20240430Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO: COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSIONER HAMMOND
COMMISSIONER LODGE
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
FROM: MICHAEL ELDRED
CHRIS BURDIN, DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE: APRIL 30, 2024
SUBJECT: IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF AVISTA CORPORATION,
D/B/A/ AVISTA UTILITIES, REQUESTING AUTHORITY TO
ESTABLISH TARIFF SCHEDULE 23 FOR DIRECT CURRENT FAST
CHARGING(DCFC) OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES; CASE NO.AVU-E-23-16
BACKGROUND
On November 3, 2023, Avista Corporation, doing business as Avista Utilities
("Company"), filed an application ("Application") with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission
("Commission")requesting authority to establish electric tariff Schedule 23, "Direct Current Fast
Charging ("DCFC") Rate Option," effective February 1, 2024.
On April 1, 2024, the Commission issued Order No. 36125 approving Schedule 23 with
an effective date of April 1, 2024, as a pilot program until the next general rate case or until the
Commission enters an order making this schedule permanent or modifying or terminating
Schedule 23. The Order also required the Company to submit a compliance filing updating its
Schedule 23 consistent with the Order by April 15, 2024. In addition, the Company is required
to submit a semi-annual report including details about customer growth or loss, and the total
kWhs consumed by Schedule 23 customers with the initial report due on or before August 30,
2024. Further, the Company shall notify Schedule 23 customers that rates are subject to change.
STAFF ANALYSIS
On April 2, 2024, the Company submitted a compliance filing with updated Schedule 23
tariffs. On April 5, 2024, the Company submitted a supplemental compliance filing that added
additional language to the updated Schedule 23 tariffs. These compliance filings were submitted
DECISION MEMORANDUM - 1 - APRIL 30, 2024

to comply with Commission Order No. 36125. The Company included an effective date on the
tariffs of April 1, 2024, and the following language in the supplemental compliance filing on
Original Sheet 23A:
Schedule 23 will operate as a pilot until the Company's next general rate case when
rates can be established based on cost-of-service or until the Commission otherwise
issues an order making Schedule 23 permanent or modifying or terminating the
schedule. The Company will notify all Schedule 23 customers that rates are subject to
change at any time, even prior to the next general rate case.
Staff believes the updated tariffs and additional language satisfies the Commission's Order. The
update tariffs are consistent with the proposed tariffs provided in Case No. AVU-E-23-16,
include the ordered April 1, 2024, effective date, and include additional language stating
Schedule 23 is a pilot and rates are subject to change at any time.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Commission accept the Company's compliance filing and approve
the Company's supplemental updated tariff sheets submitted on April 5, 2024, with an effective
date of April 1, 2024.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to accept the Company's compliance filing, and approve the
Company's revised tariff sheets submitted on April 5, 2024, with an effective date of April 1,
2024?
�f
Michael Eldred
I:\Uti1ity\UDMEM0S\AVU-E-23-16 Decision Memo.docx
DECISION MEMORANDUM - 2 - APRIL 30, 2024