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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20171129Avista to Staff 1-7.pdfAvista Corp. 1411 East Mission P.O. Box3727 Spokane. Washington 99220-0500 Telephone 509-489-0500 TollFree 800-727-9170 November 28,2017 Z-- Paul Kimball Regulatory Analyst Enclosures CC (Email): #stsrfr cwp, REC E IVED 20ll HOv 29 tt{ l0: 03 lLlAi i,j ,,ilBLtc , ll il :T!=S CtIMMISSION Idaho Public Utilities Commission 472W. Washington St. Boise, ID 83702-0074 Attn: Brandon Karpen Deputy Attorney General Re: Production Request of the Commission Staff in Case No. AVU-E-17-09 Dear Mr. Karpen, Enclosed are Avista's responses to IPUC Staffs production requests in the above referenced docket. Included in this mailing are the original and two poper copies of Avista's responses to production requests: Staff 001(AVA) - 007(AVA). Also enclosed on three separate CD's are copies of Avista's responses to the production requests. The electronic versions of the responses were emailed on lll28ll7. If there are any questions regarding the enclosed information, please contact Paul Kimball at (509) 495-4584 or via e-mail at paul.kimball@avistacorp.com Sincerely IPUC (Hanian) Clearwater (Richardson, Reading, Lewallen, Haugen, Jacobs, Wren, Smith) Idaho Conservation League (Otto) Idaho Forest Group (Miller, Williams, Crowley) CAPAI (Purdy) WNIDCL (Franco) AVISTA CORPORATION RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION JURISDICTION: IDAHO DATE PREPARED: lll08l20l7 CASE NO: AVU-E-17-09 / AVU-G-17-05 WITNESS: Mark Thies REQUESTER: IPUC RESPONDER: Paul KimballTYPE: Production Request DEPARTMENT: State & Federal Regulation REQUEST NO.: Staff-001(AVA) TELEPHONE: (509) 49s-4584 REQUEST: Please provide copies of all data request questions received by Avista and/or Hydro One from all parties in each of the jurisdictions the Company serves regarding the proposed merger. RESPONSE: Please see Staff PR_001(AVA) Attachment A for the non-confidential questions. Avista and Hydro One are in the process of negotiating a protective agreement with IPUC Staff and intervenors and will produce the Highly Confidential questions served on Avista and Hydro One in the other jurisdictions as soon as the protective agreements for the IPUC proceeding have been executed. l$ = (= A)<rnr\) f)r.D iTlre:]Em {J G' _; t-- ---::':] ,--1._() ii*rr =F6r}C)U) C)2 500869550 v'1 RECE IVEO HolJ 2e AH &t$R8]',o*' n5r:3 tluULRPQUESTER: iTr;:+'coH*M1S$pON REQUEST NO.: AVISTA CORPORATION RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION IDAHO DATE PREPARED: AVU.E. I 7-09/AVU.G -17 -05 WITNESS:IPUC RESPONDER: Production Request DEPARTMENT:Staff-002(AVA) TELEPHONE: EMAIL: 1y1412017 Mark Thies/Christopher Lopez Patrick Ehrbar/Adele Pantusa State & Federal Regulation (s09) 49s-8620 p atri ck. ehrb ar @av istac o rp. co m REQUEST: Please provide the rationale and calculations for the $0.95M in non-offsetable credit. RESPONSE: In the Joint Application, Hydro One and Avista have proposed rate credits for Avista customers totaling $31.5 million over 10 years, $22.0 million of which is offsetable by cost savings, as identified below. AW-E-17-09 / Avt]-G-17-05 Two-Step Rate Credit Proposal (in millions) Annual Credit Annual Credit Yean 1-5 Years 6-10 Total Credit Total Credit kss Offsetable Credit Non-Offsetable Credit $$$2.65 1.70 3.6s 2.70 31.50 22.00 $ 0.9s $ 0.9s $9.50 In determining the Rate Credit Hydro One considered the Puget Sound Energy merger, approved by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission in DocketU-072375, using the total PSE rate credit as a baseline. Hydro One calculated the total amount of Puget Sound Energy rate credits as a percentage of PSE's annual revenue requirement to provide a basis for determining a similar level of rate credits for Avista Utilities, a relatively smaller-sized utility. The PSE rate credits, as a percentage of its annual revenue requirements, were applied to Avista Utilities' annual revenue requirement to determine a similar level of total rate credits for Avista's customers in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. The Offsetable portion of the Rate Credit, represents the estimated immediate cost savings that will be achieved post-closing, as described in witness Mr. Thies testimony on page 19, see Table No. l. While Hydro One used the PSE transaction as a comparison when considering customer rate credits, the circumstances of each utility at the time of the respective transactions are unique and the transaction with Avista should be evaluated on its own merits. 500852745 v3 Page I of I PRT'ILEG"o*'o',$*ilill1'ilffi il'3,1il;,il$Ri'#Iil?i"tT'DEFENSEAND AVISTA CORPORATION RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION JURISDICTION: CASE NO: REQUESTER: TYPE: REQUEST NO.: IDAHO DATE PREPARED: lll08l20l7 AVU-E-I7-09 / AVU-G-I7-05 WITNESS: Mark ThiesIPUC RESPONDER: Annette Brandon Production Request DEPARTMENT: State & Federal RegulationStaff-003(AVA) TELEPHONE: (509) 49s-4324 REQUEST: Please provide a schedule showing each member of the Board of Directors and the amount paid to each member in 2016 and 2017, including any costs for stock options. Please also include the reimbursed costs for each member (travel, meals, etc.). RESPONSE: Please see Staff PR_003(AVA) Attachment A for a scheduling showing each member of the Board of Directors and the amount paid to each member in20l6 and20l7. r-,@ 4.pU SE ?n rr =oq (r) ?-n :-*6)'{_c -<noIoz o{-No\|oo =!mz an{5z 1l --l>o<-t =>mrzo1r(r>v--lmvt- 0,o.o" cro)o- ='o oa@@ o 0) 3ocf E.e oa o @ eo -l0,xoo aooo3do @oox 6oco) oo =o, aoox aaco) oo {o-{ t- o@CQOon1v0d'xo E. ==(Da o o o6 (DtoCL A' No -lI 'noo No o oo =og .Ttod N5 o oo ooogr -alot, 5 ofodfooo 9t a'log N eo(, @ooa =ooe o -noo N oo3 P o 'TtoE N C 1- oo-=o -no(t N oo o30)loo (o -no N mfs. a:f3of 0) -no f!f0) oo o G0, (o o 3Eoo oo -oA'o.I6oo vo 9. o o= ='noo ='o ocoao vog. o g -(,oP<)o 4 "(noIoo g '(noPoo @ '(,oIoo g iroPoo 6 N-(,oIoo @ 9o{(tIo zE,mv@o2 ,q { Jo C)Pot{ @ oA-@ oivA a N\N 90{(, @ b,5{b,@ @ O)(oio..1Nbo zomvU,oz o N -oG) 9o{(n g 5(, irJ(, 6 "Oloobo g '(,to9oo @ "(,oobo @ 'OroP o 4 -cnoIoo 6 o)\(,Poo @ 9D{(,Io<) tp Exm ,6 N(, -o(rt (oLot @ ()) -o@@(o\(, a b,5Jo)@ 6 (o io{Nbo tD FIm q (.)NLoIo)@ @ (ooo b,(o @ 'oo9oo oEnxm @ '(,,oPoo o "(,oIoo g '(noobo @ '(,oIoo g '(Jtoobo 6 '(,oobo g -@{OtPoo trC7xm 4 oJo(o gt (r,{ 6 -(,(r) C,)l.)olo @ N itcO)5i(o @ -o.!-.t b)@ 6 o) -(o(o\tl$oo 4 N{i, P(t)(r! 6 s(r)I(,(n '(noIoo g g '(rtoF)oo a '(,roIoo g snooIoo NinoIoo 6 (l) -oNo 9o(,(/) xmt-t- g) op @ Ioto) @ @(o-o Ns,(o to(oN -l(rl 6 xmrI 4 . 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In addition, the Board will be reduced from ten to nine members. The impact of these changes results in costs savings of approximately $5 80,000, Cost savings are primarily related to reduction in number of Board Members. The value of compensation paid to Board Members is not anticipated to change and will remain similar to the amount included in the Company's response to Staff_PR_003(AVA). r\} =fr,re.mr$ C)rog - lr! C:, (j) =-+*: 5-cO =-(/}C}U'oz PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL - JOINT PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE AND CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT MATERIALS AVISTA CORPORATION RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION JUzuSDICTION: CASE NO: REQUESTER: TYPE: REQUEST NO.: IDAHO DATE PREPARED: AVU.E-I7-09 / AVU-G-17.05 WITNESS:IPUC RESPONDER: Production Request DEPARTMENT: Staff-005(AVA) TELEPHoNE: 1y0812017 Mark Thies Gina Armstrong Risk (50e) 49s-4943 REQUEST: Please provide a schedule by year showing the corporate credit rating, senior secured debt rates, and the rating outlooks for each of the past five years. RESPONSE: See Staff PR_005(AVA) Attachment A.a\te 4vZ. rnsa ?- rn:t:q (^) -"-.1 '',F1 ._j-m ) i '-i-|F5r)-. zk4r U'C)U'o !-l o t-.1 ooo(Eo- x!x PCo E -c,(J(t,P g rooo Id.o- slI(! tll LNrioN d)riON rhJsd I.J.JF Fz I.J.J IJ.Jt!E,(9 F =Fz IJ.Jo IIzo(J oz I.J.JVIz IJ.JlJ-lJ.looz zotrf(J LUttloG.o-Fzo I -t Fz I.J.Jo lJ-zo(J oz ot!(9trlJ =&.6- rloN e* EEE6 P!o:o6.!2- obe-Evl()otJ1 oo(uCP,Efo io6d L_8E(J 3 OJ'f; q, o a, q.,&oc-o-o.(!(E(!(!-9!PPu ,Jl tt', ,J, VtE l (-! r'{ r-l rl ri(!(o(!(U(E(!(It(!(!(1,@cocooco CNNNNN E96 =(uEE E5co(u s*.=oEEt6 bo(uCP.Erob6Eo_P 8EU ditii oco@cooocococo@co co co co ocl o o o q.,.9 -O-O-O-OPsEsg'E6 .,/l vt tll X oi!oo u ooc !ct! 'tr o!c(! IA PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL - JOINT PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE AND CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT MATERIALS AVISTA CORPORATION RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION JURISDICTION CASE NO: REQUESTER: TYPE: REQUEST NO.: IDAHO DATE PREPARED: 1110812017 AVU-E-17-09 / AVU-G-I7-05 WITNESS: Mark ThiesIPUC RESPONDER: Gina Armstrong Production Request DEPARTMENT: RiskStaff-006(AVA) TELEPHONE: (509) 495-4943 REQUEST: Please provide the detailed rating outlooks for each of the past three years. RESPONSE: See Staff PR_006(AVA) Attachment A. h)@ Xfl}ErnHE =5.-L -gq C/O vl----i r-1 i i11-ir;{ ?'=.}(JJ3r @r)u)oZ S&F Gt*h*l Ratings HntinS$mirert. Research Update: Avista Corp. Outlook Revised To Positive From Stable On Planned Acquisition By Hydro One Ltd. Pdmary Credit Analyat: Safrna Ali, CFA, New York (1) 212-438-1877 mfina-ali@spglobal.com Secondary Contact: Cerrit W Jepser. CFA, New York (l) 212-438-2529i gerritjepscn@spglobal.com Tabk 0f eontents Overview Rating Action Rationale Outlook Recovery Analysis I Issue Ratings Ratings Score Snapshot Related Criteria Ratings List Wi,V\,v S I AN{lA,lllAN{:lP{]il8S C{.