ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY PROPOSED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT DOCKET NO. E-01345A-08-0172 JUNE 12, 2009
Exhibit 99.1
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
PROPOSED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
DOCKET NO. E-01345A-08-0172
JUNE 12, 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PURPOSE OF AGREEMENT AND LIST OF SIGNATORIES |
4 | |||
I. RECITALS |
5 | |||
II. RATE CASE STABLILITY PROVISIONS |
10 | |||
A. General Rate Case Filing Plan |
10 | |||
B. Accelerated PSA Reset |
11 | |||
III. RATE INCREASE |
12 | |||
IV. COST OF CAPITAL |
14 | |||
V. DEPRECIATION |
14 | |||
VI. FUEL AND POWER SUPPLY ADJUSTMENT PROVISIONS |
15 | |||
VII. APS EXPENSE REDUCTION COMMITMENT |
15 | |||
VIII. EQUITY INFUSIONS TO BE MADE BY APS |
16 | |||
IX. PENSION AND OPEB DEFFERALS |
17 | |||
X. TREATMENT OF SCHEDULE 3 |
17 | |||
XI. ADJUSTMENT OF DEPRECIATION RATES FOR PALO VERDE LICENSE EXTENSION |
19 | |||
XII. LIMIT ON RECOVERY OF ANNUAL CASH INCENTIVE COMPENSATION FOR APS EXECUTIVES |
20 | |||
XIII. PERIODIC EVALUATION |
21 | |||
A. Performance Measurements |
21 | |||
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B. Reporting Requirements |
23 | |||
C. Benchmarking Study of APS Operations and Cost Performance |
25 | |||
XIV. DEMAND SIDE MANAGEMENT |
27 | |||
XV. RENEWABLE ENERGY |
31 | |||
XVI. LOW INCOME PROGRAMS |
34 | |||
XVII. REVENUE SPREAD |
35 | |||
XVIII. RATE DESIGN |
35 | |||
XIX. INTERRUPTIBLE RATE SCHEDULES AND OTHER DEMAND REDUCTION PROGRAMS |
36 | |||
XX. DEMAND RESPONSE |
36 | |||
XXI. OTHER RATE SCHEDULE MATTERS |
37 | |||
XXII. FORCE MAJEURE PROVISION |
38 | |||
XXIII. COMMISSION EVALUATION OF PROPOSED SETTLEMENT |
38 | |||
XXIV. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS |
39 | |||
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PROPOSED SETTLEMENT OF DOCKET NO. E-01345-A-08-0172
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY REQUEST FOR RATE
ADJUSTMENT
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY REQUEST FOR RATE
ADJUSTMENT
The purpose of this Settlement Agreement (“Agreement”) is to settle disputed issues related to
Xxxxxx Xx. X-00000X-00-0000, Xxxxxxx Public Service Company’s (“APS” or “Company”) application to
increase rates. This Agreement is entered into by the following entities:
AzAg Group
Arizona Association of School Business Officials (“AASBO”)
Arizona Corporation Commission Utilities Division (“Staff”)
Arizona Investment Council (“AIC”)
Arizona Public Service Company (“APS”)
Arizona School Boards Association (“ASBA”)
Arizonans for Electric Choice and Competition (“AECC”)
Bowie Power Station, LLC (“Bowie”)
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Federal Executive Agencies (“FEA”)
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (“Freeport-McMoRan”)
IBEW Locals 387, 640, 769
Interwest Energy Alliance (“Interwest”)
Kroger Co. (“Kroger”)
Mesquite Power, LLC (“Mesquite”)
Residential Utility Consumer Office (“RUCO”)
Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (“SWEEP”)
Southwestern Power Group II, LLC (“SWPG”)
Town of Wickenburg
Western Resource Advocates (“WRA”)
Arizona Association of School Business Officials (“AASBO”)
Arizona Corporation Commission Utilities Division (“Staff”)
Arizona Investment Council (“AIC”)
Arizona Public Service Company (“APS”)
Arizona School Boards Association (“ASBA”)
Arizonans for Electric Choice and Competition (“AECC”)
Bowie Power Station, LLC (“Bowie”)
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Federal Executive Agencies (“FEA”)
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (“Freeport-McMoRan”)
IBEW Locals 387, 640, 769
Interwest Energy Alliance (“Interwest”)
Kroger Co. (“Kroger”)
Mesquite Power, LLC (“Mesquite”)
Residential Utility Consumer Office (“RUCO”)
Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (“SWEEP”)
Southwestern Power Group II, LLC (“SWPG”)
Town of Wickenburg
Western Resource Advocates (“WRA”)
These entities shall be referred to collectively as “Signatories;” a single entity shall be
referred to individually as a “Signatory.”
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The following numbered paragraphs comprise the Signatories’ Agreement.
I. RECITALS.
1.1. The purpose of this Agreement is to settle all issues presented by Docket No.
E-01345A-08-0172 in a manner that will promote the public interest.
1.2 Docket No. E-01345A-08-0172 was commenced by the filing of a rate application by APS on March
24, 2008. The Company filed an amended application on June 2, 2008. On June 6, 2008, the Company
filed a Motion for Approval of Interim Rates and Preliminary Order. The Company requested an
Interim Base Rate Surcharge of $.003987 per kWh (or interim rates in an amount of $115 million),
which would offset the fall off of the 2007 Power Supply Adjustor (“PSA”) surcharge.
1.3 The Commission approved the applications to intervene filed by Kroger, Freeport-McMoRan and
AECC (collectively “AECC”), Mesquite, SWPG, Bowie, the Town of Wickenburg, WRA, SWEEP, RUCO, AIC,
AZ-Ag Group, FEA, AASBO, ASBA, IBEW Locals 387, 640 and 769, Interwest, Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Catalyst
Paper, the Hopi Tribe, SCA Tissue North America, and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx-Xxxxxx.
1.4 In its Motion, APS asserted that its earnings and cash flow are inadequate to finance its
capital needs and so it “must borrow huge sums to keep up with the needs of APS customers.” APS
asserted that its distribution, transmission, generation plant improvements, and new environmental
control systems infrastructure investment requirements have increased and that the underlying cost
of material, commodities and land for construction of this infrastructure has also increased. APS
testified that its net cash flow for the past five years shows that APS’ financial health has
weakened considerably. APS also testified that its credit ratings on its outstanding debt are
currently among the lowest that they can possibly be without being regarded as “junk.” APS also
testified that a downgrade to “junk” status was imminent without interim relief and that the
effects of a downgrade might cause APS to lose all access to the credit markets, and jeopardize its
ability to obtain credit on reasonable terms. APS also testified that the consequences of a
downgrade would be dramatic and enduring and
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would likely cause APS to incur higher interest rates resulting in increased costs to the Company
of $1 billion over the next 10 years.
1.5 Staff and Intervenors filed testimony on APS’ request for interim rates on August 29, 2008, and
APS filed rebuttal on September 8, 2008. An evidentiary hearing was held on the Company’s request
for interim rates on September 15 through September 20, 2008.
1.6 Staff and RUCO opposed the Company’s request for interim rates on different grounds. Staff
believed that the Company’s filings did not provide a basis under Arizona law in which to grant the
Company interim relief. Nonetheless, Staff recognized that given the extraordinary financial
market crisis occurring at the time, the Commission may desire to award some interim relief to the
Company, and as an alternative Staff proposed an amount of approximately $65 million, based upon
increased investment in net plant using the most recently approved cost of capital.
1.7 In the fall of 2008, pre-existing difficulties in the subprime mortgage market escalated,
resulting in one of the most severe financial crises in the debt and equity markets this country
has seen. That crisis underscored the importance for companies like APS to maintain a financial
condition that (i) allows access to the volatile and uncertain financial markets in order to secure
necessary financing at reasonable rates, and (ii) allows APS to obtain credit from vendors and
lenders on reasonable terms. That financial crisis continues today. In part as a result of that
crisis, Arizona and the rest of the nation have also entered into a severe recession which is
negatively impacting APS, its customers, and other interested parties.
1.8 On December 24, 2008, the Commission granted APS interim rates in the amount of $65.2 million
in Decision No. 70667. The increase was implemented through an interim base rate surcharge of
$0.00226 per kWh effective with bills issued after December 31, 2008. The interim rates remain in
effect until a final order is issued by the Commission in APS’ pending permanent case.
