HomeMy WebLinkAboutON29039.pdfOffice of the Secretary
Service Date
May 30, 2002
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF INTERMOUNTAIN GAS
COMPANY'S 2002 INTEGRATED RESOURCEPLAN. CASE NO. INT -02-
NOTICE OF FILING
NOTICE OF MODIFIED
PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT
DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 29039
On April 19, 2002, Intermountain Gas Company (IGC; Company) submitted its 2002
Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (Commission). The
Company s filing complies with the Commission s direction in Order No. 24342, Case No.
GNR-93-2 (reference PURPA ~ 303(b)(3), Energy Policy Act of 1992). Intermountain Gas
supplies natural gas to approximately 200 000 customers in southern Idaho. The Company has
requested an effective date of July 1 , 2001. In this Order the Commission elects to process this
filing under Modified Procedure and establishes a written comment deadline.
THE INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that according to the IRP's Executive Summary,
the IRP is meant to describe the currently anticipated conditions over the five-year planning
horizon, the anticipated resource selections and the process for making those resource decisions.
IRP at 1.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that IGC estimates its average increase in
residential and commercial customers between the first quarters of fiscal year 2001 and 2002 to
be 5%. Id. During fiscal year 2001 , 50 percent of the throughput on IGC's system was
attributable to industrial sales and transportation. Id.
NOTICE OF FILING
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 29039
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that IGC developed peak day send out studies and
load duration curves under design weather conditions to determine the magnitude and timing of
future deficiencies in firm peak day delivery capability. Residential, commercial and industrial
peak day send out was matched against available resources to determine which combination of
new resources would be needed to meet IGC's future peak day delivery requirements at the best
possible cost. Id. at 2. Residential, commercial and industrial peak day load growth on IGC'
system is forecasted over the five-year period to grow at an average annual rate of 4%.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that certain geographic regions within IGC's
service territory were analyzed based upon the anticipated or known need for distribution system
upgrades within each specific region. Id. at 4.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Idaho Falls Lateral Region serves a
number of cities between Pocatello north to St. Anthony. The residential, commercial and
industrial load served off this region represents approximately 14% of the total Company
customers and 18% ofthe Company s total winter send out during the winter of 2001-2002. Id.
IGC hopes to work with industrial customers in this region who use alternative fuels to mitigate
small, short duration peak day distribution delivery deficits. However, the projected delivery
deficits are of such magnitude that "looping" of the existing system is warranted, adding the
necessary firm delivery capacity to that area. Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Sun Valley Lateral Region represents
approximately 4% of the total Company customers and 3% of the Company s total winter send
out during the winter of 2001-2002. Id. at 5. When forecasted peak day send out in this region
is matched against the existing peak day distribution capacity (120 000 therms), a peak day
delivery deficit occurs during 2003 and increases thereafter. Id. Growth along the Sun Valley
Lateral Region warrants an upgrade to the existing pipeline system since its limited industrial
load does not currently have the capability to switch to alternative fuels as a means of mitigating
peak day sendout. Id. at 6.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Canyon County Region represented
approximately 12% of the total Company customers and 14% of the Company s total winter send
out during the winter of 2001-2002. Id. When forecasted peak day send out in this region is
matched against the existing peak day distribution capacity (600 000 therms), a peak day
NOTICE OF FILING
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 29039
delivery deficit occurs during 2006 and increases thereafter. Id. This region s diverse industrial
customer base does not currently have the capability to switch to alternative fuels as a means of
mitigating peak day send out and IGC is currently exploring optional means of enhancing this
region s distribution capability. /d. at 7. IGC is also awaiting the outcome of a planned natural
gas fired electric generation plant in the Canyon County Region as the construction of this
facility can potentially provide synergies to the design of IGC's distribution facilities in that
region. Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Intermountain Gas believes the natural gas
supply available from British Columbia, Alberta and the Rocky Mountain regions should be
adequate throughout the five-year forecast period even though the excess supply traditionally
associated with natural gas no longer exists.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Intermountain Gas currently expenences