}ili/nAItNUSnlBii.;} ' ) ,l . Jl.['Y le, ]{}}7 r Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A Page 1 oI 42 Researeh Update; Avista Corp. Outlook Revised To Positive From Stable On Planned Acquisition By Hydro One Ltd. *vervi*w . Toronto, Ontario-based utility Hydro one Ltsd. (HOL) has entered into an agreement bo acguire U. S. -based AvisEa Co:.p. (Avistsa) fo:: C$5 . ? biLlion in an all-cash transaction. r We are affirming our ratings on Avist.a, including rhe rBBBt i.geuer cred.ib rating. and rewising the outlook to positive from $table.. rhe positive olrlook refl.ects the potenEial for higher ratings on Avista i.f t,he acguisiti-on is compleued as proposed. fiating &*ti*n On July 79, 2A17, S6(P Global Ratlngs affirmsd its ratings, including the 'BBB' iesuer crediL rating, on Avista. Corp. and revlsed the outlook to posiLive from ctabl e . katiCInalx ?he outlook revision on Avista reflecta the potential for higher ratinge upon the completion of the acquieition by Hydro One Lld. (HOL). Poet-acguisition, we wiLl view Avtsta a6 a highly sErat€gic subsidiarSr of HOL. Our asses$ment. is based orr our view that. Avista will be an important member of the Hot group, highly unlikely to be so1d, and integra)" to overall group st.rategy and operations, Avist,a will- be a signiflca.nt caeh flow conlr"lbutor to Lhe group, making up abouL 22* of consolidated 881?DA. We would also see a sEronE, ]^ong-t.erm commitment of supporb from HOL senior management in almnst all circumstances. Avistats highly sLrategic group sEatus woul"d resul-t in an tssuer credit rating one noLch below uhe rating on HOt. Our assessment of Avista''s busiuess risk reflects the strength and contribution of its regul-ated electric and gas utility operaLions. AvisLa eonducts vertieally integrated elecEric and natural gas di$Eribution utiliLy openations in [faohinglon and Tdaho, e],ecLric operaLlons in Alaska, and gas disl.ribution in Oregon. The company serves a toeal of about 700,000 customers our !inancial- risk profile assec'smetlt on Avisba is based on financial ratlo benchmarks that are more relaxed cornpared wiEh thoee used for typicaL corporate issuers, This reflects Lhe mosEly steady cash flow frorn its regulated utilicy opera'tions. Our: baee-caee scenario pr:oJects adjusted ful:ds Ww*W,SIANDARDAN$PONH$N{:}M/f IAIINfi S{TlTCI ,; 'i riir:ii': ): rritri:i.i:ii:. '.' ,, ^r l, Staff_P R_006(AVA) Attachment A JUI.Y 19, ?.fi17 2 Page 2 ol 42 Researcb Update: Avista CorP. Outbok Repised To Posititrt Fron Stable On Planned Aequisitiew By Hydro Oue Ltd. from operations (S'f'O) t.o debt of roughly 16t-18t over Ehe next two years Liquidity we asse86 Avieta's liguldj.ry as adequate because in our view lts sourceE are ll)<ely Co cover uoee by more than 1.1x over t.he next 12 rtonths and co m.eet cash ouEflews, even in the eveni of a 10t decllne in EBI?DA" The asseEsmenl also reflecEs ehe sompanyts generally prudenr rlsk management. sound relabionships with banks, and a gene:ral1y satisfastory standinE in credit. rnarkete. Prlncipal 1 lquidlty sources : r Cash FFO of abouc $355 millior; afld r Revolving credlt faciltcy availabllity of $400 milIion. Principal liquidity u6€$rr Debt maLurities, including ouEstandi.ng commercial paper, of about $11"0million;. Capital spending of about $410 million, and r Dividends of about $95 million. Outlrak rhe poeitive oullook reflects t,he poLential for higher ratinge on Avista if HOL compleces its acqulsttlon as proposed. Upon close of rlre transactton, we will consider Avisra as a highly straceglc subsidiary of HoL, resulting in an iesuer crediE rating on Avista Lhat Is one not.ch below our ralirrg on HOL. Downside scenario We do noE envision a lower ratlng on Alrista, buL we would revise Ehe outlook to etable j.f the transaction fails to close or is cornpleted in a manner that resulte ir more Lhan a one-notch downgrade of HOL. Prior to Ehe compl.eLion of the acguioition, we could lower Ehe raEing on Avlsta if its business rlEk weakeng maEerially or cr:edil measures dimjnlsh such t,hat FFQ to debE {s consistently below 15&. This could occur due Eo increased use of leverage Lo cover fuading shortfalls or adverse regulatory decisions leading to incr:eaeed regulatory lag or a large defer:ral of cosEs. Upside scerario We could ralse our ratings on AvisEa by one notch following t,he acguisition lf our issuer credit rating on liOL is 'A-t. Once HOL ovrns Avista. we will base our issuer credit. rating on Avlsta on the group's crediL profi1.e, which would Lypically be one noich lower. We do not. conLemplate an upgrade on AvisLa before the acguisitlon is completed given the companyts current buslness m.Lx, regul"atory risk, and financial meagures in our ba$e-caee scenario" !\AryW. 5I ANt]AROANDT'T}OR5,CE}MfiA]IN(jSONT CT I t- ' l1:" , ir:'t r: r' ' , ri i: t rl:j:'i:l 'l ! 'r;:;"'J1,i.ti. . iriiiirlir: ' I i'i<l l. l Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A JULY t9,2Ut7 3 Page 3 ol 42 Rcsearcb llpdate: Auistq CrrF, Outlook Repised To Posiltiue lrun Stable On ?lattned Actluisilian By llydxt Arc Ltrl. Recovery Analysiel Isxue Ratingx r AvisEa's firat,-mortgage bonds benefit from a first-priority lien on gubsEancially a}l of the utiliEy's real property orened or subseguentrly aequired, Collateral coverage of more than 1.5x eupports a recovery rat.ing of ,1+r and an lssue rating two not.ches above Lhe issuer credit raLing.. rJe raEe the preferred stock issued by AvisLa Capit,al If lwo noLches below the iseuer credit rattng on AvlsEa Corp. to reflect, the dlEcretlonary naEure of che dividend and t.he deeply subordlnaEed claim if a bankrupLcy oecurs.r The short-Eerm rating on Avista Corp. is rA-2t based on our rBBBr issuer credit raEing on the company. &ntings Senre $n*pshrt Corporate CrediL lating: BBBlPositive/A-Z Buslness riekr Strong . country risk: Very low r Industry risk: Very low. compeEitlve position: Satisfactory Financlal risk: SiEnifj.cant. Cash flow/Leverage: Signlficant Anchor: bbb Modlfiersr Diversification/Portfolio effect: Neutral (no impacE) . capiEal atructure: Neutral (no impact) r Financial policy: Neurral (no irnpact) r Liquidity: Adequate (no impact). Management and governaace: Satiefactory ino impact) . Coaparable rat.ing analysis: Neutral {no imp*cr} Stand-al,one credit profile; bhb. Group credi.t profile: bbb H"elated Criteria o General CriEeria: Methodology For Linking l,ong-?errn And Shoru-rerm Rat.ings , April 7, 2al7 r cr:lterla - Corporates - ceneral: Methodology And ABsumprions; Liquidity Descripeors For Global Cor:porale Issuor6, Dee. 16, 201{ r Criltel:ia - Corporares - Generalr Cor:porat.e Met.hodology; Ratioe And Adjustment.s, Nov, t 9, 2013 www srn$0AnnAilnp$0trs c0M/fiATtNfiSfilltl c'l ,,i ,,.i. 1il:l :.:tt i. t' ,',:1:tt:,.i | ,'j i ! i' .'lr ' , - ,i Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A Jt.lt.Y 19,2ot7 4 Page 4 ot 42 Resettrch l)ltdate: Auis!* Curp. O*kxtk Rcrrise{, 7\) Pesitits brom Stablr Au Pknrccl Atquisition By llydro ()ne I.td. r Criteria - Csrporaees - Generalr Corporate Met,hodology, Nov. l-9, ?013 r Criteria * Corporates - UtlLiLies: Key Credit Factors For The Regulated Utilities Industr:y, Nov. 19, 2AL1 . General Criteriar Group Rating Methodology, Nov. 19, 2013r General Crlceria: Counlry Risk AsseEEmenl Methodol"ogy And Assumptione, lilov. L9, 2013. General CriLerla: Methodology: Industry Riek, Nov. 19, 2013 o Crtt.eria - Corporateg - UtiliEies: Collateral. Coverage 1\nd Issue NoLchiag Rules For '1+ | And | 1' Recovery RafinEs On Senior g(}nds Secured By Utility Real Prop€rcy, Feb, L4., 2013 . General Cr:iLeriar MefhodoloEyr Management And Governance Credit Factors For Corporate Entities And Insurers, Nov. 1.3, z0l2 . ceneral Criteria: Use Of CreditWatch And outlooks, giept.. 14, ?009 r crlu,erla - Insurance - ceneral: Hybrid Capitel Handbook: September 2008 Edition, SepE. 15, 2008. Criteria - Corporates - Ceneralr 20oB Corporate Criteria: Rating Each lssue, April 15, 2000 R*tings List Raelngo Affirmed; OuEIook Aet.ion To Avist.a Corp. Corporate Credit Rating Ratings Affirmed Avista corp. Senior Secured frecover:y Rabing Avisla Capital 1I Preferred Stock WWIV'IANfiARDANl.T!.iORs COTJI''IAIIN(jSNIltf CT ,. ,..'. rli,,1:1i.,,::, ,..tiriirr.:: :;' ri.: l.-, ,i.,i irl '!'ii llifi ,i; tr,.iit .]i , i,'' Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A BBB/Foeit ive,/A - ? From BBB/Srable/A- 2 A- 1+ BB+ Certain rerms us.ed ln Ehis report, particularly cerf,aln adjectlve6 used to express our view on raLing relevant factors, have epeclfic meanings ascribed Lo Eherr in our critrerla, and should therefore be read in conjuncLion with such crite::ia. please see Ratings CriLeria aL wwr.aEandardalrdpoors.corn for further informatlon. CompleLe ratings inforrnatisn 1e avall-able Eo subscribers of Raf ingsDlrece at wr*w.globalcreditportal "com and at vrvrw.spcapicalig.com. All raeings affected by thls rating acE.lon can be found on the S&P Global Rafings' public website at www.etandardandpoors.com. Use the R.at.ings search box located in t.he l-ef t. colurnn. ,,LJt.Y r e, 2CI t7 "s Page 5 of 42 Copyrrght S 201 7 by Standard & Poor's firancial Ssrr' icss ll C. All dghts lesr'lved nfl lMptt[0 WA*RANnFS, lNCtUOlNS, BUT N0T l,tilrcO I0, ANY WARBANTITS 0f MfRCHAt{TABll.lft 0n f,INf lis tOB A PARTICUTAR PURP0SI 0R USf:, l'R[[$0M rNOM 8UGS, SOfiWART TNROR$ OB I}[TTCI$, THAT lHF CONTIIIT'S TUNCTIONING W}IL BT UNINTTRRUPTTD Off THA] THE CONTENT \UIt OPEBATE WITH ANY $OIIWAHE 0R HAngWARf C0Nf IGLIBAIICN ln no event $hall S&PPartres l* hable t0 sny party lor any dirert. rndirefl, incidenlsl. exernplary, csmpensalny, punilive, oegkgance) rrr corrnectron wrth any uso ol the Contrnt evan il advrsed ol the i{ssibli(t' 0, surh damages C.ed'Frel0ted ard olhsr amlwos. includinq ratin0s, and statem0nt$ in lh8 C0ilenl are rlst[mer$ of opinio$ as 0f th! date tf]ev ars axprssssd and rot statements 0l facl S&P's oprnons, acalyses and ratir',g acknowlodgmenl decisroos td€sulibed belowl atc rtol (ecornmerdalrons to purchaso. hold. or sell any mcuntrcs 0{ lo make any assignrnont. withdrar+al or susponsion of an acknowledgstenl an wefi as any liability for any rJrmage alloged to have beorr sullered on eccount lheraof confiderrilalrty o{ cgrlarn n*n'puftlic infurmation lneervod in c0nns[ti0n wilh ea[h analylreaf process nforrr8l$n about our ral[!gs feei rs &vailabl0 iJt www.