1.9 The procedural schedule on the Company’s permanent case set the deadline for Staff and
Intervenor non-rate design direct testimony on December 19, 2008. On that date, testimony was
filed by Staff, RUCO, AECC, IBEW 387, 640 and 769, Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, SWEEP, WRA, AASBO
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and ASBA. Staff and Intervenor direct testimony on rate design issues was filed on January 9,
2009.
1.10 APS proposed, and IBEW Locals 387, 640 and 769 supported, a total rate increase of
approximately $448 million. Staff proposed a total rate increase of approximately $307 million.
RUCO proposed a total rate increase of approximately $157 million. AECC’s testimony would have
resulted in a total rate increase of approximately $347 million.
1.11 APS filed a notice of settlement discussions on January 23, 2009. The parties to the
proceeding subsequently held settlement discussions. On January 30, 2009, APS filed a Motion to
Suspend Procedural Schedule. The Hearing Division granted a similar request made by the Company on
March 5, 2009. A procedural conference was held on April 7, 2009 and again on April 21, 2009.
1.12 At a procedural conference held on April 21, 2009, APS, Staff and the other participating
Intervenors indicated that they had reached an agreement in principle on revenue requirement issues
and that substantial agreement had been reached on other issues. The Settling Parties agreed to
file a Term Sheet containing the major provisions of the Agreement on May 4, 2009. On May 4, 2009,
the Settling Parties filed a Term Sheet outlining the agreement in principle reached with APS. A
xxxx impact analysis statement was filed by the Settling Parties on May 15, 2009.
1.13 A procedural order was issued on May 11, 2009 establishing deadlines for the filing of
testimony on the Settlement Agreement and an evidentiary hearing commencing on August 19, 2009.
1.14 The settlement discussions were open, transparent, and inclusive of all parties to this Docket
who desired to participate. All parties to this Docket were notified of the settlement discussion
process, were encouraged to participate in the negotiations, and were provided with an equal
opportunity to participate.
1.15 The purpose of this Agreement is to settle all issues presented by Docket No. E-01345-08-0172
in a manner that will promote the public interest. The Signatories believe that this Agreement
creates a rate and financial stability program for APS that appropriately balances the risks of
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APS, its employees, its customers, and other interested parties. In addition, this Agreement
creates a framework that the Signatories agree could ultimately improve APS’ financial metrics and
bond ratings, which over the long term would benefit customers by allowing APS to borrow at more
attractive rates, and also improve its vendor and lender creditworthiness, thereby increasing
operational flexibility. Additionally, the terms of this Agreement are just, reasonable, fair and
in the public interest in that they, among other things, (i) establish just and reasonable rates
for APS’ customers; (ii) promote the convenience, comfort and safety, and the preservation of the
health, of the employees and patrons of APS; (iii) resolve the issues arising from this Docket; and
(iv) avoid unnecessary litigation expense and delay.
1.16 The Signatories believe that they have developed a settlement package that balances APS’ rate
increase with benefits for customers. These benefits include:
a) Investments in Arizona’s Energy Future.
• | establishment of energy efficiency goals and the creation of tiered
performance incentives to encourage meeting those goals; |
• | at least 100 schools served by DSM programs and at least 1,000 customers in
existing homes served by the Home Performance enhanced program element by
December 31, 2010; |
• | placement of renewable energy projects at Arizona schools and government
institutions; |
• | a plan for utility scale photovoltaic generation and an RFP for in-state
wind generation; |
• | additional renewable energy projects to be in place by 2015 which, in
combination with existing renewable commitments, will result in approximately
10% of APS’ retail sales coming from renewable resources; and, |
• | construction of one or more renewable energy transmission facilities. |
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b) Commitments Benefiting Low-Income Customers.
• | continued rate discounts for low income ratepayers, holding these
ratepayers harmless from the rate increase; |
• | creation of a new xxxx assistance program to benefit customers whose
incomes exceed 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines but are less than
or equal to 200% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines, funded by APS; and, |
• | waiving additional security deposits for low income ratepayers. |
c) Rate Stability Plan.
• | an increase in rate stability, including an extended period without base
rate increases and a scheduled plan for future rate cases, resulting in
greater administrative efficiency and reduced uncertainty for both APS and
ratepayers. |
d) Rate Related Benefits.
• | an improvement in APS’ ability to attract capital, maintain reliability and
sustain growth; |
• | a limit on recovery through rates of executive incentive compensation based
upon performance; |
• | a sustained reduction of expenses of at least $30 million per year, which
will reduce the need for future rate increases; |
• | an infusion of at least $700 million of additional equity and an
improvement in APS’ financial metrics, strengthening its bond rating and
reducing future debt costs; |
• | a plan to be prepared by APS to maintain investment grade financial ratios
and improve APS’ financial metrics; |
• | an acceleration of the refund of any over-collected amounts in the PSA
account, resulting in a lower adjustor rate that will partially offset the
base rate increase; |
• | a reduced Systems Benefits Charge in 2012 if a Palo Verde license extension
is approved before the conclusion of the next rate case; and, |
• | continued 90/10 sharing of the PSA. |
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e) Creation of Performance Measures for APS.
f) New Rate Design Options.
• | creation of an optional super-peak tariff for residential customers and
other critical peak pricing rates; |
• | twelve month reopening of the E-20 House of Worship tariff; |
• | development of Interruptible Rate Schedules and other Demand Response
Programs for large customers; and, |
• | a new optional time of use rate for schools. |
1.17 The Signatories desire that the Commission issue an order (i) finding that the terms and
conditions of this Agreement are just and reasonable, together with any and all other necessary
findings; (ii) concluding that the Agreement is in the public interest; (iii) granting approval of
the Agreement; and (iv) ordering that the Agreement and its terms be effective upon Commission
approval.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
II. RATE CASE STABILITY PROVISIONS.
A. General Rate Case Filing Plan.
2.1 The Signatories agree to two scheduled general base rate cases for APS to address plant
additions and other rate matters which schedule shall cover the period of January 1, 2010 through
December 31, 2014 (“Plan Term”). APS is prohibited from filing its next two general rate cases
until on or after June 1, 2011 and June 1, 2013 respectively. No new base rates resulting from
APS’ next general rate case will be effective before July 1, 2012.
2.2 The test year end (TYE) date for each of the base rate increase filings contemplated herein
shall be:
6/1/2011 filing: TYE no earlier than 12-31-2010
6/1/2013 filing: TYE no earlier than 12-31-2012
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2.3 The Signatories agree to use good faith efforts to process APS’ case(s) within 12 months of a
sufficiency finding. The Company shall provide a one hundred twenty (120) day notice to the
Commission and the Signatories of its intent prior to filing a new rate case. The notice shall at
a minimum specify the following:
• | That an application for a general rate change is planned; |
• | The anticipated date of the filing; |
• | The proposed effective date of the general rate change; |
• | Any major issues which the utility, at the time of filing the notice of
intent, expects to raise in conjunction with the application. |
2.4 In recognition of resource constraints and to assist the Commission in processing the case(s),
within 60 days after the notification filing, APS, Staff and the other Signatories will meet and
confer prior to the filing of such case(s) in an effort to narrow issues, to streamline the
processing of the case and to identify an initial set of standard data requests to which APS will
respond as part of its rate application.
2.5 The Signatories recognize the desirability of maintaining an appropriate interval between the
filing of rate applications. If the Commission has not issued a final order in APS’ first rate
case (the “on or after June 1, 2011” filing) by July 1, 2012, the parties will meet and confer in
order to determine an appropriate date for filing APS’ next rate case and an appropriate test year
ending date. If the parties are unable to agree to such dates, the matter shall be referred to the
Commission for determination.
B. Accelerated PSA Reset.
2.6 If, at the time new rates are implemented, the PSA account has an over-collected balance, the
PSA reset would be accelerated from February 1, 2010, so that the reduction in the PSA level would
partially offset the increase to higher base rates.
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III. RATE INCREASE.
3.1 The Commission granted APS an interim increase of $65.2 million in 2008. The Signatories agree
that the interim surcharge shall be confirmed without any refund obligation.
3.2 The Signatories agree that APS will receive an additional non-fuel Base Rate Increase as a
result of this Agreement of approximately $131.1 million over the interim increase (“revenue
deficiency”).
3.3 The total non-fuel Base Rate Increase granted in this case (interim plus settlement) will be
$196.3 million. When adjusted for both the interim increase and an additional $11.2 million of
revenue associated with establishing new base fuel levels, this settlement represents an
approximate 7.9% increase in base rate revenue.
