20250610Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO: COMMISSIONER LODGE
COMMISSIONER HAMMOND
COMMISSIONER HARDIE
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
FROM: ADAM TRIPLETT
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE: JUNE 10, 2025
SUBJECT: IN THE MATTER OF AVISTA CORPORATION'S APPLICATION FOR
THE AUTHORITY TO INCREASE ITS RATES AND CHARGES FOR
ELECTRIC AND NATURAL GAS SERVICE TO ELECTRIC AND
NATURAL GAS CUSTOMERS IN THE STATE OF IDAHO; CASE NOS.
AVU-E-25-01,AVU-G-25-01.
On January 31, 2025, Avista Corporation ("Company") applied to the Idaho Public
Utilities Commission ("Commission") requesting authorization to increase its rates for both
Electric and Natural Gas service ("Application"). The Company requests a Two-Year Rate Plan
with a Rate Year 1 effective date of September 1, 2025, and a Rate Year 2 effective date of
September 1, 2026.
On February 19, 2025, the Commission issued a Notice of Application and Notice of
Intervention Deadline. Order No. 36470. Subsequently, the Commission granted intervention to
Clearwater Paper Corporation, Idaho Forest Group LLC, and Walmart Inc. (collectively,
"Intervenors"). Order Nos. 36472, 36490, and 36518.
On April 29, 2025, the Commission issued a Notice of Scheduling, Notice of Virtual
Public Workshop, and Notice of Technical Hearing. Order No. 36586. Order No. 36586
established a June 11, 2025, Staff and Intervenor prefile testimony deadline and a July 8, 2025,
deadline for Company rebuttal testimony.
Since Order No. 36586 was issued, Commission Staff ("Staff'), Intervenors, and the
Company (the "Parties") have engaged in settlement discussions, reaching an agreement in
principle to resolve the issues in this case. The Parties are currently finalizing a proposed written
settlement, and they anticipate filing that document soon. After that occurs, Staff will, in
DECISION MEMORANDUM 1

consultation with the other parties, recommend deadlines for both testimony in support of the
Agreement and public comments.
To facilitate the proposed written settlement, Staff moved to vacate the June 11, 2025,
deadline for Staff and Intervenor prefile testimony and the July 8, 2025, rebuttal testimony
deadline. Staff notified the Parties of the substance of its motion by email on June 2, 2025, which
was filed the next day. All parties have since concurred with Staff s motion.
With the public comment deadline approaching on June 11, 2025, prompt review of
Staffs motion is necessary. Under Rule 256.03 (IDAPA 31.01.01.256.03), the Commission may
act on fewer than 14 days' notice under these circumstances. Staff therefore requests the
Commission consider the Motion at its June 10, 2025, decision meeting.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to issue an order vacating both (1) the Staff and Intervenor
prefile testimony deadline of June 11, 2025, and (2) the Company rebuttal testimony deadline of
July 8, 2025?
Adam Triplett
Deputy Attorney General
I:\Legat\ELECTRIC\AV UE2501_G2501_GRC\memos\dec4_at.doc
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2