$tandardandpootsrcrn/u$,atrng$fe0s, STAN0ARI) & P00fi S, 58P ;ntl flAIINtSDIRtCI are regrstercd tradematks 0f Slandarcl & Poor's Frnarrcial Ssviees I l.C WWW $rANnARnLNlll')O08$ ffil,|rfi AIIN0SI]lH{ CI , .:a:!U i rt , ,,,, !i .,i..il;r..rli-;. ,i Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A jllt.Y 19, 20t7 6 Page 6 of 42 $&P *tcbal Ratings RfrtinSf,[Iirsst. $umrnary; Avista Corp. Primary Cr€dit Analyit: Sa{ina Ali, CfA, New York (l) 212-43S.1877; sahna.ali@rpglobal:eom Secondary Contacti Gerrit W Jepsen, CFA, New York {1} 21?*438-2529; eerritjeps€n@$pglobal.com Tablc 0f Cantents Rationale Outlook Ow Base-Case Scenario Business Risk Financial Risk Liquidity Other Credit Considerations Croup Influence Recovery Analysis Issue Ratings Related Criteria And Research WWW STANN^RIANNPOOIiS COM/AATNOSNBI TI .lt.}Nli. lv,2r)l? I Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A PageT ol42 Sumrnary Avista Corp. furiuei3 rusIil $'fl!flSt} t)CORPORATE CREDIT BBB/Stable/A-2 Vulnerable Financlal ff *k: $lSlYlFlil&trl' {} Highly lewraged Rationale Exeellent Minimrl bbh Anchor a bbb oo- bbb Modiflers 6roup/Gov\ r Regulated, vertically integrated electric and natural gas distribution utility. r Non-utility operations are minimal (less than 5% of consoiidated EBIT?A). r Geographic and operational diversity with large Washington focus, . Fuel supply mix tilted toward hydroelectric power, followed by natural gas. r Regulatory mechanisms provide cash flow stability when Avista purchases power during low-water periods. but do not allow recovery of capital investmenls betwee$ r8te cases. wwvl srANnAfi 0ANff{rt}its (0M/rlAIrNiirif}r&r,cI ,. , . ,tt.):i, .. ;rli.i i,, 1,1, i, .,',!:;i:,: 'j,i{,:i,. r:!.! ; ...:, :.,r-iir.'i' Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A r Capital spending of $400 million - $420 million annually. r Negative discretionary cash flow. r Funding of capital expenditures through a healthy combination of external funding and equity issuance. r ,4dequate liryidiry position provides a cushion due to Avista's reliance on hydroelectric po$,er. JUNri I 9,24t7 1. Page 8 of 42 Suetn*sx Sixl* Strang iFtrranctal Rlxkl $tgut&c*at Sumntary: Ayisld (.orp. 5&P Olobal Ratings'stable outlook on Avista Corp. refiects our expectation that over the next two years the company will make efforts to better manage its regulatory risk, fund capital spending in a manner that does not meaningfirlly increase leverage, preserve adequafe liquidity, and maintain comparable financial performance. Under ourbase-case $cenario we expect funds from operations (FFO) to total debt to aysrage around l7%. Downside scenario We could lower the rating if business risk rises materially or credit measures diminish such that FFO to debt would be consistently below 15s/0. This could occur due to increased use of leverage to cover funding shortfalls or adverse regulatory decisions leading to increased regulatory lag or a large deferral. Upside scenario We do not contemplate an upgrade in the next tlAro years given the company's {uilent business mix, reguiatory risk and financial position. Credit quality could strengthen if cash flow measures considerably improve, specifically FFO to debt of more than 20% on a consistent basis. The company could accornplish this by paying down debt with higher internally generated cash flour, increased equity issuances, asset diepositions or by boosting FFO without adding debt, Our Base-Case $cen*rio . Effective management of regulatory risk especially in Washington where Avista was denied a rate increase. . Capital spending of $400 million - $420 million annualiy. r Dividends of roughly $100 miltion annually. r Regular recovery ofelectric and gas rates in Washington, through surcharges and approval of base rate reset, respectively. r Average operation and maintenance expenses consistent with historical levels. 2016A 30178 U01SI FFO/totaldebt{o/o) 21 16.5-lE 15.6-18 DebI/EBITDA {x) 4.3 4. l-4.6 44.5 OcF/total debt (%) t6,9 l5-16 16.17.5 S&P Gtobal Ratings' adjusted frgures. A-Actual. E*Estimate. FFO-Funds from operations. OCF--Operating cash flow Susiness $tisk: Sfrtxg Avista's low business risk profile reflects the strength and contribution of its regulated electric and gas utitity operations. Avista conducts vertically integrated electrie and natural gas distribution utility operations in Washington and ldaho, electric oporations in Alaska, and gas distrJbution in Oregon. Although the cornpany operates in four states, WWw SIr{NnAR[Ail0POOllS C0i/t/llAr$m$Ofi rtl r, . 11.i; 1.i,..- rt ,:.i.f:,:..'r 'i i'1 il,ir.lr, i t .i t. : ,',r:i, ;i i t i:r i Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A JUNti 19,2tJ17 3 Page I of 42 ilutlook $tst'la &*rgmptl*na I{*y *la*dre Suntmon' : Artista (\ylt Washington and ldaho are the key revenue drivers, with Oregon and Alaska contributing less than lOYo of revenues on a combined basis. The custonter base of roughly 700,000 electric and gas customers has no meaningful industrial concentration and demonstrates average growth prospects- The company has material exposure to hydro-electric power (roughly 35% - 4A% of fuel supply mix), followed by gas-fired generation, both of which hetp to keep electricity prices competitive eompared with the naliooal average but dependence on hydro power introduce$ fuel replacernent risk in low water years, Recovery mechanisms are important to maintain operating cash flow after purchasing power for customers when hydroelectric generation is lower than expected, The company has an earnings mechanism in Washington subject to minimum thresholds and a deferral band which helps it recover excess power costs while absorbing a portion of the difference, The company also has a porffsr cost adjustment in ldaho. which allows 90% ofenergy cost differences to be deferred for future recovery. Purchased gas mechanisms for gas distribution units in all three gas jurisdictions, along with hedging, mitigate gas price risk. These regulatory mechanisms help avert large cost-adjustment requests and support the business risk pra{ile Decoupling rnechanisms smooth out operating cash flow in all jurisdictions except Alaska, Financial Risk; $ignificant Wb assess Avista's financial risk prolile as signiftcant using linancial ratio benchmarks that are more relaxed compared with those used for typical corporate issuers, given the mostly steady cash flow from regulated utility operations. Our base case indicates that eapital spending, along with dividend payments, will lead to negative discrettonary cash flolv' over the next few years, necessitating a reliance on extemal funding to pay for capital expenditures and dividends. Our base-case scenario suggests lower linancial measures over fhe next fwo years, including funds frorn operations (FFO) to debt of roughly 160/o - l8o/o, reflecting a rate increase denial in Wbshington earlier this year. The ftnancial measures, although lower than full year 2016 results, remain in the middle range o[ our significant financial risk profile for 20 t 7 and 2018. Importantly, our lorecasts indicate the company will need to get timely base rate recoveries to keep financial measures from slipping to the lower end of the financial profile (which may happen if rhey do not get the rate increases recently requested as part ofgeneral rate ca$ss in Washinglon and ldaho), Our base case indicates an expected supplemental ratio of operating cash flow to debt of about 15% to about l7%, supporting the significant financial risk pro{ile asses$ment. tiquidity: &d*quate Avista has an adequate liquidity assessment because in our view its sources are likely to cover uses by more than I.Ix over the nsxt l2 rnonths and to m€et cash outflows, even in the event of a l0% decline in EBITDA. The adequate assessnrent also reflects the company's generally prudent risk management, sound relationships with banks, and a generally satisfactory standing in credit markets. \&ww srAf{DA{rnANnFOf.}Rs roM/ilATrNfi sunr:01 JUNH 19, t0l7 4 Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A Page '10 of 42 . Cash FFO of about $355 million r RevolvinS credit facility of $400 million, r Debt maturities of roughly $110 million, including short term debt o Capital spending of about $410 million. Dividends of roughly $95 million. 