20210818Notice_of_Application_Order_No_35140.pdf

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35140 1

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
August 18, 2021
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF INTERMOUNTAIN
GAS COMPANY’S APPLICATION FOR
AUTHORITY TO UPDATE RATES TO
REFLECT PURCHASED GAS COST
ADJUSTMENTS
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CASE NO. INT-G-21-04

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

NOTICE OF
MODIFIED PROCEDURE

ORDER NO. 35140

On August 6, 2021, Intermountain Gas Company (“Company”) requested authority to
place into effect on October 1, 2021, new rate schedules that would increase its annualized
revenues by $24.2 million. If approved, the Company’s proposal would increase the price of
natural gas for residential customers by 9.01%, increase the price for GS-1 General Service
customers 11.96%, increase the price for LV-1 Large Volume customers 15.99%, and decrease the
price for T-3 Transportation customers -1.95%, increase the price for T-4 Demand Charge
customers 0.70%, and not change the prices for T-4 Transportation customers.
The Commission now issues this Notice of Application and Notice of Modified
Procedure setting comment and reply deadlines.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Company’s rates include a base-rate
component and a gas-related cost component. The base-rate component is intended to cover the
Company’s fixed costs to serve its customers—for example, the Company’s costs for equipment
and facilities to provide service—and rarely change. The Commission approved the Company’s
current temporary rates in Order No. 34797, Case No. INT-G-20-05.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the gas-related cost component of the
Company’s rates is at issue here. Specifically, with this Application, the Company seeks to change
its rates to pass through to customers changes in gas-related costs resulting from: (1) costs billed
to the Company from firm transportation providers; (2) an increase to the Company’s Weighted
Average Cost of Gas; (3) an updated customer allocation of gas-related costs pursuant to the
Company’s Purchased Gas Cost Adjustment (“PGA”) provision; (4) the inclusion of temporary
surcharges and credits for one year relating to natural gas purchases and interstate transportation
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35140 2

costs from the Company’s deferred gas accounts; (5) benefits generated from the Company’s
management of its storage and firm capacity rights on various pipeline systems; (6) benefits
associated with the sale of liquefied natural gas from the Company’s Nampa, Idaho facility; (7) a
portion of the costs accrued related to the Company’s latest general rate case; and (8) the recovery
of deferred in-person customer payment fees.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the changes to the rates will increase the
Company’s annualized revenues by about $24.2 million but will not impact earnings.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company also explains that the proposed
rate changes would be allocated to customer classes through its PGA provision.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company provides supporting exhibits that
show the overall price changes by customer class. The Company also summarizes price changes
and proposed rate schedules and tariff sheets.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application and supporting documentation
have been filed with the Commission and are available for public inspection. These documents
are available on the Commission’s web site at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on the “NATURAL
GAS” icon, select “Open Cases,” and click on the case number as shown on the front of this
document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held
pursuant to the Commission’s jurisdiction under Title 61 of the Idaho Code.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be conducted
pursuant to the Commission’s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined that the public
interest may not require a formal hearing in this matter and it will review the case through written
submissions under the Commission’s Rules of Modified Procedure Rules 201 through 204 of the
Idaho Public Utilities Commission’s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204. The
Commission notes that Modified Procedure and written comments have proven to be an effective
means for obtaining public input and participation.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons desiring to state a position on this
Application may file a written comment explaining why the person supports or opposes the
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35140 3

Application. Persons who would like a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written
comments. Persons shall have until September 10, 2021, to file written comments. Comments
must be filed through the Commission’s website or by e-mail unless computer access is
unavailable. To comment electronically, please access the Commission’s home page at
www.puc.idaho.gov. Click the “Consumers” tab and then “Case Comment Form” and complete
the form using the case number as it appears on the front of this document. To file by e-mail, the
customer must e-mail the comments to the Commission Secretary and the Company at the e-mail
addresses listed below. If e-mail is unavailable, then comments may be mailed to the Commission
and Company at these addresses:
For the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission:

Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
[e-mail]

Street Address for Express Mail:

11331 W. Chinden Blvd.
Building 8, Suite 201-A
Boise, Idaho 83714

For Intermountain Gas Company:

Lori A. Blattner
Director – Regulatory Affairs
Intermountain Gas Company
P.O. Box 7608
Boise, ID 83707
[e-mail]

Preston N. Carter
Givens Pursley LLP
601 W. Bannock St.
Boise, Idaho 83702
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company must file any reply comments
by September 16, 2021.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are received
within the time limit set, the Commission will consider this matter on its merits and enter its order
without a formal hearing. If written comments are received within the time limit set, the
Commission will consider them and, in its discretion, may set the same for formal hearing.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Application of Intermountain Gas be processed by
Modified Procedure, Rule 201-204 (IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204). Persons interested in submitting
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35140 4

written comments must do so by September 10, 2021. The Company must file any reply comments
by September 16, 2021.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that parties should continue to comply with Order No.
35058, issued June 3, 2021. All pleadings should be filed with the Commission electronically and
shall be deemed timely filed when received by the Commission Secretary. See Rule 14.02. Service
between parties should also be accomplished electronically. Voluminous discovery-related
documents may be filed and served on CD-ROM or a USB flash drive.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 18th day
of August 2021.

PAUL KJELLANDER, PRESIDENT

KRISTINE RAPER, COMMISSIONER

ERIC ANDERSON, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:

Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secretary

I:\Legal\GAS\INT-G-21-04\INTG2104_Ntc App Mod_dh.docx