3.4 The rationale for the $196.3 million Base Rate Increase includes, in addition to other items
contained in Staff’s direct case, providing for a return on and of post-test year plant through
June 30, 2009, eighteen (18) months beyond the test year ending December 31, 2007, as well as the
Signatories’ desire to enhance APS’ ability to retain and improve its current investment-grade
credit rating, thereby enabling APS to attract capital at reasonable cost, and to also optimize its
operational flexibility, in order to be better positioned to meet its customers’ future energy
service needs.
3.5 For ratemaking purposes and for the purposes of this Agreement, the Signatories agree that the
fair value of APS’ jurisdictional rate base for the test year ending December 31, 2007 (the “test
year”) is $7,665,727,000.
3.6 In addition, under this Agreement, APS is allowed to recover an increase in base fuel costs of
$137.2 million, for a total rate increase of $344.7 million.
3.7 The Signatories agree that the opportunity to recover the revenue deficiency results in just
and reasonable rates for APS’ customers. The agreements set forth herein regarding the
quantification of fair value rate base, fair value rate of return, and the revenue deficiency are
made for
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purposes of settlement only and should not be construed as admissions against interest or waivers
of litigation positions related to other cases.
3.8 A comparison of various of the Signatories’ initial proposed increases compared to that
resulting from the Agreement is contained in the following table:
Comparison of APS, Staff, RUCO and Settlement | APS | Staff | RUCO | AECC | ||||||||||||||||
Summary of Base Rate Increase | Proposed | Proposed | Proposed | Proposed | Settlement | |||||||||||||||
(Thousands of Dollars) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Components of Total Rate Increase |
||||||||||||||||||||
Base Rate Increase |
$ | 264,341 | $ | 155,062 | $ | (27,281 | ) | $ | 205,444 | $ | 196,300 | |||||||||
Fuel Related Increase in Base Rates |
$ | 13,876 | $ | 11,436 | $ | 13,876 | $ | 10,695 | $ | 11,203 | ||||||||||
Total Base Rate Increase |
$ | 278,217 | $ | 166,498 | $ | (13,405 | ) | $ | 216,139 | $ | 207,503 | |||||||||
Adjusted Base Cost of Fuel Related Increase |
$ | 169,977 | $ | 140,088 | $ | 169,977 | $ | 130,527 | $ | 137,235 | ||||||||||
Total Rate Increase Requested |
$ | 448,194 | $ | 306,586 | $ | 156,572 | $ | 346,666 | $ | 344,738 | ||||||||||
Percentage Increase Over Current Rates |
||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue from Sales to Ultimate Retail Customers
|
||||||||||||||||||||
2007 Test Year Adjusted |
$ | 2,637,447 | $ | 2,637,447 | $ | 2,748,697 | $ | 2,637,447 | $ | 2,637,447 | ||||||||||
Percentage Increase — Net of PSA |
10.55 | % | 6.31 | % | -0.49 | % | 8.20 | % | 7.87 | % | ||||||||||
Percentage Increase — Total |
16.99 | % | 11.62 | % | 5.70 | % | 13.14 | % | 13.07 | % | ||||||||||
Revenue from Sales to Ultimate Retail Customers |
||||||||||||||||||||
2010 Base Rate Revenue per APS |
$ | 2,654,236 | $ | 2,654,236 | $ | 2,654,236 | $ | 2,654,236 | $ | 2,654,236 | ||||||||||
Percentage Increase — Net of PSA |
10.48 | % | 6.27 | % | -0.51 | % | 8.14 | % | 7.82 | % | ||||||||||
Percentage Increase — Total |
16.89 | % | 11.55 | % | 5.90 | % | 13.06 | % | 12.99 | % |
3.9 In addition to the base rate increase provided herein, various of the Agreement’s provisions
relating to fuel and purchased power costs, renewable energy, and energy efficiency may have the
impact of increasing or decreasing the amounts collected from customers under the Company’s already
established adjustment mechanisms (specifically, the Demand Side Management Adjustor Clause
(“DSMAC”), the Renewable Energy Surcharge (“RES”), and Power Supply Adjustor (“PSA”). The
presently estimated impact of this Agreement on the amount to be collected from the DSMAC and RES
in 2010 is approximately an additional $15 million and $2 million respectively. Although the
Signatories agree that the amounts collected under the DSMAC and RES will likely increase after
2010, there is not consensus as to the level of such increase.
3.10 In addition, the Signatories acknowledge that certain provisions of the Agreement do not have
a rate impact in the present case, but they will have an impact in future APS rate cases.
Specifically, the rate impacts shown
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above do not include the increased cost to customers in a future APS rate case resulting from the
treatments specified in this Agreement for recording Schedule 3 receipts as revenue (as opposed to
Contributions-in-Aid-of Construction (“CIAC”)), for limited pension and other post-retirement
benefits (“OPEB”) deferrals, and for an anticipated Palo Verde depreciation rate change. Nor do
the rate impacts shown above reflect the Agreement’s requirement that APS reduce future costs by
$30 million annually (or $150 million over the next five years), which will reduce future revenue
requirements.
3.11 The Term Sheet, filed with the Commission on May 4, 2009, noted that the Signatories were
looking at transitioning the $10 million of DSM costs currently recovered in base rates into the
DSMAC so that all DSM costs would be recovered through a single source. In this Settlement, the
Signatories agree that it is appropriate to retain the $10 million in base rates and address this
issue in APS’ next general rate case. At that time, parties and the Commission can analyze whether
it is appropriate to move all DSM costs to the DSMAC, whether to retain some or all DSM costs in
base rates, and if so what portion of DSM costs should be in base rates, or whether other treatment
would be appropriate.
IV. COST OF CAPITAL.
4.1 The Signatories agree that a capital structure comprised of 46.21% debt and 53.79% common
equity shall be adopted for ratemaking purposes for this case.
4.2 The Signatories agree that a return on common equity of 11.0%, which is less than the return
on common equity requested by APS, and an embedded cost of debt of 5.77% are appropriate and shall
be adopted for ratemaking purposes for this Docket.
4.3 The Signatories agree to a fair value rate of return of 6.65% as shown on Attachment A, which
includes a fair value increment.
V. DEPRECIATION.
5.1 For ratemaking purposes, upon the effective date of a Commission order approving this
Agreement, APS’ proposed depreciation and
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amortization rates are appropriate in this case and should be adopted with the exception of the
Company’s proposed change to Account No. 370.01 (electronic meters), which should be rejected and
the current depreciation rate of 3.68% for such Account retained. The depreciation rates adopted
herein (with the exception of Account No. 370.01 (electronic meters)) are contained in the filed
direct testimony of Xx. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, submitted on June 2, 2008 in this Docket as Attachment
REW-1 and incorporated herein.
5.2 Special provision is made herein for depreciation rates associated with a Palo Verde License
Extension in Section XI of this Agreement.
VI. FUEL AND POWER SUPPLY ADJUSTMENT PROVISIONS.
6.1 The Signatories agree that the 90/10 sharing provision in the current PSA will be continued for
purposes of the resolution of this rate case.
6.2 The Signatories agree that the Base Cost of Fuel and Purchased Power is $0.037571 per kWh.
This base fuel amount shall be reflected in APS’ base rates.
6.3 Gains on SO2 Allowances over or under the normalized jurisdictional test year amount reflected
in base rates of $7.045 million shall be recovered and/or refunded through the PSA mechanism.
6.4 The PSA Plan of Administration shall be amended as necessary to reflect the terms of this
Agreement and shall be approved concurrent with the approval of this Agreement.
VII. APS EXPENSE REDUCTION COMMITMENT.
7.1 Decision No. 70667 required APS to reduce its operational expenses by $20 million for 2009.
This Agreement renews APS’ commitment to reduce its expenses on an annual basis and increases the
amount of the annual reduction to an average of $30 million per year beginning in 2010. The $30
million average annual expense reduction by APS will continue through the Plan Term. The total
expense reduction by APS for the Plan Term shall be at least $150 million.
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7.2 The $30 million annual expense reduction by APS represents an average annual reduction over the
five year period. In some years, it may exceed $30 million. However, in no year will the expense
reduction be less than $25 million.
7.3 APS shall report annually on its expense reductions in similar detail and format to APS’ March
18, 2009 filing Re: Compliance Filing of Arizona Public Service Company Regarding Cost Management
Efforts, Docket No. E-01345A-08-0172 (Interim Rate Proceeding).
