HomeMy WebLinkAbout20260330Notice_of_Application_Order_No_36985.pdf Office of the Secretary
Service Date
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION March 30,2026
IN THE MATTER OF AVISTA ) CASE NO.AVU-E-26-02
CORPORATION'S ANNUAL RATE )
ADJUSTMENT FILING FOR ITS ELECTRIC ) NOTICE OF APPLICATION
LINE EXTENSION SCHEDULE 51 )
NOTICE OF MODIFIED
PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36985
On March 6, 2026, Avista Corporation, doing business as Avista Utilities ("Company")
applied to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission ("Commission") requesting an order approving
the update in costs and administrative changes to the Company's Electric Line Extension Schedule
51 ("Schedule 51"). The Company requested a May 15, 2026, effective date. The Company
requested its filing be processed by Modified Procedure, pursuant to the Commission's Rules of
Procedure 201-204, IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204.
The Commission now issues this Notice of Application and Notice of Modified Procedure
establishing written comment deadlines.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Company's Schedule 51 electric line extension
tariff establishes the estimated costs for electrical infrastructure regularly used in extending
electrical service, such as transformers and conduit. Application at 2. The Company represents the
estimated costs set forth in Schedule 51 are determined from the recent average costs of the
infrastructure. Id. The Company does not propose changing the average costing principle used to
determine the estimated costs in Schedule 51.Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company filed additional documentation
including workpapers and work order estimates, to support the cost updates in Schedule 51.Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company represents it will also update
allowances for incoming commercial, industrial, and residential customers.Id. at 3. The Company
represents that it calculated the revised allowances under the "embedded-cost methodology
approach." Id. The embedded-cost methodology approach works to make sure the cost for
distribution/terminal facilities for each new customer is similar to the costs of the same
infrastructure already allocated for in base rates.Id. New customers will have to pay for costs that
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36985 1
exceed the updated allowances. Id. The Company represents it based the embedded cost
calculation on the "Cost of Service study" from its most recent general rate case filing, Case No.
AVU-E-25-01. Id. The following is a summary of the Company's proposed changes to the
allowances:
Service Schedule Existing Proposed
Schedule 1 Individual Customer (per unit) $2,545 $2,755
Schedule 1 Duplex (per unit) $2,035 $2,205
Schedule 1 Multiplex (per unit) $1,530 $1,655
Schedule 11/12 (per kWh) $0.19912 $0.21041
Schedule 21/22 (per kWh) $0.18388 $0.20083
Schedule 31/32 (per kWh) $0.32929 $0.35568
Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company represents its "Construction &
Material Standards" filed with its application reflect the most recent revisions to the "National
Electric Safety Code."Id. at 3-4.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company represents it will update the average
costs for primary circuits, secondary circuits, service circuits, and transformers. Id. at 4. The
following is an overview of the Company's proposed update to the average costs:
Present Proposed
Overhead Primary Circuit
Fixed Cost $5,536 $5,952
Variable Costs $11.20 $12.04
Underground Primary Circuit
Fixed Costs $2,583 $2,754
Variable Costs $13.55 $14.31
Underground Secondary Circuit
Fixed Costs $647 $688
Variable Costs $12.75 $13.18
Overhead Secondary Circuit
Fixed Costs $2,279 $2,466
Overhead Service Circuit $5.06 $5.56
Underground Service Circuit $10.29 $10.78
Overhead Transformer $5,308 $5,222
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36985 2
Padmount Transformer $10,003 $9,134
Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company represents that the contributing
factors for the increase in average costs for primary circuits, secondary circuits, service circuits,
and transformers are "higher overheads and vehicle costs." Id. The Company represents the
increased vehicle costs are due to expenses for maintenance and repair of the Company's fleet
vehicles and higher fuels costs. Id. The Company represents the higher overhead costs are due to
increased costs for labor and benefits. Id. at 5.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company represents that based on the current
Construction & Material Standards and the average construction costs for 2025, it will update its
residential development costs to the following:
Residential Developments
Present Proposed
Total Cost per Lot $ 3,849 $ 3,818
Less: Service Cost $ 516 $ 541
Developer Responsibility $ 3,333 $ 3,277
Developer Refundable Payment $ 2,545 $ 2,755
Builder Non-Refundable Payment $ 1,304 $ 1,063
Allowance $ 2,545 $ 2,755
Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company will remove language from the tariff
to clarify that developers who pay for extension costs described in 4.b.1) can apply for a refund
annually for each permanent customer that is connected in the development in the first five (5)
years following the start of construction.Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application is available for public inspection
during regular business hours at the Commission's office. The Application is also available on the
Commission's website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on the "ELECTRIC" icon, select "Open
Cases," and click on the case number as shown on the front of this document.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36985 3
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 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 that it will proceed under Modified
Procedure pursuant to the Commission's Rules of Procedure 201-204, 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 the person supports or opposes the
Application. Persons who would like a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written
comments and explain why written comments alone are insufficient. Persons interested in filing
written comments, must do so by April 23, 2026. 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 http://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.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36985 4
For the Idaho Public Utilities For the Company:
Commission:
Commission Secretary Anni Glogovac
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Patrick Ehrbar
P.O. Box 83720 Avista Corporation
Boise, ID 83720-0074 P.O. Box 3727
secretarykpuc.idaho.goy 1411 E. Mission Avenue, MSC 27
Spokane, WA 99220
anni.glo og vackavistacorp.com
patrick.ehrbar(a)avistacorp.com
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company must file any reply comments by
April 30, 2026.
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 final
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 this Application be processed under Modified Procedure,
Rules 201-204, IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204. Persons interested in submitting written comments
must do so by April 23, 2026. The Company must file any reply comments by April 30, 2026.
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. 36985 5
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 301h day of
March, 2026.
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EDWARD LODGE, PR DENT
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JO R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER
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DAYN HAKDIE, COMMISSIONER
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Commission Secretary
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 36985 6