND ANNOTATIONS
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Service Date
July 23, 1998