7.4 As in Decision No. 70667, the Company is not required to make the expense reductions required
in this Agreement from any specific area, but shall consider making them in the areas identified by
the Commission in that Decision. See Decision No. 70667 at 42, 44. APS shall not make any expense
reductions in costs necessary to preserve safe and reliable electric service.
VIII. EQUITY INFUSIONS TO BE MADE BY APS.
8.1 APS agrees to complete equity infusions of at least $700 million during the period beginning
June 1, 2009 through December 31, 2014. The Opinion and Order approving the Agreement shall
constitute authorization to infuse $700 million into APS through December 31, 2014. This amount
includes the “up to $400 million” which was previously authorized by the Commission in Decision No.
70454, which authorization expires on December 31, 2009.
8.2 In accordance with its management responsibilities, the Company agrees to use its best efforts
to maintain investment grade financial ratios and a balanced capital structure that optimizes
benefits to ratepayers, and to work to improve its existing ratings with the financial rating
agency community.
8.3 APS will use its best efforts to improve its financial metrics and bond ratings, by completing
timely equity infusions and taking other measures to strive to achieve a capital structure with no
more than 52% debt/total capital, as calculated by the credit rating agencies, by December 31,
2012.
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8.4 APS shall prepare and submit to the Commission and Signatories within 120 days of approval of
the Agreement, a plan detailing steps it intends to take to maintain and improve its financial
ratings with the credit rating agencies.
IX. PENSION AND OPEB DEFERRALS.
9.1 APS shall be allowed to defer for future recovery, in accordance with the provisions of SFAS
No. 71, a portion of its annual Pension and OPEB costs above or below the test year level in years
2011 and 2012, subject to the following maximum amounts for such deferrals in each year:
a. | 2011: deferral cannot exceed the lower of $13.5 million or 50% of the
cost above the test year level; |
b. | 2012: deferral cannot exceed $29 million of the cost above the test
year level. |
9.2 If APS’ annual Pension and OPEB costs are below the test year level in either 2011 or 2012, the
full amount of such annual savings will be credited to the Pension/OPEB deferral account.
9.3 For purposes of this Agreement, the test year level of Pension and OPEB expense is $23.949
million on a total Company basis.
9.4 APS’ ability to record Pension and OPEB deferrals shall expire at the earlier of December 31,
2012 or the conclusion of its next general rate case.
9.5 The Signatories reserve the right to review APS’ Pension/OPEB deferrals in APS’ next rate case
for reasonableness, prudence and the appropriate amortization period, such that the deferrals can
be recognized in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 71.
X. TREATMENT OF SCHEDULE 3.
10.1 Following approval of this Agreement, APS shall be authorized to record proceeds from its line
extension policy (“Schedule 3”) as revenue during the period from January 1, 2010 through either
the earlier of December 31, 2012 or the conclusion of the Company’s next general rate
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case. Thereafter, Schedule 3 receipts will be recorded as CIAC, unless otherwise ordered by the
Commission.
10.2 The income resulting from the revenue treatment to Schedule 3 proceeds provided in Section
10.1 above is material to this Agreement. APS estimates that its Schedule 3 revenues would be $23
million in 2010, $25 million in 2011 and $49 million in 2012.
10.3 The Agreement proposes to maintain the Commission’s current policy regarding customer payments
for line extensions, subject to the modifications described in this Section X. The Signatories
acknowledge the letters filed in this Docket from several Commissioners regarding Schedule 3, and
agree that, should the Commission decide in this proceeding to modify Schedule 3, offsetting
revenue changes should also be ordered that would make any such modification(s) revenue neutral to
the provisions of this Agreement.
10.4 Nothing in this Section or the Agreement is intended to prevent any Signatory from proposing a
different treatment for Schedule 3 proceeds in APS’ next rate case, or from addressing any changes
to Schedule 3 proposed by others in this rate case.
10.5 APS’ Impact Fee proposal in this case shall be withdrawn. However, this shall not act to
limit APS’ ability to discuss impact or hook-up fees in the context of the generic docket on
hook-up fees for future consideration by the Commission.
10.6 The System Facilities Charge proposed by APS shall be withdrawn.
10.7 APS shall submit a revised Schedule 3 to reflect the following modifications before the
hearing in this case:
• | A clarified definition of Local Facilities; |
• | A Schedule of Charges; |
• | A statement that quotes provided to customers will be itemized; and, |
• | Procedures for refunding amounts to customers when additional customers
connect to the line extension. |
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Such Schedule 3 shall expressly permit customers to hire contractors for trenching, conduit, and
backfill necessary for the extension, as is currently permitted.
XI. ADJUSTMENT OF DEPRECIATION RATES FOR PALO VERDE LICENSE EXTENSION.
11.1 Upon the later date of (1) receiving Nuclear Regulatory Commission (“NRC”) approval for the
Palo Verde license extension or (2) 1/1/2012, APS is authorized to adjust depreciation rates used
for recording depreciation expense on the Palo Verde generating unit to reflect such license
extension, in accordance with the 2008 Depreciation Study results attached hereto as Attachment B.
In addition, APS shall file a request that the Commission adjust the Company’s System Benefit
Charge (“SBC”) and reduce such charge to reflect a corresponding reduction of the decommissioning
trust funding obligations collected through the SBC and related to the Palo Verde license
extension. Such request shall be filed in sufficient time to allow the Commission to make the
reduction to the SBC simultaneous with the implementation of the depreciation rate change. APS
shall also reduce the PSA amount to reflect a reduction in the independent spent fuel storage
installation costs.
11.2 APS estimates that the change in depreciation rates due to the approved license extension will
result in a reduction to APS’ depreciation expense in the approximate amount of $34 million
annually on an ACC jurisdictional basis. Once the reduced depreciation expense is recognized as an
expense reduction in the context of the reestablishment of new base rates in APS’ next base rate
case, it would begin to provide a benefit to customers.
11.3 The changes in the recorded depreciation expense resulting from the Palo Verde depreciation
rate change that would occur before the Company’s base rates are reestablished in the Company’s
next rate case are intended to represent a benefit to APS. During that period, the lower recorded
depreciation expense amounts mean that Accumulated Depreciation (a rate base offset) would be lower
and APS rate base would be higher. The benefit to the Company associated with recording the new
depreciation rates prior to their recognition in rates will be offset (in part) by the SBC and PSA
reductions discussed in 11.1 above and 11.4 following.
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11.4 APS’ approved annual level of nuclear decommissioning funding, on a jurisdictional basis, and
as reflected in the Agreement’s proposed revenue requirement is as set forth in Attachment A to
Decision No. 69663. Pursuant to the terms of this Settlement, if and when license extension is
granted, APS shall file with the Commission a revised nuclear decommissioning funding requirement
and a commensurate downward adjustment to the decommissioning component of the Company’s SBC and a
reduction to the PSA as discussed above to be effective upon the later of the grant of license
extension or January 1, 2012. The revenue requirement, income, expenses, fair value rate base and
fair value rate of return utilized by the Signatories fully took into consideration the provisions
of this Section 11.
11.5 APS will provide a depreciation rate study in its next rate case that includes a review of all
of APS’ depreciation rates, including but not limited to the impact of the Palo Verde license
extension.
XII. LIMIT ON RECOVERY OF ANNUAL CASH INCENTIVE COMPENSATION FOR APS EXECUTIVES.
12.1 The Signatories contemplate that the Commission will continue to review and evaluate costs
associated with Executive compensation as it has in the past. The Signatories, including APS,
recognize that the Commission will continue to review such costs to determine to what extent such
costs should be borne by the Company’s customers. The Signatories also recognize the need for the
Company to attract qualified persons and to reward exemplary work performance.
12.2 The Signatories agree that Annual Cash Incentive Compensation for APS Executives paid for
2010, 2011 and 2012 shall not exceed the test year level unless the Company:
a. | has met all the components of the Performance Measurements described
in Section 13(a) below for that particular year, to the extent such Performance
Measurements apply to the year in question; |
b. | receives a Hardship Waiver from the Commission for failure to meet
one or more of the Performance Measures; or |
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c. | issues Annual Cash Incentive Compensation in excess of the test
year levels that are absorbed by the shareholders and not recovered from
ratepayers. |
12.3 For the purposes of this Settlement, “Executive” is defined as any APS employee with a job
title of Vice President, its equivalent or higher, or a Pinnacle West employee with a job title of
Vice President, its equivalent or higher, that devotes a substantial portion of his or her time to
APS matters. For purposes of this Agreement, “substantial portion” shall mean an executive who
devotes 25% or more of his or her time to APS matters.