0ther Cr*dit (unridmrati*ns Othermodifiers have no impact on the ra$ng outcome. ffroup lltf}$ens* Avista is subject to our group rating methodology criteria" We view Avista as the parent and driver of the corporate group" As a result, Avistab group and stand-alone credit profiles are the same at'bbb'. Ree*vcry Analyrls Avista's first-mortgage bonds benefit from a lirst-priority lien on substantially all of the utility's real property owned or subsequently acquired" Collateral coverage ofmore ihan l.5x supports a recovery rating of'1+'and an issue rating two notches above the issuer credit rating. lssue Ratirugs r We rate the preferred stock issued by Avista Capital Il two notches below the issuer credit rating to reflect the discretionary narure of the dividend and the deeply subordinated clalm if a bankruptcy occurs. r The short-term rating on Avista Corp. is'A-2'based on its issuer credit rating Related Criteria And Research Related Criteria . Criteria - Corporates - General: Methodology And Assumptions: Liquidity Descriptors For Global Corporate Issuers, Dec" 16,2014 o Criteria - Corporates - Utilities: Key Credit Factors For The Regulated Utilities Induslry, Nov. 19. 2013 r Criteria - Corporates - General: Colporate Methodology: Ratios And Adjustments, Nov. 19, 2013 r Ceneral Criteria: Methodology: lndustry Rish Nov. 19, 2013 . Ceneral Criteria: Country RiskAsse.ssment Methodology And Assumptions, Nov. 19, 2013 r General Criteria: Group Rating Methodology, Nov. 19, ?013 r Criteria - Corporate$ - General: Corporate Methodology, Nov. 19,2013 r General Criteria: Methodology For Linking Short-Term And Long-Term Ratings For Corporate, Insurance. And Sovereign trssuers, May 7,2013 WWW 5lANDAfioAN0P00HS IoM/IIAI lt'l6SDlR[tl i '1,,i' i I i :r .l!1, iti, rr..i? ,, I 'r.r!:. l' Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A JLINE re,2017 .5 Page 11 ol 42 Summtry: Avisto Corp. Fdn*ip*l l,.iquidity Ur*a Fair Sttrwnury: Arista Corp r Criteria - Corporates - Utilities: Collateral Coverage And Issue Notching Rules For'1+' And 'l' Recovery Ratings On Senior Bonds Secured By Utiliry Real Property, Feb, 14, 2013r Oeneral Criteria: Methodology: Managernent And Governance Credit Factors For Corporate Entities And lnsurers, Nov. I3,2012. General Criteria: Use Of CreditWatch And Outlooks, Sept. 14. 2009r Criteria - Insurance - General; Hybrid Capital Handbook September 2008 Edition, Sept. 15, 2008r Criteria - Corporates - Ceneral: 2008 Corporate Criteria: Rating Each Issue. April 15, 2008 F'inancial Risk Bucinear Risk Profils Highly leveraged Excellent bbb-/bb+ bb Satisfactory b+ W!ak Vulnerable bb-bb-bb-/b+b+ WWW tir ANUAtlt)/rtrt0p0nri$ fOM/iJAitNfi StllBf CT ,j Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A JLINli 19,2417 6 b b/b- b-b SigfiIfr*{ntMinimalModestlntermediare Aggressive aas/aa+aa a+ ls a-bbb bbtStronga+ /a tlh+aa/aa-a./bbb+ al a"bbb+bbb/bbb"bbb-/bb+bb bbb/bbb.bbb.bb+bb bb^ bb+bb+bb bb-b+ Page'12 oI 42 Bus'iuoss And Financial Ri6k Matrix CopFqkt 0 ?01 7 by $tandatd & Poor's [irlanctal Services l.t.C. All rrghts reseled ol the Cont6nl, 0r lor ths $edur(y or rcaintananco of arry data rnput by the user The Content is rrovided on *n "as is' bnsh. S&P PARTIIS OlSCtAlM ANY AND &t fxPfi[SS OB IMPI,|TI) WABRANTITS, INILUOINO, BUI NOT UMIIIO IO, ANY WAfiHANTIES OF MIRCHANTABIIITY OF !NNTSS TOff A PARTICUI,,AB PIJfiPt]ST OR USE, fBTEDOM rNAT']! NUSS, iOTTWNii TNNONS OH DETTCIS, I}IAT I HI CIINTTNT'S ruNCTIONINO WIII BT UNIN TIH8UPTTO OB TIIAT THT C(]NIiNI WII,I, OPTBATE WITH ANY n*gliqence, rn connectio$ with any use 0[ the Conl0nl even il advised of the possrhihty of such domagus S&P's opinions, analyses and ratrng acknowledgmant d*citrons |described belowlars nol remmmendations lo purcha$e, holtl. or sell any securalies o, t{ malo any assios{{leil, lvrthdrawol ur suspolsron 0f afi acknor.,'iedfmenl as wel, as Jny lultthty ltr any dar:raB0 atlsged lo have bmr, suffc{Dd on atcount thereol torrfidcnti*lity of ccrtain non"pubfuc rlormalrod teeeivsd n cotlnffilion with sich analytmai prmous i*fiumalron atrout ou[ raling6 fees rs arailatrle at www.standatdandpoffs.rolny'usratir,g$lees SIANDARO & p00R'S, 3&P and EAIINGSDIRECT aro regrsfersd kadumarts ol Slamlard & Puot's Frnancial Srrrvrres llC WVVW SIANOl\HDANBPOOf S IOMINATNGSOIRTCI ,t _!.1 .- JUNE 19,2017 7 Staff_PR_006(AVA)Attachment A Page 13 oI 42 $&P frt*bal Ratings HntinssBirect. R*search Update: Avista Corp. Rating Affirmed At'BBB' After Review; Outlook Stable Primary Credit Analyot: Gerrit W Jcpsen, CFA, New York lll212438-2529; gerritjepsen@spglobal.com Saccndory Conttct; Salina Ali, CIiA, New York (l) 212-438-1877; sahna.ali@spglobal.com Tahle Of Crntents Overview Rating Action Rationale Other Credit Considerations Group Influence Outlook Ratings Score Snapshot Recovery Analysis Related Criteria And Research Ratings List Wl,lfW SrAN{}A8l}AlllIril{NlS C{]MillAl lNll$tlifi t tll 1.:" i: I i,l.' MAY 26,20r6 r Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A Page 14 of 42 Research Update: Avista Corp. Rating Affirmed At 'BBB'After Review; Outlook Stable Overvisrr . We are affir:ming our crediL ratings on U.S. ineegrated eleccric and gas uLtlity Avista Corp. aft,er a revlew" Th€$e include the 'BBE, issuer crediL rating, lhe tA-' firet mortgage bond raEing with a recovery r:ating of '1+r. and Ehe 'A-tt short-term rating. We revised Ehe liquidity assessmenE Eo adequaEe from sgrong based on eurrenL estimates of uses sueh as capi.t.al. epending, debt maturiLies, short-Lerm borrowings, and dividend payments. The outlook remains sEable.r The stable ouulook reflects our expectation thaL Ehe company will conhinue to effectively manage regulatory riske, fund capital spending in a manner Lhaf does not meaningfully increase leveraEe, maintain adeguate S.iguidity, and maintaln comparable financial performance. We also expect no material increase in bueineee rlsk t.h!.ough expaneion lnbo nonuti).ity operaEione. Under our baee-case scenario, we expect funds from operatione to tot,al debt to average abouL 18*. R*ting Actinrr On May 25, 2OL6, S&P Global Raeings affirmed its racings on Avista Corp., including lhe rBBB' issuer cr:edlf r:aEing, Lhe 'A- t f irsf, mo!:Cgage b<lnd raling lrith a recovery racing of t1+r, and thetA*2t shorL Eerm rating. The outlook is st.able. In addiuion, we revised Ehe liquidity assessment Eo adequace from strong. Rationale In our asoessment, Avistats business risk profil"e ie etrong, reflect.ing ite lower-risk, vertically intsegrated electric and naEural gao dietribucion uEili.ty operations in Hashington and ldaho, electric operations in ALaska, and gas distrihution in Oregon. Although the corq)any operates in four saates, it has fewer bhan 400,000 electric and about 330,000 natural gas cuEtomers wlCh no meantngful i.ndusErial concentraE.ion. When needed, the util-ity reguests eost recovery from regu)"aEor6. Becauee t.he uLiliLy has hydroelectrie power exl]osure. recovery mechanisme are importanE lo maintain operaEing cash flovr after purchaslng power for customers rrrheu hydroelectric generatlon is unavailable. The company has some flexibilify in implemenLing incremenLal rate changes tshrough iEs energy-recovery mechani.sm tn Washington and ehe power cnet adJustment in ldaho, but the yeeovery of excess power costs is subjece to mj.nimum threshalds and deferral bands. Purchased gas adjustmenrs for gas distrihution units in al1 fhree gas juriadicLions, along with hedglrl9, $ll,vw $IAilnAHnANDr'0Ons {:0M/ltATrN6s$rB[c] :1"' Staff_P R_006(AVA) Aft achment A MAY 2ri,1016 2 Page 15 ot 42 Rese*rcb Upclate: Auista Corp, llatixg Affirrted A,t 'BBll' A{ter Reuiew; Authak Stahlt mitigat.e ga6 prlce risk. ?hese he)-p averE large cost-adjustrnenf, requests and EupporL Lhe business risk profile. oecouplinE mechanisms smooEh out operaeing cash fLaw in a}l juris,dlction$ exceptr .A,laska. our financial risk profile aeBessment of eignificarlt. takes into consideration the most).y steady cash flows from the ut.ility business. Our baae case lndlcaLes Ehat capibal spending aloag with dividend payments witl ]ead to negaEive diseret.ionary caeh flow over the next few yeare. Avisu"a will need external funding to cover the deficit because inrernally generated cash flow is insufficient. Our base-case scenario suggesLs str<:nger financial neasures over Lhe next t'wo years, including funds from operatione (FFO) to debt. of roughly 18*, matnly benefiting from higher deferred taxe6 due to bonus depreciation. Our base case indicates an expected rupplemental raLlo of operaLing cash flow ro debt of abouL 1^6t to abouL Lgt, bolseering the eignlfieanL financjal risk profile aosesenent. Uquidity AwisLa has an adequate fiquidiEy assessment because in our vJew its fiources are likely to eover uses by more than l.Ix over the next 12 monLhs and to meol cash outfl-owa, even vrlth a 10t decline in EBITDA. rhe adequaLe as$essmenf alsc) reflectE the company's generally prudenE risk managemenr, sound rel-at,ionships wtth banks, and a generally saListacborl, sranding in credir. markets. AvigLa recenLly extended the maEur"ity of its credit facilities Lo 2021. Principal liquidity sources: r We esr,i.maEe FFo of about $350 million for the 12 monLhs ending March 31, 2017.r Revolving credic facility of $425 million.I Ca6h on hand of r:oughly $10 millton. Principal liquidity uses: . CapiEal spending of about $350 million for bhe 1-2 months ending March 31, 201,7. e Dividends of roughly $85 miLl"ion for the IU months ending Mar.ch 31, 2Ol7.r DebL maturit.ies of about $195 mi11ion, including short-tern borrowinga. We fate the preferred securities at Avista Capltal II f,wo noEches below the issuer credit rating eo reflect the discretionary nature of tlre dJvidend and the deeply subordinated c1aim if a bankruptcy occurs, The shorts*term rahing an AvisEa is 'A-?' based on the issuer credit r:ating and our assessment, of its liguidity ae Bt least, adequate. Other Credit Csnsiderations Other modifiers do not affecE, the rating outcome. WWW STANNAfiNANOPONSS.