20130104order_no_32709.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
January 4.2013
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF INTERMOUNTAIN )GAS COMPANY’S REQUEST TO RESPOND )CASE NO.INT-G-13-0l
TO AN EMERGENCY REQUEST FOR )LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS (LNG))ORDER NO.32709
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)
On January 4,2013,Intermountain Gas Company advised the Commission that it had
received “an emergency request from Energy West of West Yellowstone,Montana to supply
liquefied natural gas (LNG)to Energy West.”Energy West operates a natural gas distribution
system in West Yellowstone and utilizes ENG for its natural gas supply.According to
Intermountain Gas and Energy West,a recent power outage and cold weather has caused “an
unexpected shut down”of Energy West’s primary LNG supplier.Consequently,Energy West
has requested that Intermountain Gas sell LNG from its Nampa facility to Energy West.
At the present time,Intermountain Gas does not have a tariff schedule that authorizes
it to sell LNG to customers.Intermountain Gas states that it anticipates requesting such authority
from the Commission at a future date and that it will propose the tariff details under which
Intermountain Gas would sell LNG.Nevertheless,Intermountain Gas requests the Commission
issue an immediate Order authorizing it to sell LNG to Energy West based upon the emergency
outlined in Energy West’s letter to Intermountain Gas and based on its representation that it has
adequate supplies for its Idaho customers.
COMMISSION FINDINGS
Given the representations contained in the letters of Intermountain Gas and Energy
West,we find that there is an emergency that necessitates the sale of LNG by Intermountain Gas
without a tariff.Consequently,we find that there is good cause to authorize Intermountain Gas
to sell up to 100,000 gallons of LNG to Energy West as soon as possible.Although we
recognize that Energy West does not serve Idaho customers,the Commission does have the
authority to declare an emergency if it finds that there is an insufficient supply of energy that
threatens the health,safety and welfare of citizens.Idaho Code §61-533.
The Commission directs Intermountain Gas to defer all revenue and costs related to
the sale of LNG to Energy West under this emergency Order until Intermountain Gas files its
implementing tariff schedule.We also find that any subsequent or additional requests for
ORDER NO.32709 1
emergency service shall be brought to the Commission on case-by-case basis for consideration
prior to any sales.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that based upon the emergency situation outlined above,
Intermountain Gas Company is authorized to sell up to 100,000 gallons of LNG to Energy West.
Intermountain Gas shall defer all revenue and costs related to the sale of LNG to Energy West
until such time as it can file an appropriate application authorizing such a service.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Commission Secretary serve this emergency
Order on Intermountain Gas Company and Energy West via electronic service.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this
day of January 2013.
PAUL KJELLA D’R,PRESiDENT
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MACK A REDF R ,COMMISSIONER
MARSHA H.SMITH,COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
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Jqh D.Jewefl(i
Cô’mmission Secretary
bls/O:INT-G-1 3-01db
ORDER NO.32709 2