IV. Motion to Accelerate Procedural Schedule
On August 10, 2006, PacifiCorp filed a Motion to Accelerate Procedural Schedule (Motion) seeking a proposed decision on the First Project/Northern Portion before November 30, 2006, the date set for decision in the Scoping Memo. PacifiCorp explained that it needs to complete the First Project in its entirety by June 1, 2007 in order to prevent potential system overloads. It stated that it must begin construction in October 2006 in order to ensure completion of the First Project before next year's heavy load season.
In argument of the motion PacifiCorp made clear that it was not seeking an accelerated decision on the controversial portion of the line: "The decision that PacifiCorp is suggesting the Commission should defer, if necessary, is the selection among route options that the final MND determines are acceptable...." Motion at 12. The area where route options are at issue is in the Southern Portion, where the Homeowners live.
While the Mackintoshes (one of the Homeowners) opposed PacifiCorp's Motion, they did so only as to the Southern Portion where they pose a different route. We are not expediting that portion of the First Project, and therefore grant PacifiCorp's Motion to the extent it seeks a decision before November 30, 2006 on the First Project/Northern Portion.11
11 In all other respects, we deny PacifiCorp's Motion.
