20040824Potlatch Motion to Compel w Affidavit.pdf

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Conley E. Ward (ISB No. 1683)
GIVENS PURSLEY LLP
601 W. Bannock Street
O. Box 2720
Boise, ID 83701-2720
Telephone No. [phone]
Fax No. [phone]
cew~gi venspursley. com
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Attorneys for Potlatch Corporation
S:\CLIENTS\1314\S4\Motion to Compel.DOC
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF A VISTA CORPORATION 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. A VU-04-
A VU -04-
POTLATCH CORPORATION'
MOTION TO COMPEL
DISCOVERY RESPONSES
COMES NOW Potlatch Corporation, by and through its attorneys of record
Givens Pursley LLP, and respectfully requests an order requiring A vista Corporation to
produce discovery responses on or before August 30, 2004 to Potlatch Corporation
Sixth Set of Discovery Requests to A vista Corporation.
This motion is made and based upon the Affidavit of Conley E. Ward filed
contemporaneously herewith.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED This 24th day of August 2004.
ORIGINAL
POTLA TCH CORPORATION'S MOTION TO COMPEL DISCOVERY RESPONSES - Page 1 of 3
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that on this 24th day of August 2004, I caused to be served
a true and correct copy of the foregoing document by the method indicated below, and
addressed to the following:
Jean Jewell
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
472 W. Washington Street
O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
) U.S. Mail
(v') Hand Delivered
) Overnight Mail
) Facsimile
Scott Woodbury
Lisa Nordstrom
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
472 W. Washington Street
O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
swoodbu~puc. state.id.
lnordst~puc. state.id.
) U.S. Mail
( 01) Hand Delivered
) Overnight Mail
) Facsimile
) E-Mail
David J. Meyer
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
A vista Corporation
O. Box 3727
1411 E. Mission Ave., MSC-
Spokane, WA 99220-3727
david.meyer~avistacorp. com
) U.S. Mail
) Hand Delivered
) Overnight Mail
) Facsimile
( JJ E-Mail
Kelly Norwood
Vice President, State and Federal Regulation
A vista Utilities
O. Box 3727
1411 E. Mission Ave., MSC- 7
Spokane, WA 99220-3727
kelly .norwood~avistacorp.com
) U.S. Mail
) Hand Delivered
) Overnight Mail
) Facsimile
(J) Mail
Dennis E. Peseau, Ph.
Utility Resources, Inc.
1500 Liberty Street SE, Ste. 250
Salem, OR 97302
dpeseau~exci te. com
) U.S. Mail
) Hand Delivered
) Overnight Mail
) Facsimile
( ./J E-Mail
POTLATCH CORPORATION'S MOTION TO COMPEL DISCOVERY RESPONSES - Page 2 of3
Charles L.A. Cox
EVANS, KEANE
111 Main Street
O. Box 659
Kellogg, ID 83837
ccox~usamedia. tv
) U.S. Mail
) Hand Delivered
) Overnight Mail
) Facsimile
(J) Mail
Michael Karp
147 Appaloosa Lane
Bellingham, W A 98229
michael~awish.net
) U.S. Mail
) Hand Delivered
) Overnight Mail
) Facsimile
oJ) Mail
) U.S. Mail
) Hand Delivered
) Overnight Mail
) Facsimile
( ~ E-Mail
Brad M. Purdy
Attorney at Law
2019 N. 17th Street
Boise, ID 83702
bmpurdy~hotmail. com
Anthony J. Yankel
29814 Lake Road
Bay Village, OH 44140
) U.S. Mail
) Hand Delivered
) Overnight Mail
) Facsimile
( ~ E-Mail
t:1u
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Conley E. Ward
POTLATCH CORPORATION'S MOTION TO COMPEL DISCOVERY RESPONSES - Page 3 of
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_.-
Conley E. Ward (ISB No. 1683)
GIVENS PURSLEY LLP
601 W. Bannock Street
O. Box 2720
Boise, ID 83701-2720
Telephone No. [phone]
Fax No. [phone]
cew~gi venspursley. com
';:..
\L.
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UTILITIES cur'lrFii~
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Attorneys for Potlatch Corporation
S:\CLIENTS\1314\S4\CEW Affidavit in Support of Motion to Compel.DOC
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF A VISTA CORPORATION FOR THE
AUTHORITY TO INCREASE ITS RATES
AND CHARGES FOR ELECTRIC AND
NA TURAL GAS SERVICE TO ELECTRIC
AND NATURAL GAS CUSTOMERS IN THE
STATE OF IDAHO.