[OM/RA]IN$SOIRI CI t:,:i i :..: " :;,t .1,',i i;. ,i,lj i:::iirr I'i,i ,:, l:iit. i.lti .at. tt l, it;.,1!'ll:i Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A MAY 26,2016 3 Page 16 oi 42 ., I 1 Researth Ulrclatt:: Auista Carlt. Ratiirg Affirunrd A, 'IltsB' Afttr Reuiew; ClrrtlooA Stcfi/e Gr*up Influenee Avist,a is subject to Ehe group rating meEhodol^ogy criteria. We view Avista as Ehe parenf, Ehat drivee Ehe group crediE profj.le. As a resull, AvieL.a'a group and stand-alone crediE profl).es are the same aL rbbb'. Sutlsok The stable oublook on Avista reflecUs our expectation that over rhe next two years the company will contlnue to effecE.ively manage regu}atory r-iske, fund caplt.aL spending such Ehat }everage does not meaningfully increaee, preserve adequaEe liguidity, and maintain cornparable financjal perfor:mance- We also expect no maLerial increase in business risk Ehrough expansion into nonutilify operations. under our base-case scenarlo, we expecL FFo to totsal debt to average about 188. Downside $cenario We could lower the ratlng in the next Ewo years if business risk maEertally rises or credit measures dimihish such thab FFO t.o debt would be consisLenEly ]ess Ehan 15t. lhis could occur due to greater borrowinE or i-ncreased rate lag, a large deferral, or adverse regnrlatory decisions. Upside Bcenario fn the next two years, we do not currently contemplat.e an upgrade given t.he companyis current busi"nese rnix. Credit guality could strengthen if cash flow {neasures considerably improve, speciflcally FFO to debt of more than 20t on a coneistent basis. The company could accomplish this by paying down debt with higher internally generated cash flnw or increased eguity, or by boosting FFo r^,ithout adding debf . Ratings Scorc Snapshot Corporate Credit RaEingr BBBlstabl.e/A-Z Business rigk; glrong . Country risk: Very low . rndustry risk: very 1o\{. CompeLitive position: satisfaclory Financial riskr signifieant r Cash flow/l,everage: Significant Anchor: rbbbt Modl f i ers www $TANnAfi BANDfflrmS [:(MIRAT rNlisnfi 0il ' r,l, . ,i e{AY 26, 2016 4 Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A Page 17 ol 42 Research Updctt: A,vista Corl. Rnrirg Af{inued At '}llB' Afte.r Reuiew; Ortloo[ S*rble r Diversification/PorEfolio effect: Neutral (no impact)r Capital sEructure: Neutral (no impacr) . Financial policy: Neutral (no lnpacL) . tiguidiLy: Adequate {no impact) I Management and gover[anee: Saeisfaetory (no impacl]. Comparable rating anal"ysisr Neutral (no impaeL) SEand-alone crediE profile: 'bbblr Group credit profile: 'bbb' Recovery Analysis AvisEa'e first morLgage bonds benefit from a flrst-priority lien on subsLanLially all. of the ut.llityrs real- property owned or eubeequently aequtred. Col]aLeral coveraEe of rnore than 1,5x EupporLB a reco\irery rating of '1^+' and an ieeue rating two notcfiee above the issuer credit rating, Related Crit*ri* And ft*senreh o Methodol.ogy And AsgurnptJ,ons: Liguidicy Deecr"iptors For Global CorporaE.e Issuers, Dec, 16, 2AL4. CounE!:y Risk Assesgment Methodology And AssumpLions, Nov. 19, 2013. Group Rating MethodologY, Nov. 19r 2013. I(€y Credlt FacEors For The Regulaued UEilitieo lndustry, Nov- 19, 2013 . eorporare Methodology, Nov. 19, 2013 . Corpof,:aEe Methodology: RaEios And Adjustments, No1/. 19, 2013 . Methodology; Industry Risk, Nov" 19, 2013 o Meu.hodol"ogy For Linking short-ferm And Long-Tezm Racing6 For CorporaEe, Insurance, And Sovereign Issuers, May 7, 2013 r Col1ateral, Cover:age And Issue Notching Ru1es Por 'l+' And '1' Recovery Raclnge on Senior Bond$ Secured By utility Real Properiy, Feb. 14,2013 . !*lanagement And Governance Credit Faetor6 For Carporat,e EntiLies And f nsurers, Nov. 13, 2.01? r Gener.al. Criteriar Uee Of CreditWatch And Outlooks, sept. 14, 2009 r Hybrld Capibal Handbook: September 2008 Edicion, sept. 15, 2008. 2008 Corporate Criteria: Rati,ng Each lssue, April 15, 20AB fi.atings List Ratj.ngs Affirmed Avista Corp- Corporate C:'ediL Ratlng Senior Secured Ratj.ng Recovery Rating WWW SIANtlAITI)AIIOPOORS COMAATIN6SNIfi,ICI .. i. ., .' j."' '., .:. 1.:it.::: t ii,,,,,.'.!,=- .", t.. \ t:;i ;'':a Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A BBB/Srable/A-2 1+ CerEai$ term6 used in this report, particularly cerLaln adjecttves used to expregs our vielr on rating relevant faetorc, have epecific meaninge ascribed MAY ]6,2016 .5 Page 18 ol 42 Rcse<rrrlr Llpdate: Auista Corp, Rafiug Affirmed At 'BBB' After S.ctiett': Outl,Li.tk Stullle to them in our criLeria, and shou1d t,herefore be read in conjunction with such criEeria. Please see Ratings CriEeria at www.sEandardandpoors.com for fur:ther informat.jon. CompleLe rati.ngs information is availab1e Eo subscribere of RatingsDlrect at wwr*,globalcreditportal.eom and at www,spcapi.tal1g.com. A11 rat,ings affecEed by this r:ating action can be found on the S&P Global" Raeings pubLic websiEe at www.st,andardandpooli$.com. Use Ehe RaLi.ngs searsh box located in the left column. I,VIVW STANOARLIANnPfl 0nS mltulillAlll,165LllBICI IVIAY 26, 2016 6 ', ..j. , t.jt ',. ';', ,. r.l.:i.r:, Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A Page 19 of42 I Copynght O 2017 by Standard & Poor's f noncial Servims LIC All tighls reserved OB IMPI.IIO WARRANTIIS, IN[I.UOIN6. BUT N()T IIM O IO, ANY WAfifiA}'TItS OF MTRCHANTABIIIIY ON TJ'INISS T()N A PARTICUI.AR PUBPOSE ON UST" T8f[DOM rE0M SUGS. S0rTl{AR[ [:ER0RS 0R O€FECIS. IHAI ltl[ g0NrtNI'S rUN[Il0NlNC WltL Bt Ul,ltNItHffUm[0 0n THAT THE C0NTINT Wtl 0PtRA'l[ WTH ANY negligsncof in conncctiun w{i asy urie ut lhs Conlefi evsn il sdvi$od 0f the possrb,lily ol such dafiiagos. S&P's oprnrons, aulyses and ratrng ackoowledgmed dacitions {descnbcd below} are nol recommendatror}s to purchase. h0ld, or sell any $ecurili8s 0r l0 r*a[€ aoy sources it belioves to be rahable, S&P doer not perform an audrt and undsfinker no dulv ot due dihgen(e or ndependcilt verilcanon ol any rnlormation lt recetvos cadr&Flialil,N, $, rofl;ltr n0n'prtdic rnfatmalirn rdceived n corlRe.fli0n wrth sach analylical procass. filormaliofl aho,,rl our rrtlnqs fEBr is svaildble El wl/vrv,standardandp0or$.rom/usralrngsfeas. SIAN0AHD & m0f{S, 5&P anrl ffATINGS0IHICI ore regrstered trademarks ol Standard & Poor'$ trnarcialSsrvi*s ltC www sIANGARnANDr00nS,toMltiAllN$snrRrcl '1, :..,:, il i...i:i: ir ii tri1i.,;, :;ii iiir;lij,l ;:ri MAY f5, 201(r 7 .. i ,i ,,. , i l. i)1 :;, Staff_PR_006(AVA)Attachment A Page 20 ot 42 @ s $TANtlAHt)&p00R's, RATTNGS STRVTCES HcGRAW HItL FIilAT{CIAT H*ting*$irsrt. Summary: Avista Corp. Prirnary Clc.tit Analyst: Cerrit W Jepsen, CFA, New York (l) 212-438-2529; gerritjepsen@standardandpoors.com Secondary Contastl Matthew L O'Neill, New York (U 2I2'438-4295; matthcwoneill@standardandpoors,com Table Of fontents Rationale 0utlook Standard & Poor's Base-Case Scenario Business Rlsk Financial Risk Liquidity Other Credit Considerati ons Group Influence Ratings Score Snapshot Recovery Analysis Issue Ratings Related Criteria And Researeh TYWS. ETAJTDANDATDPOONS. COXI / E.I'TTTOSDInE C? t[n$ ?9d* P].spAx** srelu$IvlLy f1]& t{sf* *tfift asrd$1'$$B{.; x1,t s.)* n.Bsffir{t3u"rr0ra uxlun$ o?rip-*$-rsr rs*&l'ryf, s Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A ilAY 19, ZOIS I Page2l ol42 Sumrmary Avista Corp. Burincsr triek $Tn$N*.{} Vulnerable Exeellcnt Financlal RisI: $l&rollrlcAt*T o Highly leveraged Minimol Katiorale bbb s hhb {} bb& s CORPORAIE CREDIT RAT1NG BBB/Stable./A-2 Anchor Modifiers Group/Gov\ r fugulated v*rfic*lly intesrated electric and narural gas distribution utill ty. * GeagrapNc and operationa! divenlty but larggly Washi*gton focrrs,r tligher trydroele*tric power u$e. r Regulatory meehanisms provide cash flow stebiliry when pu.rchasing power during low water periodx. lyUI.lV. STA!{DAND*ITDPOORi. CO'IT/ RATIXOSDInECT 'r**I$ Wfr$ lS,{9,&8{i} f3t-tt3$t$AtY ,'0* Xt$Xt, $rxe }\&lvl9Tri{rf{i. r Hlev*ted cspltal *pending ov6r the next few years. r Negatively ditrretionary cssh flnrv aft*r dividcnds. r Consistent acee$$ to capital markets ro fund cxpital spendi*g. r A ostroRg" liquidity position thnt provides the utility a cushion due ts its hydroeleerric pfilrer use. t[AY t9, rolE z ,*$Y r{}fi ,$itlr$iTl{r&u'r}{}!{ $HLrrit Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment sYtiatl#.t$r, pG*rtrrf 3s. A Page 22 of 42 I&**inx**,*l*li. St&ng Stnnu**sl Riqk $lgatfi *e*t 1 1 Sunmury: Avista (|<trP. Tho stable outlook on Avista Corp. reflects our expectation aver the next two yearu lhat the company will continue to e{Iectively manage regulatory risks, fund capital spending in a mirtnar that does not meaningfully increase Ieverage, preserve adequate liquidity, and maintain comparahle tinsncial pertorrnanc*. Under our ba$e-case scenario we expect funde fium operarions {FFO} to tota} debt to *veragr abrut 16%. Downside scenario We could lower the rating in the rext t'rry$ ye6r* if businer* rjsk ri'elt to nraterially rise or eredit measure$ dimini*h such &at FFO to debt would be conr.istently below l3%. This could occur *s a re*ult of greater borrowing or increased rate lag, a large deferral, or advarse rcgulatory derisirns. Upside seenario In the next tvro years, we do not currenlly conternplate an upgrade given ttre company's current br"l*inesr mix and it* fncux nn regulated oper&tions. Credit quality could strrngfhen if ca*h flow m*asur*s considerahly irnpruv*" *p*uilkally FFO to drbt of nrore than 13% on a sueh*ined basie lrr additisn" w* would expeft debt to EEITDA of lese thsn 3.Sx. The cornpany can accomplish thie by paying down debt with higher intrrnally generated carh f1ow, increased equity issuanca$, or arset d.ispositions. Standard & Poor's Base-Case $cenari* o Average capital spending of $360 million in 2015 and declining to $350 million for 2016. r Dividends of roughly $85 million per year over the forecasted period. r Regular recovery of electric and gas rates through respective surcharges. r Average operation and maintenance expenses consistent with historical levels. r Negative discretionary cash flow indicating external funding needs. 