20240418Notice_of_Application_Order_No_36154.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
April 18,2024
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF AVISTA'S ANNUAL ) CASE NO. AVU-E-24-05
RATE ADJUSTMENT FILING FOR )
ELECTRIC LINE EXTENSION SCHEDULE ) NOTICE OF APPLICATION
51 )
NOTICE OF MODIFIED
PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION
DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 36154
On March 29, 2024, Avista Corporation dba Avista Utilities ("Company") applied for
Commission approval of an update in costs and administrative changes to the Company's Electric
Line Extension Schedule 51 ("Application"). The Company requested a May 15, 2024, effective
date and that its Filing be processed by Modified Procedure.
The Commission now issues this Notice of Application, Notice of Intervention Deadline,
and sets dates for public comments and the Company's reply.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that Schedule 51 incorporates average costing for
electrical facilities commonly used to extend service. Schedule 51 sets forth "Basic and
Exceptional Costs"that have a fixed and variable component, with the variable component stated
on a cost-per-foot basis. These Basic and Exceptional Costs apply to facilities like transformers
and conduit and are based on recent average costs. The Company represents average costing works
well and does not propose to change the conceptual structure of the tariff in the Application.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that in compliance with Order No. 35757 the Company
included workpapers detailing the"hours,materials,and vehicle support for each job."Application
at 3. Actual work order estimates were also included for each job type.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company updated the allowances for new
residential, industrial, and commercial customers' services. The updated allowances are based on
an embedded cost method which seeks to ensure investments in facilities for new customers track
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 36154 1

embedded costs included in base rates. Costs that exceed the allowance must be paid by the
customer and will be booked as a contribution in aid of construction. The embedded costs are
based on cost-of-service study used for the Settlement approved in Case No. AUV-E-23-01. The
proposed changes are as follows:
Service Schedule Existin Proposed
Schedule 1 Individual Customer per $ 2,095 $ 2,475
unit
Schedule 1 Duplex per unit $ 1,675 $ 1,980
Schedule 1 Multiplex per unit $ 1,260 $ 1,490
Schedule 11/12 per kWh $ 0.16986 $ 0.19321
Schedule 21/21 per kWh $ 0.15731 $ 0.17749
Schedule 31/32 per kWh $ 0.27217 $ 0.31838
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company is not proposing to update the
Construction and Material Standards because the current standards comply with and reflect the
most recent National Electric Safety Code. The Company does propose to update the primary,
secondary, service, and transformer average cost as follows:
Present' Proposed
Overhead Primary Circuit
Fixed Cost $ 4,875 $ 5,379
Variable Cost $ 9.63 $ 10.69
Underground Primary Circuit
Fixed Costs $ 2,232 $ 2,516
Variable Costs $ 13.07 $ 13.48
Underground Secondary Circuit
Fixed Costs $ 600 $ 666
Variable Costs $ 14.38 $ 14.17
Overhead Secondary Circuit
Fixed Costs $ 1,976 $ 2,212
Overhead Service Circuit $ 4.04 $ 5.02
Underground Service Circuit $ 11.41 $ 10.46
Overhead Transformer $ 3,615 $ 4,436
Padmount Transformer $ 7,598 $ 7,470
'The Company's Application mistakenly included the term"Proposed"in this column.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 36154 2

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company indicates the primary driver of higher
costs are increased labor and transformer cost. The driver of reduced costs for some underground
work stems from a reduction in conduit costs.Overall,the Company notes demand outpaces supply
in the utility sector, driving prices upward. To highlight this the Company provided the following
illustration related to transformer costs:
December 2021 December 2022 December 2023 22-23 change
Transformer— $1,700 $4,820 $7,095 47.2%
25KVA
Transformer— $2,255 $5,660 $8,021 41.7%
50KVA
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company proposed to update its residential
development costs to reflect the most current Construction and Material Standards and average
2023 construction costs as follows:
Residential Developments Present Proposed
Total Cost per Lot $ 2,947 $ 3,358
Less: Service Cost $ 572 $ 525
Developer Responsibility $ 2,375 $ 2,833
Developer Refundable Payment $ 2,095 $ 2,475
Builder Non-Refundable Payment $ 852 $ 883
Allowance $ 2,095 $ 2,475
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company noted it will send notices to
potentially affected developers and builders the week of April 8, 2024.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application is available for public inspection
during regular business hours at the Commission's office. The Application is also available on the
Commission's website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on the "ELECTRIC" icon, select "Open
Cases," and click on the case number as shown on the front of this document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held pursuant
to the Commission's jurisdiction under Title 61 of the Idaho Code, and that all proceedings in this
matter will be conducted pursuant to the Commission's Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000
et seq.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 36154 3

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 that it will proceed under Modified
Procedure pursuant to the Commission's Rules of Procedure 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 interested in filing
written comments must do so by May 1, 2024. 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 http://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, persons must e-mail the comments to the Commission Secretary and all
parties 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
the Parties 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 APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 36154 4

For the Idaho Public Utilities For Avista Corporation:
Commission:
Commission Secretary David Meyer
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Patrick Ehrbar
P.O. Box 83720 P.O. Box 3727
Boise, ID 83720-0074 MSC-27
secreta 1411 E. Mission Ave.
rya puc.idaho.gov Spokane,WA 99220-3727
Street Address for Express Mail: david.me ergavistacorp.com
Patrick.ehrbar(&avistacorp.com
11331 W. Chinden Blvd.
Building 8, Suite 201-A
Boise, ID 83714
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company must file any reply comments by
May 8, 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 final
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.
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons desiring to intervene in this matter to
obtain parties' rights of participation must file a Petition to Intervene with the Commission
pursuant to this Commission's Rules of Procedure 72 and 73, IDAPA 31.01.01.072 and -.073.
Persons who wish to intervene as a party must file a Petition to Intervene no later than 14
days after the date of service of this Order. Such persons shall also provide the Commission
Secretary with their email address to facilitate further communications. After the intervention
deadline runs, the Commission Secretary shall issue a Notice of Parties that identifies the parties
and assigns exhibit numbers to each party.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons who would like to present their views
without parties' rights of participation and cross-examination do not have to intervene but may
present their views by submitting written comments to the Commission.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the following people are designated as the
Company's representatives in this matter:
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 36154 5

David Meyer Patrick Ehrbar
P.O. Box 3727 P.O. Box 3727
MSC-27 MSC-27
1411 E. Mission Ave. 1411 E. Mission Ave.
Spokane, WA 99220-3727 Spokane, WA 99220-3727
david.meyer(c�r�,avistacorp.com [e-mail]
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that persons desiring to intervene in this matter must file a
Petition to Intervene no later than 14 days from the service date of this Order. Once the deadline
has passed, the Commission Secretary shall prepare and issue a Notice of Parties.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Application be processed by Modified Procedure,
Rules 201-204. Persons interested in filing written comments must do so by May 1, 2024. The
Company must file any reply comments by May 8, 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.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 36154 6

DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 18th day of
April 2024.
ERI NDE SON, PRESIDENT
HN R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER
G
EDWARD LODGE, MISSIONER
ATTEST:
a - he
Commission Secretary
I:\Legal\ELECTRIC\AVU-E-24-05_Sch51\orders\AVUE2405_mc app mod_dh.docx
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 36154 7