27775.docx

(text box: 1)BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF THE WASHINGTON WATER POWER COMPANY FOR AUTHORITY TO SUSPEND THE REQUIREMENT TO FILE A POWER COST ADJUSTMENT (PCA) TARIFF CHANGE PENDING THE OUTCOME OF CASE NO.  WWP-E-98-4 REQUESTING TERMINATION OF THE PCA.
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CASE NO.  WWP-E-98-10
NOTICE OF PETITION
ORDER NO. 27775
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on September 8, 1998, The Washington Water Power Company (Water Power; Company; WWP) filed a “Notice of Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) Trigger Being Exceeded” with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (Commission).  The Company in its notice stated that deferral related to PCA for the month of August 1998 had increased the rebate balance in the PCA deferral account to $3,093,000, exceeding the “trigger” amount of $2,200,000.  Pursuant to established PCA methodology the filing of a proposed revised PCA tariff together with supporting testimony and exhibits is required within 45 days of formal notice.  Reference PCA Methodology Case No.  WWP-E-88-3, Order No.  22816.
On September 30, 1998, Water Power filed a Petition with the Commission in Case No. WWP-E-98-10 requesting permission to suspend the required filing of a revised PCA tariff to implement a $3,093,000 rebate.  The Company notes that pending before the Commission is its April 1, 1998 filing in Case No.  WWP-E-98-4 in which the Company is requesting termination of the PCA and recommending that the Company be permitted to keep any accrued balance in the PCA balancing account.  A hearing is scheduled in that case for October 28, 1998.  The Company is requesting that any decision regarding the Company’s obligation to file be deferred pending the Commission’s final Order in that case.  If the Commission determines that a tariff filing is necessary as a result of its findings in the PCA termination case, Water Power agrees to file a tariff change within 30 days of the date of the Commission’s Order.  Waiting for the outcome of the PCA termination case the Company contends should not unduly delay the implementation of a tariff change, should the Company be required to file same.    The Commission Staff does not support the Company’s filing and contends that the PCA methodology continues until changed and that the Company is obliged to rebate the accrued $3,093,000 to its customers without delay.
Commission Findings
The Commission has reviewed the filings of record in Case No. WWP-E-98-10 and the related filings of record in Case No. WWP-E-98-4.  Based on our review we find it reasonable to grant the Company’s requested relief, i.e., permission to suspend pending final Order in Case No. WWP-E-98-4 the filing of a revised PCA tariff to implement a $3,093,000 rebate.  The Commission notes that without suspension The Washington Water Power Company would be required to make a PCA tariff filing no later than October 23, 1998.  The Commission finds it reasonable to grant the Company’s Petition without prior notice to otherwise interested parties and finds that the public interest will not be harmed by said suspension.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has jurisdiction over The Washington Water 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 as more particularly described above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Petition of The Washington Water Power Company in Case No. WWP-E-98-10 to suspend the required filing of the revised PCA tariff to implement a $3,093,000 rebate pending final Order in Case No. WWP-E-98-4 is granted.
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 October 1998.
                                                                                                                                      DENNIS S. HANSEN, PRESIDENT
                                                                                           RALPH NELSON, COMMISSIONER

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary
vld/O:WWP-E-98-10.sw
COMMENTS AND ANNOTATIONS
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Service Date
October 19, 1998