20raA l0l5E 20168 FFo/total deh f/o) 20.8 14.2-15.5 I5.7-16.5 DcbI/EBITDA (x) 4.5 4.2-4.6 3.8-4 2 ocF/toral debt {%) ?,4 I7-t8.5 17-18.5 Note: Standard & Poor's adjusted frgures. A-Actual. E-Estimate. FFO-Funds from operations, OCF-Operating cash flow. Bu$inxss ldisk; $trrng ln our assessment, Avista's business risk profile is "strong" based on what we consider the utility's "sarisfactory" competitive position, "very loW induotry risk of the regulated utility industry. and "very low' country ri$t of the U.S. where the company operates. The company's compet'itive position incorporates itp vertically integrated electric and natural gas distribution utility operations in Washington and ldaho, eleetric operations in Alaska, and gas distribution urww.srAxDanDAltDPoons,coil /narItsGSDInEcr 'rxr$ grnf [,BxfAxr] Hxtluslvxl.Y toJl tr$tn $lEt na!{rYn$il$. I{AY lo, tot5 3 lrsr r(tR Bff,rsTxrSrlftoil uxttfs Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attach ment a?xttwrcr rf,*xry?ro.A Page 23 ol 42 CIutlcok $tabls &**umpticn*K*yhft*tri** Surwury: Auista Corp. Ftnancial Risk $ignifi e*nt We base our tinancial risk proiile assessment of "signi{icant' on the medial volatility financial ratio benchmarks. Our assessment takes into consideration the mostly steady cash flows from the utiliry business. Our base case indicates that capital spending along with dividend payrnents will lead to negative discretionary cash flqw over the next few years. Exernal lunding will be needed to cover the delicit since tnternally generated cash {low is insufficient. Our base-case scenario suggests mostly steady key credit measures for the next several years. including FFO to debt from about 14% to 160/o. Our base case indicates thai the supplemental ratio of operating cash flow to debt is expected to range from about lTYo to about 18.5%, bolstering the 'significant" financial risk profile a$sessment. Liquidity: Strong Avista has "strong" liquidity as our criteria define the term. We believe the company's liquidity sources are likely to cover its uses by more than l.5x over the next 12 months and rernain above lx over the subsequent 12 months. We expect the company to meet cash outflows even with a 30% decline in EBITDA, r We estimate FFO of about $280 million in 2015 and 53l0 million in 2016. r Revolving credit facility of $425 million in 20i5 and 2016. Sther Credit Consideretifrn$ Other modihers have no impact on the rating outcome. www,&lAxt tntlAlrDloong.coli[/nATrHGssInEcT T'trs w$s faxp*r(s.f, xxcitl$I*f rY ri${ us$r {.,r4s ARlli$'r(s!*rr. H$'r t {}s *B Brsyltt$trfl{r}i $}a Lrgs {}'r}{tr}ulr$ }f $!{*??€fi - Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A . Capitsl spending of about $360 rnillion in 2015 and $350 million in 2016. r Dividends of roughly $85 million per yeflr in 201 5 and 2016. EAr lgr 3016 t Page 24 ot 42 in Oregon. Although the company operates irr four states, it has fewer than 400,000 electric and about 330,000 natural gas customers with no meaningful industrial concentration. When needed. the utility requests through the regulatory process to recover costs. Since the utility has hydroelectric power exposure, recovery mechanisms are important to mitigate the need to purchase power for customers when the hydro power is unavaitable. The company has some flexibility in implementing incremental rate changes through its energy recovery mechanism in Washington and the porver cost adjustment in ldaho, but the recovery of excess power costs in Washington is more restrictive with minimum thresholds and deferral bands. Purchased gas adjustments for gas distribution units in all three gas jurisdictions, along with hedging, mitigate gas supply risk. We view these as important in avrrting large cost adjustment requests and support the business ritk profile. Frlnelpcl tiquidity Ssurca$Principrl Liquidity Uoes I I Sttmmary; Auista Cot1t. Group Influence Avista is subject to the group rating methodology criteria. We view Avista as the parent that is also the driver of the group credit protile. As a result, Avi$ta's group and stand-alone credit profiles are the same at'bbb'. Ratings $ccre Snapshot Corporate Credit Rating BBB/Stable/A-2 Businem risk: Strong r Country risk Very low r Industry rlsk Very low r Competitive position: Satisfactory Financial risk Significant o Cash Ilow/Leverage: Significant Anchor: bbb Modifiers r Diversification/Portfolio effectr Neutral (no impact) r Capital structure: Neutral (no impact) r Financial policy: Neutral (no impact) e Uquidity: Strong (no impact) o Management and governance: Satisfactory (no impact) r Comparable rating analysis: Neutral (no impact) Stand-alone credit profile : bbb r Group credit proftle: bbb R***very Analysis r Avista's first mortgage bonds benef* from a first-priorig lien on substantially all of the utility's rgal property owned or subsequently acquired" Collateral coverageofmore than 1.5x supports a recovery rating of'l+'and an issue rating two notches above the issuer credit rating. Ix*us f{ating* r We rate the preferred stock two notches below the issuer credit rating to reflect the discretiunary nature of the dividend and the deeply subordinated clairn if a bankruptcy occurs. Wllrw. $?AtrDANDAUI'?OORS.CODI / IATII{OSI'IBE CT Ttrt$ wAs pnf,rAaus rItLUstvt.LY for usf,n orxn, liBsT*ono. rroT rfl*. *trarft*rBrrTlox uilf,$s tlt$f,*tiltf, rf;xrn|TTEa. Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A IEAY tg,3015 6 Page 25 ol 42 Su rnlrt it t1, : A t, i sttt Oar p. Related Criteria And Researrh Related Criteria . Criteria - Corporates - General Methodology And Assumptions: Liquidity Descriptors For Global Corporate Issuers, Dec" 16.2014 r Criteria - Corporates - Utifities: Key Credit Factors For The Regulated Utiliti€s Industry Nov. lg, 2013r Criteria - Corporates - Ceneral: Corporate Methodology: Ratios And Adjustments, Nov. 19, 2013 r General Criteria; Methodology: Industry Risk, Nov. 19, 2013 . Criteria - Corporates - General Corporate Methodology, Nov, 19, 2013 . General Criteria: Methodology For Ltnking Short-Term And Long-Term Ratings For Corporate, Insurancq And Sovereign Issuers, May 7, 2013 r Criteria * Corporates - Utilities: Collateral Coverage And lssue Notching Rules For'1+'And '1'Recovery Ratings On Senior Bonds Secured By Utility Real Property, Feb. 14, 2013 r General Criteria: Methodology: Management And Governance Credit Factors For Corporate Entities And lnsurer$, Nov. 13,2012r Criteria - Corporates - Ceneral 2008 Corporate Criteria: Rating Each Issue, April 15. 2008 Financial Risk Profile Busin*ra RieL Profile Highly leveraged fixcellent bbb-/bb+ Satisfactory Weak Vulhereble bb-bb-bb-/b+b+ ITll/U. STATIDAIIDAHDTOONS.CO}l / NATIIIO,$DIRE CT ?$ls wa* r&f}'s&f;s xxglrrstlrsLY rslt $grx stflA *nsil$'rxoxtt. *s? troB &.f.sl*?&rslr?t&}I $rt{.sE (yr$Exrrllf rlifir6r??ao. Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A trIAY t0, t0t5 0 bt b+ Fair b h/b" b-b $igri6cantMinimalModestIntermediate Aggressive aaa/a +a0 u+ /a a-bbb $trong bb,bEalss-a+ ls a-lbbb+btl+ a/ a^bbb+bbb/bbb-bbb./bb+bb bbb/bbb-bbb-bb+bb bb- bh+bb+bb bb.b+ Page 26 ol 42 r The short-tern raiing on Avista is 'A-2'based on the issuer credit rating and our assessment of its liquidity as at least adequate. Burincss And Sinrnsinl tixlc l$rtrix Copyrrghl O20t7 tty Stantlarrl & Pr:of s Frnsnciill Servrres [tC. All nghts retcrved. ,nodi,irld, rowrss sr)gmoered. rcproduced 0r distnhltsd io any {orm fu any means. cr storod rn a datahasr rr rerrisval system, wrthour tho prior writlen pomisston 0l ol ths Contsnt, or lor the sccunty or maintanarce ol arry data flpul by lhe $ser. The f,ontent is provrded or arr "ss is' basrs. S&P PAm,IS 0]SCLAIM ANY ANo AtL tXmESS ofr lMPLl[0 WARRANTIS, lNct.U0ltl6, ffUT N0I tlMlT[o T0, ANY WAfiRANTIrS 0r MmChANIABIIIIY 0B rl]Nf SS ron A PARIICUI.AR fuBPoS[ 0B USf , rnf t.DoM rfiOM 8UGS, SOM,VABE EB8OBS OR O[TT[IS, THAT THT CONIFNT'S FUNCIIONING Wt.{ BT UNNITSRUMIN OR II]AT TH( CONITNT Wtl OPERATI MIH ANY S0nWARt of HARDWAHT C0Nf6[rFATl0N ln no event shall S&PParric$ he liabl0 l0 any party {or ar:y direrl, in{jtrect. ifdijental, eremplary. uornpenlet0ry. punrttve. neghgorra) in cu*neetorr with any ure of thc ConEnl even il dvised 0l the possittility o[ such darnages. S&P's opinions. analy$6s and ratin$ actnowlsdgmenl decisions {dsscribed below} arg ,r0( recommendalrons {0 purchase. hold, 0r sell any secsritres 0r l0 maks any ssur(ss rl behe*es to bs raliable, S&Pdoae notpertorm an audit and undortales no dutyofdue dilgence or rnrlapendontvarificalron ol any rnlormalion i( re€aives assrgnrnent, wi$drawal 0r suspe*sron ol an acknowledgrnefil as well as any tiahrlity for dry dafiage alle0ed t0 hBve tle8n ru{{sred 00 accirufl thBreol c0ntrdorrtitlily 0t (e{tain nonlufulrt rrrfornratmil tecsi!'ed in L'0n0efli0n wrth eslh flrralylicai procuss. mlormalmn about rrur rolings fecE is {vailable sl rirww.slandardandpo0rs"com/:usralirgslecr SII\llOABfl & F00B'S, S&P and RATIN6S0IB[f,1 ara regislorad trademarks ol Stondard & Poois ftnancial $nrvicss tl"C www" $ti,t{DtnDru[Droon8,c olr / f, Arl rosDIIf, cr Tt{r} sai }aE}3}rt.