HomeMy WebLinkAbout20020107.min.docMINUTES OF DECISION MEETING
JANUARY 7, 2002 – 1:30 P.M.
In attendance were Commissioners Paul Kjellander and Dennis Hansen. (Commissioner Smith was excused.)
Commissioner Kjellander called the meeting to order. The first order of business was approval of item 1 on the CONSENT AGENDA. There were no questions or comments and the Consent Agenda was approved.
The next order of business was MATTERS IN PROGRESS:
John Hammond’s January 2, 2002 Decision Memorandum re: The Staff’s Request that the Commission Investigate the Buy-Back Rates in the Letter Agreement Entered into by Idaho Power Company and Astaris. Case No. IPC-E-01-43.
Mr. Hammond reviewed his Decision Memorandum. Commissioner Hansen commented that with Staff filing the petition alleging that the contract rates between Idaho Power and Astaris could be unjust and unreasonable, and whereas Idaho Power requested that these payments be part of the PCA, which would definitely have an effect on the other customers, it brought him to believe that the Commission needs to initiate a case and conduct an investigation on the matter to find out if the rates are unjust and unreasonable and if they are in the best interest of the public. He noted that as Mr. Hammond mentioned, the Commission did retain jurisdiction over the agreement, it has the responsibility to look at the rates and make sure they are in line, and it definitely needs to proceed on with this matter.
Commissioner Kjellander stated that he agreed with what Commissioner Hansen said and made a motion that a case be opened to investigate whether the buy-back rates contained in the Letter Agreement between Idaho Power and Astaris are still just and reasonable and that a pre-hearing conference be set for January 14th to discuss preliminary issues and set dates for an evidentiary hearing. He stated that the parties at the pre-hearing conference should also be prepared to discuss the need for an escrow account, which needed to be addressed up front on a going forward basis.
Commissioner Hansen noted that an intervention deadline should be added to the motion since we are moving as quickly as we can, and he suggested an intervention deadline of January 14th.
Commissioner Kjellander amended the motion to include an intervention deadline of January 14th. There was no further discussion. A vote was taken and the motion carried.
Commissioner Kjellander noted that item 3 would be held until the next meeting. He stated the only other items on the agenda were under FULLY SUBMITTED MATTERS and the Commission would take them up under private deliberations. He then adjourned the meeting.
DATED this _____ day of January, 2002.
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COMMISSION SECRETARY