XIII. PERIODIC EVALUATION.
A. Performance Measurements.
13.1 The Signatories agree that the Company should exert its best efforts on an ongoing basis to
maximize opportunities for financial soundness provided by virtue of this Agreement and that such
efforts by the Company should be subject to periodic evaluation through the use of Performance
Measurements and Reporting Requirements.
13.2 APS will be subject to periodic evaluation based upon the following measures, which include
both Performance Measurements and Reporting Requirements. The Commission shall decide the
appropriateness of any waivers of limits on Annual Cash Incentive Compensation recoverability for
APS Executives based upon failure to meet these Performance Measurements and Reporting
Requirements. APS shall meet the following Performance Measurements:
a. | APS shall initiate and implement the schools renewable program in
accordance with the terms set forth in Section XV. For purposes of specific
performance goals, the program shall result in 50,000 MWhs of annual energy
generation or savings at Arizona schools within 36 months of program approval; |
b. | The Company shall comply with the terms of its Commission — approved
Implementation Plan designed to meet the energy efficiency goals set forth in
Section XIV; |
c. | APS shall comply with the terms of its Commission-approved
Implementation Plan designed to meet the goals set forth in the
|
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Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff (“REST”) Rules by deriving a portion of the
energy it sells from renewable technologies; |
d. | APS shall comply with the renewable energy goals in accordance with
the terms set forth in Section XV of this Agreement; |
e. | APS shall reduce its expenses by at least $30 million per year, on
average, in accordance with the terms set forth in Section VII of this Agreement; |
f. | The Company will strive to achieve a Capital Structure with no more
than 52% total debt, as calculated by the credit rating agencies, by December 31,
2012; |
g. | APS shall submit a plan to the Commission to maintain investment
grade financial ratios and to improve its financial metrics; |
h. | APS shall complete equity infusions of $700 million in accordance
with the terms set forth in Section VIII; |
i. | The Company shall comply with the Annual Reporting of Financial and
Customer Service Criteria as set forth in XIII.B, following; and, |
j. | APS shall cooperate with the Commission Staff in its conduct of the
Benchmarking Study comparing APS with other similarly situated utilities. |
13.3 If APS believes that its failure to comply with any measure listed in the Performance Measures
set forth in Section XIII.A above is due to factors it believes are beyond its control or would
result in an inequitable hardship, the Company may request from the Commission a waiver of such
specific measure(s) for that particular year. APS’ ability to request a waiver does not guarantee
that such a request will be granted by the Commission, or that the Signatories to this Agreement
will not oppose such a waiver.
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B. Reporting Requirements.
13.4. The Signatories agree that APS shall file a report with the Commission that contains the
information set forth in this Section, and will provide such report to the other Signatories to
this Agreement. Except where otherwise provided herein, the Company shall provide such report
annually each April 30th during the Plan Term, with information relevant to the
preceding year, and to include changes from a 2007 base year. Reported information shall include a
detailed list of customer service, reliability, safety and financial items including but not
limited to:
a. Customer Service, Reliability and Safety Reporting.
i. | The frequency and duration of unplanned outages
(generation, transmission and distribution) as measured by the
industry-used System Average Interruption Duration Index, System Average
Interruption Frequency Index, and Customer Average Interruption Duration
Index; |
ii. | Information regarding major unplanned equipment
outages or downtime for maintenance, repair and/or replacement, and
distribution system outages consistent with the 1000 Hour Report
currently filed with the Commission; |
iii. | Number of calls from customers and level of
customer satisfaction (based upon feedback surveys) regarding the way
calls were handled; |
iv. | Information regarding the levels of enrollment in
DSM, Demand Response, Low-Income and RES programs; |
v. | Information regarding the frequency and severity
of employee injuries using All Incident Injury Rate (“AIIR”); and, |
vi. | Information addressing changes to APS’ employee
counts, including changes to the counts of the employees represented by
the two labor unions with whom APS has entered into collective
bargaining agreements. |
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b. Financial Reporting.
i. | Information regarding the Company’s earned return
on equity (“XXX”) for the preceding 12 months, including supporting
calculation detail and identification of the major factors impacting
that XXX. Such reports shall be filed within 60 days following the end
of each quarter throughout the Plan Term; |
ii. | Information regarding the Company’s Funds from
Operations (“FFO”) to Debt ratio, FFO/Interest ratio, and Total
Debt/Capital ratio for the preceding 12 months, including supporting
calculation detail and identification of the major factors impacting
those metrics. Such reports shall be filed within 60 days following the
end of each quarter throughout the Plan Term; |
iii. | Information regarding Pinnacle West Capital
Corporation’s (“PNW’) stock price, net book value and the relationship
of PNW’s stock price to net book value. Such reports shall be filed
within 60 days following the end of each quarter throughout the Plan
Term; |
iv. | Information regarding the status of all shelf
registrations for debt and equity issuance(s) of APS and PNW; |
v. | Information regarding any long-term debt
issuances and their impact on APS’ capital structure and FFO/Debt ratio
within 60 days of such issuance; |
vi. | Information regarding any equity infusions made
in accordance with the terms set forth in Section VIII herein, their
impact upon APS’ capital structure, the price per share at the time of
issuance, any dilution to existing share, and the estimated impact upon
APS’ FFO/Debt ratio. Such reports shall be filed within 60 days of
such infusion; |
vii. | Information regarding the criteria used to
measure achieved performance under its Annual Cash Incentive
Compensation Plan. The reporting of this information to the Commission
will coincide with when it has been
|
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made publicly available and reviewed and approved by the Board of
Directors for the purpose of approving Annual Cash Incentive Compensation
awards; |
viii. | Information pertaining to Management Expenses;
|
ix. | Information pertaining to the Company’s Dividend
Payout Ratio and changes from earlier years; |
x. | Information pertaining to Operation and
Maintenance Expense and any significant changes from year to year; |
xi. | Information pertaining to Customer and Sales
Expense per Customer and any significant changes from year to year; and, |
xii. | Information regarding the Company’s level of
major capital expenditures, and its consideration of available
alternatives in connection with such capital expenditures for generation
facilities. |
13.5 APS shall annually file a report with the Commission documenting its performance for the
preceding year in relation to the Performance Measures set forth in the “Performance Measures” and
“Reporting Requirements” Sections set forth above. Such annual report shall be filed no later than
April 30th in the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, and shall be used for determining whether the
Company has met the Performance Measures for the preceding year.
C. Benchmarking Study of APS Operations and Cost Performance.
13.6 The Signatories agree that by March 31, 2010, Staff shall select a benchmarking firm to
conduct a benchmarking analysis of APS’ operational and cost performance relative to a peer group
of at least 30 other investor-owned electric-only utility operating companies, to the extent
available and practicable. To the extent practicable, the peer group shall reflect business
characteristics comparable to that of APS, including, but not limited to, total revenue, number of
customers, nuclear generation, ownership of generation, customer density, customer growth and fuel
and resource mix.
13.7 Such analysis shall focus on the following areas at a minimum:
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a) Operational Performance
• | Safety |
• | All Safety Incident Injury Rate (AIIR) |
• | Customer Satisfaction |
• | Delivery Reliability |
• | System Average Interruption
Frequency Index (XXXXX) |
• | Momentary Average Interruption
Frequency Index (XXXXX) |
• | System Average Interruption
Duration Index (SAIDI) |
• | Customer Average Interruption
Duration Index (CAIDI) |
• | Base Load Power Plant Performance |
• | Sustainability Performance |
b) Cost Performance
• | Non-Fuel Operating Expense per Customer |
• | Distribution Additions to Plant per New Customer |
• | Capital Expenditures |
• | Hedging |
• | Management Expense |
c) Financial Health of Company
• | Debt/Equity Ratio |
• | Dividend Payout Ratio |
• | Return on Average Assets (ROAA) |
• | Return on Average Equity (ROAE) |
• | FFO/Debt |
• | Debt Ratings |
• | Earnings per Share (Pinnacle West) |
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• | Stock Performance (Pinnacle West) |
13.8 The Company shall incur all costs paid to the benchmarking firm related to the study, which
costs will be capped at $500,000. No such costs associated with the study shall be recoverable in
rates.
