Wyoming Public Service Commission
WYOMING PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
Before the Public Service Commission of Wyoming
Minutes of Regular Open Meeting
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
1:30 p.m.
Commissioners: Chairman Alan B. Minier
Deputy Chairman Steve Oxley (by telephone)
Commissioner Kathleen A. “Cindy” Lewis
John Sundahl, Counsel for Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power
Doug Law, Counsel for Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power
Mark Stege, Cheyenne Light Fuel, and Power
Randy Leinen, Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power
Chris Kilpatrick, Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power (by telephone)
Erin Wentz, Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power (by telephone)
Jack Wyatt, Cheyenne Light Fuel and Power
Barrie McKay, Questar Gas Company (by telephone)
Jenniffer Clark, Counsel for Questar Gas Company (by telephone)
Candice Peterson, Questar Gas Company (by telephone)
Mike Horton, Questar Gas Company (by telephone)
Commission Advisory Staff (CAS): Don Biedermann, Brittney Brinkmeier, Vicky Fry, Perry McCollom, Steve Mink and Dave Walker
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
1. Docket No. 20003-115-EA-12 (Record No. 13063) Application of Cheyenne Light Fuel and Power (CLFP) for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to construct and operate the East Business Park 115-13.8 kV electric substation and related facilities in Laramie County. Commission to consider and act on Application and Petition for Confidential Treatment of Financial Forecasting (Exhibit A to the application). John Sundahl, Counsel for CLFP, summarized the request for the East Business Parkway Substation and traced its history back to May 1994, which was triggered by a request for service to a large load from TechnaCast, a California company seeking to build a metal parts manufacturing facility. After the Commission decided to approve the certificate, TechnaCast decided not to locate it facility here, thus obviating the need for the substation. It reappeared with the current rate case. CLFP argued that it misinterpreted Commission regulations and statutes regarding notification because the project had been authorized in 1994, but it did not come before the Commission and construction began without authorization. The instant application is for the same location and same substation in an area just east of the Lowe’s Distribution Center. Randy Leinen, CLFP, summarized the application noting that the substation was in CLFP’s certificated area. This expansion is necessary for a new data center and other load growth in the area. Steve Mink, Commission Counsel, recommend approval of the Application and Petition for Confidential Treatment by order only, effective immediately. Deputy Chairman Oxley moved to act as recommended, Commissioner Lewis seconded the motion, and Chairman Minier concurred.
2. Docket No. 30005-162-GP-12 (Record No. 13131) Application of Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power Company (CLFP) for authority to pass on a wholesale gas cost decrease of $0.6428 per dekatherm for firm and interruptible rate classes. CLFP has included a Petition for Confidential Treatment of certain exhibits. Commission to consider and act on Application and Petition. Erin Wentz, CLFP, reported this pass on results in a decrease, and this filing establishes the gas cost adjustment rate to reflect projected May 2012 pricing. As of March 2012, CLFP’s Commodity Balancing Account is about $1.1 million dollars over-collected, due to the deferred gas cost debit and unseasonably warm weather. CLFP has additional plans to file a change to its deferred gas cost this summer when volumes are less volatile. There were no questions or comments. Don Biedermann, CAS, recommended granting the Petition for Confidential Treatment, and approving the pass-on by notice and order, effective immediately, to be applicable for usage on and after May 1, 2012, . Deputy Chairman Oxley moved to act as recommended, Commissioner Lewis seconded the motion, and Chairman Minier concurred.
3. Docket No. 30010-116-GT-12 (Record No. 13130) Application of Questar Gas Company for authority to amortize the Conservation Enabling Tariff balancing account. Commission to consider and act on Application. Barrie McKay reported that Questar proposes to refund the over-collected amount in the Conservation Enabling Tariff Balancing Account to customers beginning on May 1, 2012. If approved, typical basic service customers would see a decrease in their bills in the amount about of $8.00 per year. There were no questions. Vicky Fry, Commission Counsel, recommended approval by notice and order, effective for use on and after May 1, 2012, subject to notice protest refund opportunity for hearing, or such orders as Commission may deem appropriate, all being effective immediately. Deputy Chairman Oxley moved to act as recommended, Commissioner Lewis seconded the motion, and Chairman Minier concurred.
Next Regular Open Meeting: Thursday, April 26, 2012
Prepared by: Judy Mitchell
ACCEPTED and APPROVED by the Commission on June 21, 2012
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Chairman Alan B. Minier
Open Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April. 24, 2012 Page 2