20250617Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO: COMMISSIONER LODGE
COMMISSIONER HAMMOND
COMMISSIONER HARDIE
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
FROM: ADAM TRIPLETT
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE: JUNE 17, 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 NO.
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("Clearwater"),Idaho Forest Group LLC("IFG"),and Walmart Inc.
("Walmart"). Order Nos. 36472, 36490, and 36518.
On April 2, 2025, Staff notified the Commission that the parties intended to enter
settlement discussions with the intent to resolve the outstanding issues in the case.
On April 29, 2025, the Commission issued Order No. 36586 establishing the following
schedule:
Public Workshop May 14 & 15, 2025
Staff/Intervenor Prefile Testimony June 11, 2025
Company Rebuttal Testimony July 8, 2025
Technical Hearing July 23-24, 2025
DECISION MEMORANDUM 1

On May 22, 2025, the parties began settlement discussions. See Rules 271 through 277 of
the Commission's Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.271-.277.
On June 3, 2025, Staff moved to vacate the Staff/Intervenor prefile testimony deadline and
the Company rebuttal testimony deadline.
On June 9, 2025, the Commission issued a Notice of Customer hearing, scheduling an in-
person customer hearing in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, on June 25, 2025, and a telephonic customer
hearing on June 26, 2025. Order No. 36633.
On June, 11, 2025, the Commission issued Order No. 36633, vacating the June 11, 2025,
Staff/Intervenor prefile testimony deadline, and the July 8, 2025, Company rebuttal testimony
deadline.
SETTLEMENT AND STIPULATION
On June 9, 2025, the Company filed a Stipulation and Settlement("Settlement") signed by
Clearwater, IFG, Walmart, the Company, and Staff—all the parties to this case. See IDAPA
31.01.01.056, .272, and .274. The parties agree that the Settlement resolves the outstanding issues
in the case.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Commission issue a Notice of Proposed Settlement and amend
the schedule in this proceeding. Staff recommends the Commission establish a deadline for all
parties to prefile testimony in support of the Settlement and a customer comment deadline for
interested persons to file written comments regarding the proposed Settlement. Additionally, Staff
recommends retention of the previously scheduled customer hearings and technical hearing, but
shortening the technical hearing to a single day—commencing on July 23, 2025.
Having consulted with the parties, Staff recommends the following schedule:
Customer Hearings June 25 & 26, 2025
Testimony Supporting the Settlement July 8, 2025
Technical Hearing July 23, 2025
Customer Comment Deadline July 23, 2025
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2

COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to:
1. Issue a Notice of Proposed Settlement?
2. Amend the procedural schedule as described above,providing notice as appropriate?
3. Anything else?
Adam Triplett
Deputy Attorney General
IALegaI\ELECTRICW WE2501_G2501_GRCUmemos\AVUEG2501_dec5_at.docx
DECISION MEMORANDUM 3