$ *xcl,ttit}rxls ?sx t $Bx ollt* tt}rrf}oxs. x{}T r&n nf,$*s"rrttuyr&ra $,al.rfg ott tigtf[ ftE]etfti0 Staff_P R_006(AVA) Attachment A rtAY lt,10ti 7 Page27 of 42 M*onv's INVESTORS SENVICE Rating Action: Moody's Afflrme Avlsta Corp, at &*a"l; Sutlook $table Global Credit Research - 19 Jul 2017 Approxlmately $1.5 Ellllon of Dabt Securities Affected New York, July 19, 2017 -- Moody's lnveslors Service, ("Moody's") affirmed the ratings of Avisla Corp., including its Baal long-term issuer rating (see debt list below), following its announced agreement to be acquired by the Canadian electric utility Hydro One, Lld. (HOL unrated). The outlook ls stable.. Outlook Actions; ..lssuer: Avista Corp, .-.,Oullook, Remains Stable Affirmations: ..lssuer: Avista Corp. .... lssuer Rating, Affirmed Baal ....Multiple Seniority Mediurn-Term Note Program, A$irned {P)AZ ....Senior Secured Medium-Term Notes, Affirmed 42 ....Senior Secured First Monsage Bonds, Affirmed A2 ....Senior Secured Medium:Term Note Program, Atrirmed (P)A2 ....Senior Unsecured Medium-Term Note Program, Aflirmed (P)Baal RATINGS RATIONALE 'The affirmation of Avista's ralings reflecls our understanding thal the acquisition debt, lo be issued by Hydm One, Ltd.. will be a direcl obligation of the larger, more divsr$o Canadian holding company and shsuld not affecl Avista's slandalone financial profile" said Vice President Ryan Wobbrock. On 19 July, HOL announced it had reached an agreement to acquira Avista Corp. for $53 per share in a $5,3 billion all-cash lransaction, including the assumption of roughly $1.9 billion of Avisla reported debt. The $53 per share purchase price repr€senls a premium of around 24a/o lo Avista's 18 July closing price. HOL has indicated that part of lh6 transaction financing will include the issuance of nearly $2.6 billion of HOL debt and about CADI .4 billion of contingonl convertible dsbentures. Moody's expects thal the transaction debt will be issuad directly by HOL, a much larger holding company, and that it will not materially change Avista's financial or leverage melrics, Moody's also assumes that there will be no significant change l,o Avista's regulated capital struclure and dividend policy, As such, we believe that HOL's ownership will be credit neutral, based on current assumptions. The acquisilion ls sublect to the approval ol Avista shareholders, various US state utitity regulatory commissions (i.e,, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Gommission, the Oregon Public Utilities Commission, the ldaho Public Utilities Commission, the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, aild the Montana Public Service Commission), lhe Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, among others, and in compliance wilh the Ha(-Scott-Rodino Act. Avista's Baal senior unsecured rating and stable oullook reflects its primary business as a low-risk vertically integrated eleclric and gas utility with supportive cost recovery mechanisms, such as electric and gas revenue decoupling. Recent adverse regulatory events in Washinglon, Avista's primary jurisdiction, create som6 uncerlainty for the company going forward, but Avista's financial prcfilo can provide cushion to offset any neqative effects over thg next 12-18 months. Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A Page 28 oi 42 i i Rating Outlook The stabte rating outlook reflects our view that the pending acquisition by HOL will not materially affect the credit quality of Avista. The outlook also incorporates a view that Avista will continue to benefit from reasonably credit supportive regulation in its jurisdictions. especially its primary jurisdiction of Washington. Factors that Could Lead to an Upgrade The ratings for Avista could be upgraded if regulatory relationships in Washington improve and the company is able to produce cash flow to debt metrics above 219o on a sustained basis, without the benefits from one-lime adjustmBnts or temporary tax benefits. Factors that Could Lead to a Downgrade Avisla's ratings could considerod for downgrade if lete credit suppo{ive regulalcry relalionships rnaterializs over a sustained period of time or if cash flow to debt metrics wero lo fall to 17Yo on a consistent basis, Also, if the contribution of Avista's unregulated business were to increase significantly or its dividend payout increased meaningfully to support the new parent company's acquisition debt. The principal methodology used in these ratings was Regulated Electric and Gas Utililies published in June 2017. Please see lhe Rating Melhodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy ol this methodology. REGULATORY DISOLO8URES For ratings issued on a program, saries or category/class of debt, this announcement provides certain regulaiory disclosures in relation to each rating of a subseguently issued bond or note of the same series or category/class of debt or pursuant to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices, For ratings issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the credit rating action on the support provider and in relation to each parlicular credit rating action for sacuritiss that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcemant provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each case where the transactioil structure and terms have not changed prior to the assignment of the de$nitiva rating in a manner lhat would have affecled tle rating. For further inlormation please see lh€ ratings tab on the lssuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys"com. For any affected socurities or raled entities receiving direct credit suppo( from the primary entity(ies) of this credit rating action, and whose ratings rnay change as a result of this credit rating action, the associated regulatory disclosures will be those of the guarantor entity. Exceptions to this approach exist for the following disclosures, if applicable to jurtsdiction: Ancillary Services, Disclosure to rated entity, Disclosure from raled entity, Regulatory disclosures conlained in this press releaso apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the relatod rating outlook or rating review, Please sse wrrw,moodys.com for any updates on ehanges to the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entaty that has issued the rating. Plsaso see lhe ratlngs tab on the is$uer/Bntity page on www.moodys.corn for additional regulalory disclosures for each credit rating- Ryan Wobbrock Vice President - Senior Analysl lnfrastructure Finance Group Moody's lnvestors Service, lnc, 250 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 u.s.A. JOURNALIST$: 1 212 553 0376 Cllent Service:1212 553 1653 Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A Page 29 ol 42 I Jim Hempstead MD - Utilitles lnfra$tructuro Finance Group JOURNALISTS: 1 21? 553 0376 Client Service:1212 553 1653 Releasing 0ftice: Moody's lnvostors $ervice, lnc. 250 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 U.S.A. JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service:1212 553 1653 Moonv's INVESTORS STRVICI CI 2017 Moody's Corporation, Moody's lnvestors Service, lnc., Moody's Analytics, lnc. and/or their licensors and affiliates (collectively, "MOODY'S"). All rights reserved. CREDIT RATINGS ISSUEO BY MOOSYS INVESTOR$ SERVICE,INC. AND ITS RATIHGS AFFILTATES ('MIS") ARE MOOaIY'S CURRENT OPltillONS oF THE RELATIVE FUTURE CREDIT RISI( OF EI{TITIES, CREDN COMiJIITMENTS, OR DEBT OR DEBT.LIKE SEGURITIES, AND MOODY'S PUBLICATIONS MAY INCLUOE MOODY's CURRENT OPINIONS OF THE RELATTVE FUTURE CRED]T R}SK OF ENNTES, CREDIT COITIITiITMENTS, OR DEBT OR DEBT.LIKE SECURMES. MOODY'S DEFINES CREDIT RISK AS THE RISK THAT AN ENTITY MAY NOT MEET ITS CONTRACTUAI" FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS AS THEY COME DUE ANO ANY ESTIMATED FINANCIAL LOSS IN THE EVET'IT OF DEFAULT. CREDIT RATINGS DO NOT ADDRESS ANY OTHER RISK, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO; LIOUIDITY RISK, MARKET VALUE RISK, OR PRTCE VOLATILITY. CREDIT RATINGS AND MOODY'S OPINIONS INGLUDED IN IT'IOODY'S PUBLICATIONS ARE HOT STATEMENTS OF CURRENT OR HISTORICAL FACT. MOODY'S PUBLICATIONS [,IAYALSO IHCLUDE QUANTITATTVE MOOEL€ASED ESTIMATES OF CREDIT RISX AND RELATEO OPINIONS OR COMMENTARY PUBL]SHED BY MOODY'S ANALYTICS, INC. CREDIT RATINGS AND MOODY'S PUBLICATIONS DO HOT CONSTITUTE OR PROVIDE INVESTMEI{T OR FINANCIAL AOVICE, AND CREDIT RATINGS AND MOODY'S PUBLICATIONS ARE NO? AND DO NOT PROVIDE RECOMITIENDATIONS TO PURCHASE, SELL, OR HOLD FARTICULAR SECURITTES. NEITHER CREDIT RATINGS NOR MOODY'S PUBLICATIONS COITIMENT ON THE SUITABILITY OF AN INVESTMENT FOR ANY PARTICULAR INVESTOR. 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IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN ANY FORM OR MANNER OR BY ANY MEANS WHATSOEVER, BY ANY PERSON WITHOUT MOODY'S PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT. All information contained herein is obtained by MOODY'S frorn sources believed by it to be accurate and reliable. Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error as well as other faclors, however, all information contained hsrein is provided .AS lS" without warranty ol any kind. MOODY'S adopts all necessary measures so lhat the infonnation il uses in assigning a crodil rating is of sufficient quality and from sources Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A Page 30 of 42 Il I I 1 MOODY'S considers to be reliabla including, when appropriate, independent third-party sources. However, MOODYS is not an auditor and cannot in every instanco lndependenlly verify or validate information receivsd in the rati*g process or in preparing the Moody's publications, To the extent permitted by law, MOODY'S and its directors, officers, ernployees, agents, representatives, licensors and suppliers disclaim liability to any person or entig for any indirecl, special, consequenlial, or incidental losses or damages whatsoever arising from or in conneclion with the inlormation contained herein or the use of or insbilily to use any such inforrnation, even if MOODY'S ar any of its directors, officers, employaes, agenls, represrntalives, licensors or suppliers is advised in advance of the possibility of such losses or damages, including but not limited to: (a) any loss of present or prospective profits or (b) any loss or damage arising where the relevant financial instrument is not the subject of a particular credit rating assigned by M00DY'S. 