A202003 NOPV

Idaho Paul K1eo Public Utilities Commission BradLlme,Governor
PO Box 83720,Boise,ID 83720-0074 ,Commissioner
Kristi Raper
ne Raper,Commissioner
Eric Anderson,Commissioner
June 7, 2019 Report#A201903
Mike Faulkenberry
Avista Corporation
1411 Mission Ave, MSC-6
P.O. Box 3727
Spokane, WA. 99220-3727
Dear Mr. Faulkenberry:
On February 26-28, 2019 representatives of the Idaho Public Utility Commission, Pipeline Safety
Division, conducted a compliance inspection of Avista's pipeline safety records for the Idaho natural gas
distribution system. During this inspection we reviewed several exposed pipe reports and discovered the
blowing gas incident that occurred on 14 March 2018 at 373418th St. Lewiston, Idaho. A subsequent
(Avista Incident Assessment)took place on 2 April 2018 which identified gaps and errors in the
emergency response.
The inspection revealed Avista is out of compliance, resulting in probable violations of the pipeline
safety regulations at Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 192.605 and 192.615 for calendar year
2018.The probable violations will be discussed below.
PROBABLE VIOLATIONS
1. 49 C.F.R. § 192.605 Procedural manual for operations, maintenance,and emergencies.
a) General. Each operator shall prepare and follow for each pipeline, a manual of written
procedures for conducting operations and maintenance activities and for emergency
response.
b) (9) Taking adequate precautions in excavated trenches to protect personnel from the
hazards of unsafe accumulations of vapor or ggs, and making available when needed at the
excavation, emergency rescue equipment, including a breathing apparatus and, a rescue
harness and line.
Avista Utilities 2018 Gas Emergency and Service Handbook
Emergency Procedures 4.0 Emergency Procedures-Blowing or Uncontrolled Escaping Natural Gas
472 West Washington Street,Boise ID 83702
Telephone:[phone] Facsimile:[phone]

General
Employees responding to natural gas emergencies shall be trained and qualified under current
Company standards, and per any applicable State or Federal regulations. Such employees shall
adhere to the following procedures in controlling emergency situations:
Evaluate any emergency scene to assess the extent of any leakage or damage, and to
determine what action is necessary to safeguard life first and then property(such as other
utilities that can cause an immediate hazard). Evaluation actions shall include the use of a
combustible gas indicator that is capable of indicating percentage gas in air readings.
2. 49 C.F.R. §192.615 Emergency Plans
(c)Each operator shall establish and maintain liaison with appropriated fire, police and other
public officials: (1)Learn the responsibility and resources of each government organization that
may respond to a gas pipeline emergency,(2)Acquaint the officials with the operator's ability in
responding to a gas pipeline emergency, (3)Identify the types of gas pipeline emergencies of
which the operator notifies the officials,and(4)Plan how the operator and officials can engage
in mutual assistance to minimize hazards to life or property.
Findin s
Avista failed to follow its procedures(Gas Emergency and Service Handbook(GESH), Sec.4
Emergency Procedures).
The above mentioned items were brought to the attention of your representatives during the onsite
inspection.We would request that you review this matter and respond in writing within 45 days
regarding the above issue including any planned corrective action.
REQUESTED ACTION
A reply to this letter, as outlined below, is required no later than 45 days from the date of this letter.
Please send all documents to our office at P.O. Box 83720-0074, Boise, Idaho 83720-0074. Be advised
that all material you submit in response to this enforcement action may be a public record, subject to
disclosure under Idaho's Public Records Law. See Idaho Code §74-101-126.
You have a right to appear before the Pipeline Safety Division in an informal conference before July 22,
2019,at the Commission's offices at 472 W. Washington St, Boise, Idaho 83702. You have the right to
present relevant documents to the Commission at that conference. The Commission will make available
to you any evidence which indicates that you may have violated the law, and you will have the
opportunity to rebut this evidence. See IDAPA 31.01.01.21-26. If you intend to request an informal
conference, please contact the Pipeline Safety Division no later than July 8, 2019.
If you wish to dispute the allegations in this notice, but do not want an informal conference,you may
send the Pipeline Safety Division a written reply to this notice. This written reply must be filed with the
Commission on or before July 22, 2019, and must be signed by a Company Official. The reply must
AVISTA RECORDS NOTICE OF PROBABLE VIOLATION—PAGE 2

include a complete statement of all relevant facts including a complete description of the corrective
action(s) taken and any and all actions to be taken to prevent future failures in these areas of concern.
If you do not respond to this notice, as specified above, by July 22, 2019,you may be subject to
statutory civil penalties and further enforcement, as allowed by law. Idaho Code §61-712A states that
"[a]ny person who violates or fails to comply with,or who procures, aids or abets any violation of title
61, Idaho Code,governing safety of pipeline facilities and the transportation of gas, or of any order,
decision, rule or regulation duly issued by the Idaho public utilities commission governing the safety of
pipeline facilities and the transportation of gas,shall be subject to a civil penalty of not to exceed two
thousand dollars($2,000)for each violation for each day that the violation persists. However,the
maximum civil penalty shall not exceed two hundred thousand dollars($200,000)for any related series
of violation."
If you have any questions concerning this notice, please contact me at [phone]. Also all written
responses should be addressed to me at the above address or you may fax your response to (208) 334-
40 ;. me
ciate your attention to this matter and your effort to promote pipeline safety.
Sine
arnn
Pipeline Safety, Program Manager
Idaho Public Utility Commission
AVISTA RECORDS NOTICE OF PROBABLE VIOLATION—PAGE 3