13.9 The Benchmark Study Report shall be filed with the Commission no later than December 31, 2010.
Such benchmark report shall include the benchmarking firm’s conclusions regarding the Company’s
performance and any significant differences in performance on the benchmarks selected between APS
and other utilities analyzed and the likely reasons for those differences. The report shall also
identify areas where performance appears to be significantly above or below the norm.
XIV. DEMAND SIDE MANAGEMENT.
14.1 Energy Efficiency goals shall be established, defined as annual energy savings of 1.0% in
2010, 1.25% in 2011, and 1.5% in 2012, expressed as a percent of total energy resources needed to
meet retail load. Cumulative annualized energy savings from the programs in 2010-2012 would be
approximately 3.75% (1.00% + 1.25% + 1.50%) of total energy resources needed to meet retail load in
2012. If higher goals are adopted by the Commission for 2010, 2011 or 2012 in another docket, then
those higher goals will supersede the goals listed above, as will any higher performance
incentives.
14.2 The existing performance incentive for energy efficiency programs shall be modified to be a
tiered performance incentive as a % of net benefits, capped at a tiered % of program costs.
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Performance | ||||||||
Achievement Relative | Performance | Incentive Capped | ||||||
to the Energy | Incentive as % of | at % of Program | ||||||
Efficiency Goals | Net Benefits | Costs | ||||||
Less than 85% |
0 | % | 0 | % | ||||
85% to 95% |
6 | % | 12 | % | ||||
96% to 105% |
7 | % | 14 | % | ||||
106% to 115% |
8 | % | 16 | % | ||||
116% to 125% |
9 | % | 18 | % | ||||
Above 125% |
10 | % | 20 | % |
14.3 Self Direction” of DSM charges will be allowed for large commercial or large industrial
customers who use more than 40 million kWh per calendar year, based on an aggregation of all of the
customer’s accounts. After a customer notifies APS of its intent to Self-Direct, 85% of the
customer’s DSM contribution will be reserved for tracking purposes for the customer’s future energy
efficiency project(s). The remaining 15% will be retained to cover the self direction program
administration, management and verification, measurement and evaluation, and low-income program
costs.
14.4 Self Direction funds will be paid once a year in December beginning in the year that the DSM
project is completed and verified by the APS Solutions for Business team. If project costs exceed
the credited amount in one year, then funding will continue to be paid in December of each year
until the project is 100% funded or on the tenth year of funding, which ever comes sooner. If the
energy efficiency project is not completed within two years of the Self Direction election date,
then the Self Direction funds from the first calendar year from the Self Direction election will
not be available to the Customer and will revert to the program account.
14.5 Self Direction provisions defining the specific parameters for Self Direction are summarized
in Attachment C.
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14.6 The Signatories agree that it is reasonable for APS’ DSMAC to be modified to achieve more
current recovery of program costs, similar to the
DSMAC approved for Tucson Electric Power Company (“TEP”) in Decision No. 70628. New DSMAC rates
for the upcoming year will be set by the Commission as part of its consideration of the
Implementation Plan. The Implementation Plan shall also include a xxxx impact analysis. If
approved, such rates would become effective with the first billing cycle in March. This will
supersede existing DSMAC reset filing dates. The total amount to be recovered by the DSMAC shall
be calculated by projecting DSM costs for the next year, adjusted by the previous year’s over- or
under-collection, and adding revenue to be recovered from the DSMAC performance incentive. The DSM
Plan of Administration shall be amended as necessary to reflect the terms of this Agreement and
shall be approved concurrent with this Agreement.
14.7 APS shall apply interest whenever an over-collected balance results in a refund to customers.
The interest rate shall be based on the one-year Nominal Treasury Constant maturities rate
contained in the Federal Reserve Statistical Release H-15 or its successor publication. The
interest rate should be adjusted annually on the first business day of the calendar year. There
will be no interest applied to an under-recovered balance.
14.8 APS shall not request recovery of unrecovered fixed costs (“UFC”) as a component of DSM
program costs until its next general rate case. APS agrees to an explicit exclusion of UFC from
the definition of program costs. This provision will not preclude APS from seeking such recovery
in other proceedings.
14.9 APS shall file for the Commission’s approval an annual Energy Efficiency Implementation Plan
for 2010, 2011, and 2012, with new and/or expanded programs or program elements necessary to
achieve the energy efficiency goals. Each Implementation Plan shall include estimated energy
savings by program and a range of estimated program costs by program necessary to meet the goal.
Staff will review each Plan and provide its recommendations to the Commission. For any new
programs, the Company and Staff will perform the cost effectiveness tests considering criteria and
parameters reviewed by the DSM Collaborative. However, modifications to program elements of
existing Commission-approved programs or adjustments to spending levels by program from year to
year may not
29
require an updated cost effectiveness test. The Company will file
implementation plans on June 1, 2010 and June 1, 2011 for the 2011 and 2012 goals respectively.
14.10 By July 15, 2009, APS shall file for the Commission’s approval in this Docket the 2010 Energy
Efficiency Implementation Plan with new and/or expanded programs or program elements necessary to
achieve the 2010 energy efficiency goal, including the enhancements and program elements set forth
below. Staff shall review the Plan and provide its recommendations to the Commission in sufficient
time so that the Commission may consider the matter at its regular November Open Meeting. In an
effort to achieve timely approval of the Plan, the Signatories urge the Commission to take action
on the Implementation Plan on or before the date it takes action on the Agreement. Such
Implementation Plan will make clear that its obligations therein are contingent upon Commission
approval of the Agreement.
14.11 The Signatories agree that the 2010 Implementation Plan shall include at a minimum:
a. | A customer repayment/financing program element for schools,
municipalities and small businesses fully integrated in the non-residential
programs. This customer repayment element must be fully integrated from the
perspective of the customer and not a separate offering. APS may use an actual
on-the-xxxx or a parallel xxxx approach to implement this provision. Financing
costs (including any default or guarantee cost) will be fully recoverable as a
program cost. Any financing provided directly by APS will be at its weighted
average cost of capital (if APS buys down the financing rate for the end-using
customer, the differential between APS’ cost of capital and such reduced rate will
also be recovered as a program cost); |
b. | A goal for APS to serve, meaning the installation of measures,
through its existing DSM programs or enhanced program elements, at least 100
schools by December 31, 2010; |
c. | A review of the APS low income weatherization program for possible
enhancement; |
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d. | APS will have a Residential Existing Homes Program, which will
include both a new Home Performance element and the existing HVAC element. The
goal of the Home Performance element will be to serve at least 1,000 existing
homes by December 31, 2010. These customers will be served by conducting an
on-site energy assessment, direct installation of some energy saving measures
(e.g. lighting, air sealing), and delivering information and incentive offers on a
comprehensive set of recommended measures for consideration by the customer. The
customized list of recommended measures shall include items such as insulation,
duct repair and HVAC improvements to save energy, consistent with the national
EPA/DOE Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program; |
e. | A non-residential high performance new construction program element
with a second tier of performance and a higher financial incentive; and |
f. | A residential high performance new home program element with a second
tier of performance and a higher financial incentive, which APS will file with the
Commission on or before June 30, 2009 as part of its zero-net energy home filing.
In an effort to achieve timely approval of the program element, the Signatories
urge the Commission to take action on the program element on or before the date it
takes action on the Agreement. |
XV. RENEWABLE ENERGY.
15.1 APS shall make its best efforts to acquire new renewable energy resources with annual
generation or savings of 1,700,000 MWh to be in-service by December 31, 2015, consistent with APS’
Resource Plan report, dated January 29, 2009, Appendix 1, Table 1 (Selected Resource Plan: Loads
and Resources Table), Docket No. E-01345A-09-0037. These new resources shall be in addition to
existing resources or commitments as of the end of 2008, as identified in APS’ 2008 RES Compliance
Report dated April 1, 2009, Docket No. E-01345A-07-0468. These new renewable acquisitions, in
combination with existing renewable commitments, are
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currently estimated to be approximately 10% of retail sales by the end of 2015. Renewable
resources are those defined in A.A.C. R14-2-1802. APS shall obtain a mix of new distributed and
non-distributed renewable energy resources. APS shall report to the Commission on its plans for
and progress towards acquiring the new resources, including any delays or shortfalls, in its
Renewable Energy Standard Implementation Plans and RES Compliance Reports, and in future resource
planning filings.
