20240821Notice_of_Application_Order_No_36298.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
August 21,2024
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF AVISTA ) CASE NO. AVU-G-24-02
CORPORATION'S APPLICATION FOR )
APPROVAL OF A CHANGE IN RATES FOR ) NOTICE OF APPLICATION
PURCHASED GAS COSTS AND )
AMORTIZATION OF GAS-RELATED ) NOTICE OF
DEFERRAL BALANCES ) MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36298
On July 31, 2024, Avista Corporation d/b/a/Avista Utilities ("Company") applied for
authority to change its rates for purchased gas costs and amortize its gas-related deferral balances.
The Company represents that, if the Application is approved as filed, its annual revenue will
decrease by approximately $32.3 million, or about 27.9%. The Company requests processing of
this matter via modified procedure with a November 1, 2024, effective date.
With this Order the Commission issues notice of the Company's Application and
establishes public comment and Company reply deadlines.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Company proposes: (1) to pass any change
in the estimated cost of natural gas for the period of November 2024 through October 2025 to
customers (Tariff Schedule 150); and (2) revise the amortization rate(s) to refund or collect the
balance of deferred gas costs (Tariff Schedule 155). The Company proposes to change its PGA
rates in this case for its customer classes as follows:
Commodity Demand Total Amortization TotalPGA
Sch Change Change Sch 150 Change Rate Change
Service No. per the per therm Change per therm per thenm
General 101 $ (0.04984) $ 0.00111 $ (0.04873) $ (0.27015) $ (0.31888)
Lg. General 111 $ (0.04984) $ 0.00111 $ (0.04873) $ (0.27015) $ (0.31888)
Lg General 112 $ (0.04984) $ 0.00111 $ (0.04873) $ - $ (0.04873)
Interruptible 131 $ (0.04984) $ - $ (0.04984) $ - $ (0.04984)
Transportation 146 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company's commodity costs are the
variable costs at which the Company must buy natural gas. The weighted average cost of gas
("WACOG") is an estimate of those costs. The Company estimates the WACOG change is a
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36298 1

decrease of $0.04984 per therm; representing a proposed WACOG of $0.23850 per therm
compared to the WACOG of$0.28834 per therm currently included in rates.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company's demand costs primarily consist
of costs to transport natural gas on interstate pipelines to the Company's local distribution system
and fixed costs associated with storage of natural gas. The Company represents that demand costs
are expected to increase for residential customers by approximately $0.00111 per therm.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company represents that the proposed
amortization rate change for Schedule 101 and Schedule 111 is a decrease in revenue of$0.27015
per therm. The Company States that the current rate applicable to Schedule 101 and Schedule 111
is $0.25281 per therm in the surcharge direction, and the proposed rate is $0.01734 per therm in
the rebate direction.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company represents that if the Application
is approved as filed,the Company's annual revenue will decrease by approximately$32.3 million,
or 27.9% effective November 1, 2024. The Company represents that residential or small
commercial customers using an average of 64 therms per month would see a decrease of$20.41
per month, or approximately 26.2%.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company represents that it will deliver
notice of the proposed changes to customers as inserts in monthly bills in the September timeframe
as well as posting copies of the notice in its district offices and distributing the notice to various
information entities.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application and Attachments are available
for public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission's office. These documents
are also available on the Commission's website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on the"NATURAL
GAS" icon, select "Open Cases," then 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
ORDER NO. 36298 2

NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined that the public
interest may not require a formal hearing in this matter, and it will review the case through written
submissions under the Commission's Rules of Modified Procedure Rules 201-204 of the Idaho
Public Utilities Commission's Rules of Procedure, 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 they support or oppose the Application.
Persons who would like a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written comments.
Persons shall have until October 16, 2024, to file written comments. 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 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.
For the Idaho PUC: For Avista Utilities:
Commission Secretary Patrick D. Ehrbar
Idaho Public Utilities Commission David J. Meyer
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36298 3

P.O. Box 83720 Avista Utilities
Boise, ID 83720-0074 1411 E. Mission Avenue
secretary_Apuc.idaho.gov Pat.ehrbar(&avistacorp.com
David.me ergavistacorp.com
Street Address for Express Mail: Dockets(ir 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
October 23, 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 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.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Company's Application be processed by Modified
Procedure, Rules 201-204. Persons interested in submitting written comments must do so by
October 16, 2024. The Company must file any reply comments by October 23, 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
ORDER NO. 36298 4

DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 2ISt day
of August 2024.
ERIC DER N. PRESIDENT
JO HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER
G
EDWARD LODGE, COMIVT SIONER
ATTEST:
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MonjAtwiosudh
Commission Secretary
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NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36298 5