Idaho Power Co. v. Idaho Public Utilities Commission

*746McFADDEN, Justice.

On November 9, 1978, President Carter signed the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, 16 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq., hereinafter referred to as PURPA or the Act. 16 U.S.C. § 2631(a) authorizes any electric consumer (among others) to intervene and participate as a matter of right in any rate making proceeding or other appropriate regulatory proceeding relating to rates or rate design which is conducted by a state regulatory authority. 16 U.S.C. § 2632(a)(1) establishes the electric utilities’ liability to compensate such consumer intervenors for certain fees and costs…