15.2 APS shall issue a new request for proposals for in-state wind generation within 90 days of
Commission approval of the Agreement. After evaluating potential projects, APS will file a request
for Commission approval of one or more such projects, within 180 days of issuance of the RFP.
15.3 APS shall, within 120 days of the Commission’s Order approving the Agreement, file in this
Docket for Commission consideration a plan for implementing a utility scale photovoltaic generation
project, which shall have a construction initiation date not later than 18 months from the date of
filing. This requirement is in addition to the Concentrated Solar Power (“CSP”) projects already
under consideration or previously approved by the Commission. In selecting a project for this
filing, APS shall initiate a competitive procurement that complies with its certified Renewable
Energy Competitive Procurement Procedure dated April 10, 2007. Any Signatory may file comments in
response to APS’ filing with the Commission. The Commission shall not be obligated to act on APS’
filing. Any Commission inaction shall not indicate Commission approval of APS’ proposal.
15.4 Following the Biennial Transmission Assessment report (as required by Decision No. 70635)
prioritizing transmission projects that will facilitate interconnection of renewable resources to
Arizona’s transmission system, APS shall commence permitting, design, engineering, right of way
acquisition, regulatory authorization (which may include a request to FERC for applicable
transmission incentives and other cost recovery provisions), and line siting for one or more new
transmission lines or upgrades designed to facilitate delivery of solar and other renewable
resources to the APS system. APS shall expeditiously pursue permitting and authorizations and
shall construct such transmission line(s) or upgrade(s) after satisfactory permitting and
authorizations are obtained.
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15.5 APS shall file within 120 days of the Commission’s Order approving the Settlement Agreement a
new program for on-site solar energy including photovoltaics, solar water heating and daylighting,
at grades K through 12 public (including charter) schools in its service territory that eliminates
up-front customer costs. The program goal shall be installation of projects resulting in 50,000
MWh of annual energy generation or savings within 36 months of program approval by the Commission.
APS shall collaborate with the School Facilities Board in determining the priority of projects
giving consideration to the assessed valuation of the school district, participation in the
National School Lunch Program, geographic diversity and need for the project. The program proposal
shall describe options considered by APS for acquiring the necessary energy. In designing its
program, APS shall consider among its options, a request for proposals by developers to implement
and install solar energy systems on multiple schools such that the schools pay no up-front costs.
APS’ proposal shall include its estimate of APS’ costs associated with the program, APS’ proposed
method for cost recovery, and APS’ proposal for counting the energy produced or saved by the school
solar energy systems toward APS’ REST requirements. APS shall file its program proposal under a
new docket number and shall provide an opportunity for interested stakeholders, including school
representatives and solar industry representatives, to provide input prior to preparing its
proposal. School programs executed with stimulus funding leveraging REST funds would qualify
toward the program goal.
15.6 APS shall file within 120 days of the Commission’s Order approving the Settlement Agreement a
new program for governmental institutions for distributed solar energy, including photovoltaics,
solar water heating and daylighting, to substantially reduce or eliminate up-front customer cost.
APS shall file its program proposal under a new docket number and shall provide an opportunity for
interested stakeholders to provide input on its proposal. This program may be proposed
concurrently with the schools program described in Paragraph 15.6
15.7 All reasonable and prudent expenses incurred by APS pursuant to this Section of the Agreement
shall be recoverable through the Power Supply Adjustor, a renewable energy adjustment mechanism, or
the Transmission Cost Adjustor, as appropriate. To encourage least cost renewable resources to
benefit customers, these expenses would also include the capital carrying costs of any capital
investments by APS in renewable energy projects
33
(depreciation expenses at rates established by the Commission, property taxes, and return on both
debt and equity at the pre-tax weighted average cost of capital). In consideration of this
Paragraph 15.7, APS shall not seek to recover Construction-Work-In-Progress (“CWIP”) related to any
of the renewable projects required by this Section 15.
15.8 APS agrees to abide by the commitments set forth in paragraphs 15.1 through 15.7 of this
Section regardless of the outcome of any judicial challenge to the current REST rules. Through this
Agreement, APS reiterates and renews its support of the current REST rules.
XVI. LOW INCOME PROGRAMS.
16.1 The increase in base rate revenue will not apply to the existing low income schedules (E-3 and
E-4). As a result, all rate schedules except for the low income schedules will receive an equal
percentage of base rate increase. This holds low income customers harmless from the rate increase
and applies to both existing customers and those to be enrolled in the low income rate.
16.2 Eligibility for low-income schedule shall be set at 150% of the Federal Poverty Income
Guidelines.
16.3 APS shall augment its current xxxx assistance program, which was approved in Decision No.
69663, to offer identical assistance to customers whose incomes exceed 150% of the Federal Poverty
Income Guidelines but are less than or equal to 200% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.
This additional program is to be funded by APS to be used by qualifying customers to assist them in
their payment of customer electric bills. The level of the funding requirement during the Plan
Term shall be established at $5 million. If any funding remains at the end of the Plan Term, such
funds shall be carried forward until expended.
16.4 APS will waive the collection of an additional security deposit from customers on low-income
rate schedules (E-3 and E-4) under the following circumstances: (1) the customer has had more than
two late payments in the previous 12 months, or (2) the customer has been disconnected for
non-payment.
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16.5 Treatment of qualifying low-income customers by exempting them from the DSMAC is consistent
with Decision No. 70961. The under-recovery of DSM costs attributable to the Commission’s
exemption of low-income E-3 and E-4 customers from the DSMAC increase is addressed through the
regular balancing account provisions of the DSMAC and thus will be collected from all other APS
customers.
XVII. REVENUE SPREAD.
17.1 Each retail rate schedule will receive an equal percentage total base rate increase, inclusive
of the interim rate increase, and inclusive of fuel and purchased power costs that are incorporated
into base rates.
17.2 Within E-32, the percentage increase will be differentiated such that:
a. | E-32 (401 + kW) receives an increase that is 2.5% below average for
the group; |
b. | E-32 (101-400 kW) receives the group average increase; |
c. | E-32 (21-100 kW) receives an increase that is 1% above the average
for the group; and |
d. | E-32 (0-20 kW) receives an increase that is above the average for the
group by the necessary residual amount (approximately 2.8%). |
XVIII. RATE DESIGN.
18.1 The voltage discount for E-35 customers taking service at transmission voltage will be equal
to the current discount adjusted by the overall E-35 percentage increase.
18.2 The third-party transmission charge for Rates E-34 and E-35 proposed by APS is not adopted.
18.3 The rate increase for Rates E-34, E-35 and E-32 (401+ kW) will be implemented by adopting
APS’ proposed changes in the customer charge with an equal percentage increase in the demand and
energy charges.
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XIX. INTERRUPTIBLE RATE SCHEDULES AND OTHER DEMAND REDUCTION PROGRAMS. |
19.1 Within 180 days of Commission approval of the Settlement Agreement, APS, in consultation with
Staff and interested stakeholders, will file an Interruptible Rate Rider (“IRR”) for customers with
loads over three megawatts (Rate Schedules E-34 and E-35). The IRR will provide a range of options
with respect to notice requirements, duration, and frequency, and will provide credits to
participating customers based on avoided capacity costs. The IRR may consist of two rate elements:
a short term customer commitment, (e.g. one year for customers who are willing to commit to the
interruption option for a short term), and a long term customer commitment, (e.g. for customers
willing to commit for a five year period). In addition to the IRR, APS may offer Demand Response
Programs applicable to these customers.
XX. DEMAND RESPONSE.
20.1 Broadly defined, APS’ demand response programs include time-of-use rates, super peak and
critical peak pricing rates, and other programs which influence the timing of a customer’s energy
usage.
20.2 To provide prospective customers that may participate in any demand response program with
clear and complete information about all of their demand side management options and to improve the
efficiency with which energy is used, APS shall offer and market its demand response programs
jointly with its energy efficiency programs. These marketing materials shall be submitted to Staff
for its review.
20.3 A new demand response super peak time-of-use rate for residential customers, as proposed by
APS in the direct testimony of Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, should be approved.
20.4 The proposed critical peak pricing rate CPP-GS will be implemented on a pilot basis,
specifying a minimum number of called critical days during the program. The Company will make a
good faith effort to attain participation levels of at least 200 customers in this pilot.