Case Nos. A VU-04-
A VU -04-
AFFIDAVIT OF CONLEY E.
WARD IN SUPPORT OF
POTLATCH CORPORATION'
MOTION TO COMPEL
DISCOVERY RESPONSES
STATE OF IDAHO
ss.
County of Ada
Conley E. Ward, being first duly sworn upon oath, deposes and says:
I am the counsel of record for Potlatch Corporation in the above-captioned matter.
On August 4, 2004, I served Potlatch Corporation s Sixth Set of Discovery
Requests upon A vista Corporation.
On August 19 2004, I received Avista Corporation s Objection to Potlatch
Corporation s Sixth Set of Discovery Requests. A copy of that objection is attached hereto as
Exhibit A.
ORIGINAL
AFFIDAVIT OF CONLEY E. WARD IN SUPPORT OF POTLATCH CORPORATION'S MOTION TO
COMPEL DISCOVERY RESPONSES - Page 1 of 5
A vista Corporation has refused to produce discoverable records concerning its
intent to purchase Mirant's half interest in Coyote Springs 2 on the grounds that "The possible
purchase of Mirant's interest in Coyote Springs 2 is not at issue in these proceedings." Avista
Corporation s objection is inconsistent with the rules of discovery and the law. Rule 26(b)(1) of
the Idaho Civil Rules provides that "Parties may obtain discovery regarding any matter, not
privileged, which is relevant to the subject matter involved in the pending action. . . ." One of
the primary issues in this case is whether A vista should be allowed to rate base construction costs
in excess of Coyote Springs 2' s fair market value. The price and terms of the potential purchase
of Mirant' s half of Coyote Springs 2 are obviously relevant to the determination of the plant's
fair market value. More generally, this case calls into question the prudence of Avista s resource
acquisition strategies and its dealings with Mirant in the natural gas transaction identified as
Deal A " and all of the discovery requests are designed to produce information relevant to these
Issues.
Potlatch Corporation requests an immediate order compelling the production of
Potlatch Corporation s Sixth Set of Discovery Requests to Avista Corporation by August 30
2004 in order that Potlatch Corporation and the Commission may be fully advised concerning
Avista Corporation s intent to purchase Mirant's half interest in Coyote Springs 2. Because of
the time constraints imposed by the looming statutory deadline for issuance of a Commission
order in this case, Potlatch does not request oral argument on this Motion, but it stands ready to
appear in any further proceedings the Commission may deem necessary or advisable.
FURTHER YOUR AFFIANT SA YETH NOT.
AFFIDA VIT OF CONLEY E. WARD IN SUPPORT OF POTLATCH CORPORATION'S MOTION TO
COMPEL DISCOVERY RESPONSES - Page 2 of 5
SUBSCRIBED and SWORN to before me this 24th day of August 2004.
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NOT AR PUBLIC FOR IDAHO
Residing at: Boise, Idaho
My commission expires: 9/29/04
AFFIDAVIT OF CONLEY E. WARD IN SUPPORT OF POTLATCH CORPORATION'S MOTION TO
COMPEL DISCOVERY RESPONSES - Page 3 of
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that on this 24th day of August 2004, I caused to be served
a true and correct copy of the foregoing document by the method indicated below, and
addressed to the following:
Jean Jewell
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
472 W. Washington Street
O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
) U.S. Mail
( ~
Hand Delivered
) Overnight Mail
) Facsimile
Scott Woodbury
Lisa Nordstrom
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
472 W. Washington Street
O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
swood bu~puc. state. id. us
lnordst~puc.state.id. us
) U.S. Mail
( -Jj Hand Delivered
) Overnight Mail
) Facsimile
) E-Mail
David J. Meyer
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
A vista Corporation
O. Box 3727
1411 E. Mission Ave., MSC-
Spokane, VVA 99220-3727
davi d. meyer~avi stacorp. com
) U.S. Mail
) Hand Delivered
) Overnight Mail
) Facsimile
/1 E-Mail
Kelly Norwood
Vice President, State and Federal Regulation
A vista Utilities
O. Box 3727
1411 E. Mission Ave., MSC- 7
Spokane, VV A 99220-3727
kell y .norwood~avistacorp. com
) U.S. Mail
) Hand Delivered
) Overnight Mail
) Facsimile
(J) Mail
Dennis E. Peseau, Ph.
Utility Resources, Inc.