transportation capacity constraints in the Idaho Falls region and projects that capacity constraints
will occur in the Sun Valley lateral and the Canyon County area in coming years.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Intermountain Gas currently uses two
liquefied and three underground storage facilities to fill the gap between peak demand and
available deliverable supply. The Company generally utilizes these storage facilities to offset
winter load requirements, provide peak load protection and balance its system.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Intermountain Gas considered five non-
traditional resource alternatives to meet the design peak day load, including #2 fuel oil, propane
propane-air, LNG facilities, and compressor stations in its Integrated Resource Plan.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Intermountain Gas s IRP states that the
Company promotes the efficient use of natural gas by its customers. In addition to existing
programs, IGC is currently preparing a spring/summer conversion promotion with Wells Fargo
Bank to promote and finance high-efficiency furnaces and other equipment. IGC is also
reviewing the potential to provide real-time natural gas consumption information to industrial
customers.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has jurisdiction over this
matter and Intermountain Gas Company, a gas utility, pursuant to the authority and power
NOTICE OF FILING
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 29039
granted under Title 61 of the Idaho Code and the Commission s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA
31.01.01.000 et seq.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
Intermountain Gas requests that its Filing be processed under Modified Procedure
, by written submission rather than by hearing. Reference Commission Rules of Procedure
IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has reviewed the filings of
record in Case No. INT-02-2. The Commission has preliminarily determined that the public
interest may not require a hearing to consider the issues presented in this case, and that the issues
raised by the Company s filing may be processed under Modified Procedure. In so doing, the
Commission notes that Modified Procedure and written comment has proven to be an effective
means for obtaining public input and participation.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission will not hold a hearing in
this proceeding unless it receives written protests or comments opposing the use of Modified
Procedure and stating why Modified Procedure should not be used.
31.01.01.203.
Reference IDAP A
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no protests or comments are received
within the deadline, the Commission may consider the matter and enter its Order without a
hearing. If protests or comments are filed within the deadline, the Commission will consider
them and may set the matter for hearing or may decide the matter and issue its Order on the basis
of the written positions before it. Reference IDAP A 31.01.01.204.
NOTICE OF COMMENT DEADLINE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the deadline for filing written comments or
protests with respect to the Filing and the use of Modified Procedure in Case No. INT-02-2 is
Friday, August 2, 2002. Reference IDAPA 31.01.01.202.02. Persons desiring a hearing must
specifically request a hearing in their written protests or comments.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that written comments concerning this
Application must be mailed to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission and the Intermountain Gas
Company at the following addresses:
NOTICE OF FILING
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 29039
COMMISSION SECRETARY
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W WASHINGTON ST
BOISE, ID 83702-5983
MICHAEL P. MCGRATH
DIRECTOR
MARKETING SERVICES &
REGULATORY AFFAIRS
INTERMOUNTAIN GAS COMPANY
PO BOX 7608
BOISE, ID 83707
Email: mmcQrath(Q).intQas.com
These comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this
document. Persons desiring to submit comments via e-mail may do so by accessing the
Commission s homepage located at www.puc.state.id.under the "Comments and Questions
icon. Once at the "Comments and Questions" icon, fill in the case number as it appears on the
front of this document, and enter your comments. These comments must also be sent to the
Applicant at the e-mail addresses listed above.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application in Case No. INT-02-
together with accompanying exhibits and workpapers can be reviewed at www.puc.state.id.
clicking on "File Room" and "Gas Cases " or it can be viewed during regular business hours at
the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, 472 West Washington Street, Boise, Idaho and
Intermountain Gas Company located at 555 South Cole Road in Boise, Idaho (377-6000).
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the foregoing scheduling be adopted.
NOTICE OF FILING
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 29039
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this ;1..9
day of May 2002.
~-OMARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
O:INTG0202
NOTICE OF FILING
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 29039