20240112Notice_of_Modified_Procedure_Order_No_36058.pdf

NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36058 1

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
January 12, 2024
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF INTERMOUNTAIN
GAS COMPANY’S APPLICATION FOR A
DETERMINATION OF 2022 ENERGY
EFFICIENCY EXPENSES AS PRUDENTLY
INCURRED
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CASE NO. INT-G-23-06

NOTICE OF MODIFIED
PROCEDURE

ORDER NO. 36058

On October 6, 2023, Intermountain Gas Company (“Company”), a subsidiary of MDU
Resources Group, Inc., applied to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”) for an
order designating $3,364,641 of 2022 Energy Efficiency expenditures as prudently incurred. The
Company filed its 2022 Energy Efficiency Annual Report concurrently with its Application.
On November 15, 2023, the Commission issued a Notice of Application and Notice of
Intervention Deadline. Order No. 36002. The city of Boise City intervened. Order No. 36032.
The Commission now issues this Notice of Modified Procedure establishing public
comment and Company reply deadlines.
BACKGROUND
In 2017, the Commission authorized the Company to establish the Energy Efficiency
Program (“EE Program”) for its residential customers. Order No. 33757 at 35-37. The purpose of
the EE Program “is to encourage upgrades to, or use of, high efficiency natural gas equipment.”
Rate Schedule EE. On July 27, 2017, in Case No. INT-G-17-03, the Company requested authority
to implement a funding mechanism for the EE Program. The Commission approved the
Company’s requested funding mechanism of an Energy Efficiency Charge (“EEC”), and
ultimately approved Rate Schedule EE, Rate Schedule EEC, and Rate Schedule EEC-RS.
In Case No. INT-G-19-04, the Commission required the Company to conduct a third-
party Evaluation, Measurement, and Verification (“EM&V”) study. This was meant to “review
and update the avoided cost calculation with the Energy Efficiency Stakeholder Committee”
(“EESC”). Application at 4. It was also meant to regularly monitor and update the EE Program
incentives. See Order No. 34536.
In Case No. INT-G-20-04, the Commission granted permission for the Company to
implement a Commercial EE Program. This established a way to fund energy efficiency upgrades
under Rate Schedule EEC-GS (“EEC-GS”). The Commission instructed the Company to create
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36058 2

an EM&V plan. Additionally, the Company was instructed to submit an Annual Commercial EE
Program Report. This report must include representatives from the GS-1 rate class in its EESC.
Finally, the Commercial EE program was to be regularly monitored and updated.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE HEREBY 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 201-204, 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
Application. Persons who would like a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written
comments and explain why written comments alone are insufficient. Persons shall have until
February 22, 2024, 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 website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click the “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. Persons submitting a comment by e-mail
must provide their name, address, and the Case Number under which they are commenting.
Persons submitting a comment by e-mail also acknowledge that submitting a comment in an open
case constitutes a public record under Idaho Code § 74-101(13), and all information provided by
such person is available for public and media inspection.
If computer access is unavailable, then comments may be mailed to the Commission and
Company at the addresses below. Persons submitting a comment by mail must provide their name,
address, and the Case Number under which they are commenting. Persons submitting a comment
by mail also acknowledge that submitting a comment in an open case constitutes a public record
under Idaho Code § 74-101(13), and all information provided by such person is available for public
and media inspection.

NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36058 3

For the 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 the Company:

Lori Blattner
Intermountain Gas Company
P.O. Box 7608
Boise, ID 83707
[e-mail]

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

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company must file any reply comments by
March 15, 2024.
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 Company’s Application be processed by Modified
Procedure. Persons interested in submitting written comments must do so by February 22, 2024.
The Company must file any reply comments by March 15, 2024.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that parties comply with Order No. 35375, issued April 21,
2022. Generally, all pleadings should be filed with the Commission electronically and will be
deemed timely filed when received by the Commission Secretary. See Rule 14.02. Service between
parties should continue to be accomplished electronically when possible. However, voluminous
discovery-related documents may be filed and served on CD-ROM or a USB flash drive.
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NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36058 4

DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 12th day of
January 2024.

ERIC ANDERSON, PRESIDENT

JOHN R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER

EDWARD LODGE, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:

Monica Barrios-Sanchez
Interim Commission Secretary

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