1500 Liberty Street SE, Ste. 250
Salem, OR 97302
dpeseau~excite.com
) U.S. Mail
) Hand Delivered
) Overnight Mail
) Facsimile
( Jj E-Mail
AFFIDAVIT OF CONLEY E. WARD IN SUPPORT OF POTLATCH CORPORATION'
MOTION TO COMPEL DISCOVERY RESPONSES - Page 4 of
Charles L.A. Cox
EV ANS, KEANE
111 Main Street
O. Box 659
Kellogg, ID 83837
ccox~usamedia. tv
) U.S. Mail
) Hand Delivered
) Overnight Mail
) Facsimile
( JJ E-Mail
Brad M. Purdy
Attorney at Law
2019 N. ih Street
Boise, ID 83702
bmpurdy~hotmail.com
) U.S. Mail
) Hand Delivered
) Overnight Mail
) Facsimile
(jJ E-Mail
Michael Karp
147 Appaloosa Lane
Bellingham, W A 98229
mi c hae 1 ~a wi sh. net
Anthony J. Yankel
29814 Lake Road
Bay Village, OH 44140
) U.S. Mail
) Hand Delivered
) Overnight Mail
) Facsimile
( JJ E-Mail
) U.S. Mail
) Hand Delivered
) Overnight Mail
) Facsimile
( ../J E-Mail
Jiuir
6. 1M uW
Conley E. Ward
AFFIDA VIT OF CONLEY E. WARD IN SUPPORT OF POTLATCH CORPORATION'
MOTION TO COMPEL DISCOVERY RESPONSES - Page 5 of 5
DAVID 1. MEYER, Esq.
, CHIEF COUNSEL
for REGULATORY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
VISTA CORPORATION
O. BOX 3727
1411 E. MISSION AVE., MSC-
SPOKANE, W A 99220-3727
david .Inever((!2avistacorp. com
Attorney for A vista Utilities
[phone]
[phone] (FAX)
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AUG ~~ 2004
(;ivens Pursley, LLP
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BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF A VISTA CORPORATION 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-O4-
A VU -O4-
VISTA CORPORATION'
OBJECTION TO POTLATCH
CORPORATION'S SIXTH
SET OF DISCOVERY
REQUESTS TO AVISTA
A vista Corporation, by and through its attorney of record, David J. Meyer, VP , Chief
Counsel for Regulatory and Governmental Affairs, hereby objects to Potlatch Corporation s Sixth
Set of Discovery Requests.
Request No. 86:
In A vista s latest quarterly earnings report, Gary Ely states that A vista has entered into a
non-binding letter of intent to purchase Mirant's half interest in Coyote Springs 2.
(a) Please provide a copy of the letter of intent.
(b) Please provide a statement of the purchase price and any terms and conditions
agreed to by A vista and Mirant that are not included in the letter of intent.
Please provide copies of all studies comparing the cost and benefits of Coyote(c)
Springs 2 to existing or potential alternative resources.
A VISTA'S OBJECTION TO POTLATCH'
SIXTH SET OF DISCOVERY REQUESTS
EXH BIT A
Page 1
Response No. 86:
A vista respectfully objects to this request for information. The possible purchase of
Mirant's interest in Coyote Springs 2 is not at issue in these proceedings; Avista has asked for no
rate relief or other regulatory treatment with respect to this potential transaction in this docket.
Should A vista consummate this purchase, any request for associated rate relief will be the subject
of future proceedings, which will afford all parties the opportunity for discovery.
Moreover, it should be recognized that only a confidential non-binding letter of intent has
been executed. A definitive purchase and sale agreement has yet to be negotiated and executed.
Unless and until such an agreement is reached, any such purchase remains indefinite.
Request No. 87:
Please explain how A vista proposes to finance the purchase of Mirant's half of CS2.
Response No. 87:
Please see Avista s response to Request No. 86.
Request No. 88:
Please explain in detail why A vista is purchasing Mirant's half of coyote Springs 2 without
issuing a request for proposal.
Response No. 88:
Please see A vista s response to Request No. 86.
Request No. 89:
Please provide a copy of Avisa s latest loads and resources forecast using average water or
its equivalent.
A VISTA'S OBJECTION TO POTLATCH'
SIXTH SET OF DISCOVERY REQUESTS Page 2
Response No. 89:
Please see Avista s response to Request No. 86.
Dated at Spokane, Washington, this 18th day of August, 2004.
~/ -.//
vid J. Meyer
VP and Chief Counsel for Regulatory
and Governmental Affairs
A vista Corporation
A VISTA'S OBJECTION TO POTLATCH'
SIXTH SET OF DISCOVERY REQUESTS Page 3