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20.5 A residential critical peak pricing rate pilot program will be implemented on a pilot
basis, and APS shall make good faith efforts to attain participation levels of at least 300
residential customers in such pilot. This program will be designed to provide participating
customers with strong, clear price signals that are narrowly focused on a limited number of
specific hours of each year. APS will provide participating customers with notice of each
critical peak period, via email, text message or telephone message, at least 6 hours in advance of
the commencement of each critical peak period.
20.6 APS shall prepare a study on the impact of its super peak and critical peak pricing programs
on:
a. | The mix of power generation resources, including the use of
coal-fired power resources; |
b. | Air emissions including carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen
oxides, particulate matter, and mercury; and |
c. | Energy use by program participants. |
The study shall also identify methods to better integrate demand response programs and energy
efficiency programs and shall analyze the benefits of demand response programs. Benefits of the
demand response program include avoided or deferred generating capacity costs and fuel and other
variable cost savings. The study shall examine actual experience with APS’ demand response
programs and shall be filed in Docket Control within two years of the Commission’s decision in this
Docket.
XXI. OTHER RATE SCHEDULE MATTERS.
21.1 The Signatories agree that APS shall unfreeze the existing Rate Schedule E-20 (House of
Worship) tariff for a period of 12 months to allow for additional customer participation.
21.2 Within 90 days of approval of the Settlement Agreement, APS will file a new optional TOU rate
applicable to K-12 schools designed to provide daily and seasonal price signals to encourage load
reductions during peak periods.
37
XXII. FORCE MAJEURE PROVISION.
22.1 Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, APS shall not be prevented from
requesting a change to its base rates in the event of conditions or circumstances that constitute
an emergency. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “emergency” is limited to an
extraordinary event that is beyond APS’ control and that, in the Commission’s judgment, requires
base rate relief in order to protect the public interest. This provision is not intended to
preclude APS from seeking rate relief pursuant to this Section in the event of the imposition of a
federal carbon tax or related federal “cap and trade” system. This provision is not intended to
preclude any party including any Signatory to this Agreement from opposing an application for rate
relief filed by APS pursuant to this paragraph.
XXIII. COMMISSION EVALUATION OF PROPOSED SETTLEMENT.
23.1 The Signatories agree that all currently filed testimony and exhibits shall be offered into
the Commission’s record as evidence.
23.2 The Signatories recognize that Staff does not have the power to bind the Commission. For
purposes of proposing a settlement agreement, Staff acts in the same manner as any party to a
Commission proceeding.
23.3 This Agreement shall serve as a procedural device by which the Signatories will submit their
proposed settlement of APS’ pending rate case, Docket No. E-01345A-08-0172, to the Commission.
23.4 The Signatories recognize that the Commission will independently consider and evaluate the
terms of this Agreement. If the Commission issues an order adopting all material terms of this
Agreement, such action shall constitute Commission approval of the Agreement. Thereafter, the
Signatories shall abide by the terms as approved by the Commission.
23.5 If the Commission fails to issue an order adopting all material terms of this Agreement, any
or all of the Signatories may withdraw from this Agreement, and such Signatory or Signatories may
pursue without prejudice their respective remedies at law. For the purposes of this Agreement,
whether a term is material shall be left to the discretion of the Signatory
38
choosing to withdraw from the Agreement. If a Signatory withdraws from the Agreement pursuant to
this paragraph and files an application for rehearing, the other Signatories, except for Staff,
shall support the application for rehearing by filing a document to that effect with the Commission
that supports approval of the Agreement in its entirety. Staff shall not be obligated to file any
document or take any position regarding the withdrawing Signatory’s application for rehearing.
23.6 Within ten days after the Commission issues an order in this matter, if not sooner, APS shall
file compliance schedules for Staff review. Subject to Staff review, such compliance schedules
will become effective January 1, 2010.
XXIV. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
24.1 This Agreement represents the Signatories’ mutual desire to compromise and settle disputed
issues in a manner consistent with the public interest. The terms and provisions of this Agreement
apply solely to and are binding only in the context of the purposes and results of this Agreement.
24.2 This case has attracted a large number of participants with widely diverse interests. To
achieve consensus for settlement, many participants are accepting positions that, in any other
circumstances, they would be unwilling to accept. They are doing so because this Agreement, as a
whole, with its various provisions for settling the issues presented by this case, is consistent
with their long-term interests and with the broad public interest. The acceptance by any Signatory
of a specific element of this Agreement shall not be considered as precedent for acceptance of that
element in any other context.
24.3 Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as an admission by any Signatory as to the
reasonableness or unreasonableness or lawfulness or unlawfulness of any position previously taken
by any other Signatory in this proceeding.
24.4 No Signatory is bound by any position asserted in negotiations, except as expressly stated in
this Agreement. No Signatory shall offer evidence of conduct or statements made in the course of
negotiating this Agreement before this Commission, any other regulatory agency, or any court.
39
24.5 Neither this Agreement or any of the positions taken in this Agreement by any of the
Signatories may be referred to, cited, or relied upon as precedent in any proceeding before the
Commission, any other regulatory agency, or any court for any purpose except in furtherance of
securing the approval and enforcement of this Agreement.
24.6 To the extent any provision of this Agreement is inconsistent with any existing Commission
order, rule, or regulation, this Agreement shall control. Nothing contained in this Agreement is
intended to interfere with the Commission’s authority to exercise any regulatory authority by the
issuance of orders, rules or regulations.
24.7 Each of the terms of this Agreement is in consideration of all other terms of this Agreement.
Accordingly, the terms are not severable.
24.8 The Signatories shall make reasonable and good faith efforts necessary to obtain a Commission
order approving this Agreement. The Signatories shall support and defend this Agreement before the
Commission. Subject to paragraph 23.5, if the Commission adopts an order approving all material
terms of the Agreement, the Signatories will support and defend the Commission’s order before any
court or regulatory agency in which it may be at issue.
24.9 This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by each Signatory on separate
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original and all of
which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement may also be
executed electronically or by facsimile.
40
Attachments A-C Omitted
(Available on Arizona Corporation Commission Website)
ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | ||||
Director, Utilities Division |
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx |
RESIDENTIAL UTILITY CONSUMER OFFICE |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq. | ||||
Residential Utility Consumer Office Attorneys for Residential Utility Consumer Office |
ARIZONA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx |
ARIZONA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx |
SOUTHWEST ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECT |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx |
WESTERN RESOURCE ADVOCATES |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx |
FREEPORT-MCMORAN COPPER & GOLD INC. |
||||
By: | /s/ X. Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | |||
X. Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | ||||
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, P.C. Attorneys for Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. |
ARIZONANS FOR ELECTRIC CHOICE AND COMPETITION |
||||
By: | /s/ X. Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | |||
X. Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | ||||
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, P.C. Attorneys for Arizonans for Electric Choice and Competition |
THE KROGER CO. |
||||
By: | Xxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
Xxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq. | ||||
Xxxxx, Xxxxx & Xxxxx Attorneys for The Kroger Co. |
Signature unavailable on filing date; will be filed on Monday, June 15, 2009.
BOWIE POWER STATION, L.L.C. |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Xx. | |||
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Xx. |
MESQUITE POWER L.L.C. |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Xx. | |||
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Xx. |
SOUTHWESTERN POWER GROUP II, L.L.C. |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Xx. | |||
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Xx. |
INTERWEST ENERGY ALLIANCE |
||||
By: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx | |||
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx, Esq. | ||||
Law Office of Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx Attorneys for Interwest Energy Alliance |
Signature unavailable on filing date; will be filed on Monday, June 15, 2009.
IBEW LOCALS 387, 640 AND 769 |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq. | |||
for Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq. | ||||
Xxxxx & Enoch, P.C. Attorneys for IBEW Locals 387, 640 and 769 |
AzAg Group |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxx X. Xxxxx, Esq. | |||
Xxx X. Xxxxx, Esq. | ||||
Moyes Sellers & Xxxx, Ltd. Attorneys for AzAg Group |
ARIZONA INVESTMENT COUNCIL |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq. | |||
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq. | ||||
Xxxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, P.A. Attorneys for Arizona Investment Council |
FEDERAL EXECUTIVE AGENCIES |
||||
By: | Xxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq. | ||||
Air Force Utility Litigation & Negotiation Team Attorneys for Federal Executive Agencies |
Signature unavailable on filing date; will be filed on Monday, June 15, 2009.
XXXXXXX XXXXX |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxx | |||
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx |
TOWN OF WICKENBURG |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |||
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq. | ||||
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq. Curtis, Goodwin, Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx & Xxxxxx, P.L.C. Attorneys for Town of Wickenburg |