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MOODY'S credit rating is an opinion as to the credit$rorthiness of a debt obligation of the issuer, not on the equity securities of lhe issuer or any form oF security that is avallable to retail investors. ll would be reckless and inappropriate for retail investors to use MOODY'S credit ratings or publications when making an investment decision. tf in doubt you should conlact your financial or other professional adviser. Additional tenns for Japan only: Moody's Japan K.K, ('MJKK") is a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of Moody's Group Japan G.K., which is wholly-owned by Moody's Overseas Holdings Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCO. Moody's SF Japan K.K, (-MSFJ) is a whollpowned credit rating agency subsidiary ol MJKK, MSFJ is not a Nationally Rocognized Statistical Rating Organization ("NRSRO'). Therefore, credit ratings assigned by MSFJ are Non-NRSR0 Credit Ratings. Non-NRSRO Credit Ratings are assigned by an sntity that is not a NRSRO and, conseguently, the rated obligalion will not qualily for certain types of lreatment undor U.S. laws. MJKK and MSFJ are credit rating agencies registored wilh the Japan Financial Services Agency and their registration nurnbers are FSA Commissioner (Ratings) No. 2 and 3 respectively. MJXI( or MSFJ (as applicable) hereby disclose that most issuers of debt securitres (including corporate and municipal bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper) and preferred stock rated by MJKK or MSFJ (as Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A Page3l o142 to MJKK and MSFJ also maintain policies and procedures to address Japanese regulatory requirements. Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A Page 32 o'f 42 lNVfr$r#R$ SgXvt(s &,{*mnvb CREDIT OPINISN '11 March 2016 {Jpdat* Avista Corp. A Verticalty lntegrated Etectric and 6as Utitity Sumrnary Rating Ratianale Avista's Baal issuer rating reflects its primary business as a lowrisk vertically integrated electnc and gas utility with :lrong financial metrics. Ihe rating is underpinned by supportive regulatory jurisdictions, which provide important cost recovery mechanisms such as electric and gas revenue decoupting. Avista has some unregulated exposure in addition to its ownership of regulated utilrty Alaska flectric Light and Power {A[LP, Baa3 stabte), which provide marginal operational and cash flow diversity, but remain neutral in terms of affecting the ratings of Avista. Exhbit 1 Avista'c CFO prc-WC to debt is consittcntly in the high+eens. x(rah{lr ldH artrsrrr'd BATIRC$ ,(11111A r:..J*i' ccrit*(xt i,,.,. Plr,tese?the i,lli*gtr{.atim at lhe ud ol tbt tepott lw awle iafornation. lbn rr-)":, I I II Soure Mo@'s lntestots Seilkc Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A Page 33 of 42 ft*te this R*seerch }} 'i i ! ',l : ilgsst's ttivr$To*t $f; *vttt lNrftASTAU(?U*{ At{S FEOltfr T fi HAHCI Cr*dit $trcnglhr p Low-risk utility in supponive regutatory jurisdictions > Core utitity business in Washington provides stable cash flow Cr*dit (hall*nger > High dividend payout ratio n Eying long-term growth potential outside r:f rate-regulated, core busines: Rating Outlnnk The stable outlook incorporates our view that Avista's financiat proiile will maintain CFO prg-\./V6 to debt in tlre high-teene ran€e and that it wilt (ontinue to receive suppo(ive cost recovery kom ils regulators, I he stabte outlook also incorporntes a view thal unregulated operationr witl remain betow l5% of consolidated earnings and cash ftow, and that the cornpany's financiat policy wtll maintain a relatiwly even mix of debt and equity in its capital structure. Factsrs th*t Could L*ad t* an Upgrad* The ratings for Avista coutd be upgraded if the company were able to prodLrce CtO pre-WC to debt above ?0% on a susr.ainable ba:is, without the benetits frorn one-lime a<ljustrnents. Factors that Could Lead tu a Dawngmd* Avista'r ratings could be negatively irnpacted if the lev*t of regutatory support wanes, if the contribution ol its unregulated business were to increase disproportionately to those of its regulated operations, or if CFO pre-WC to debt were to falt to 15% for a sustainable period. Key lndi*ators [rhiblr e ItlY $r",Aldirors Avlsta Corp. 12i:u2015 1?l31lZA1{1Zl3I/e0t3 12,!1112012 12l)1/2t11 CIO pre-WC + lnterest I lntereJt 5,Tx 5.0x 2P.7Yo 44.6% lll AU ratiui alo brx{ ao 'AdJffit*d' tiMa}t d€ti and iffo}porare Moqdyi Cigb.l Sl.nd.ald Adj{rtmcnr! for Non-Fintrr(nl corp{ritnnr swr{.g Moo.h' t lnwftprs Seryice s.?x 4.4\4.8x ls.3% 47.4% Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A Page 34 ol 42 19 3% 16.2% 46.7% MOOSY't TNVtSTORS STRVTCE rr{f RA$T&u{Tun[ AHp Ffr ol[cT fi H&H{r Detailed Rating Consid*rations REC[NT RICULATORY DECISIONIS ART CREDIT POSMVE the primary credit driver for Avrsta is the degree of regulatory tupport and eost recovery altowed by its regutatory authorities, and particularly vra the Washington Utrtities and Transportation Commission (WUTC), which regulates roughly 60% of the company's revenue, We view the WUTC to be generally supporlive to credit, while having improved (ost recovery provilionr in the tast few years. [or example, in December 2014, the WUTC allowed Avista to implement elefiric and gas decoupling meehanisms which enhances the timety recovery of fixed costs for the utility and provides for stable and predictable gross margin and cash flow in the face of declining use, irr addition to attrition adjustments for ongoing rates, 'l'his has been particularly hetpful for Avista, since energy delivery to customers has fatten in both electric and gas $€gments for 2015. More reeently, the WUIC allowrd a $10.8 miltion gas revenue lncrease in January; however, the commis:ion also ordered the compiny to reduce electric rates by $8.'l million. The rate reduction was mainty driven by lower commodity and pow,er prices compared to the time when Avista made its original filing, As such, we view the WUTC order as immaterial to Avista's credit profile, since fuel and power costs do not generate margin and the rate reduction is not a result of unsupportive regulatory treatrnent. Fotlowing the elecrric rate decrease, Avista filed a rate cate with a t\ar&-step electric and gas rate increase proposal through the 18 months ending June 2018. Avista's request includes around 550 mitlion of electric and approaching 56 million of gas annual rate increases" Avista wilt also be offgetting some of the customer rate impacts through energy recovery mechanism (ERM) rebates. The filing is primarily driven by capitat investments lor maintainlng and upgrading its system. ln Oregon, the Oregon Pub[c Utilities Commrssron {OPUC) approved a $4 5 million gas rate increase on March 3, 2016, based <lrr a 9.47o return on equity. While relativcty minor rn lerms of scale, the decrsion is credit positive since Avista is now allowed to imptement a revenus-per-custorner decouplrng mechanism. ln ldaho, the ldaho Pubtic Utitities Commissron {IPUC) authorized /ivista lust under 52 mrllion ol electric and just over $Z mitlion of gas rate increases, effective January 1, 20'16, with an allowed RO€ of 9 5%. ln addition to the settlement, the company was authorized electric and gas decoupling mechanisms, as well. STRCINC CAsI.I TLOW METRICs CITT5[T HI(]i] PAYOUT AND sHARE REPURC}]As[S MADI J 2014 Avista's key financiat metrics, such as cash flow from operations before the changes in working capital (CIO pre-WC) to debt, have bean very stable over the past frve years, at around]9Yo. The rtrengt.h and consislency of Avista's financral metrics provides an offset to a dividend payout ratio that is clos* to 70% and the repunhase o[ $80 mitlron worth of common stock rn 70]4, Despite these credit nogative financ.ial po{icies, Avista eontiriues to maiiltain a linancial profile rn-hne with Baal integrated peers, who have averaged just over 20% CIO pre-WC to debt and 15% Cf O pre-WC less dividsnds to <Jebr over thc past live years; both are consistent with the tevels produced by Avi:ta over this time Avista's 5376 mrllion ol C[0 in 2015 is signif icantly hrgher than historical periods, psrtty due lo: higher depreciatron and amorlization from additional plant-rn-service and a fult year of A[LP on AvistB't consolidated books; non-cash pension expense exceedrng cash plan contributions by around $25 miltion; and a 535 nrillion swing in power and naturat gas cost deferrats, While the asset additions will contrnue to boost depreciation and amortrzation, we expect the pension and deferrals for power and fuel costs to reverse over time, as the conrpany's recovery rnechanirms [rue-up the temporary mismatch between the (osts Avista incurred and rates charged to customers. We expect for Avista's ongoing margin and cash flow lo remain around 5300 mittion due to margin-stabilizing decoupting mechanisms in Washington, ldaho and Oregon This would result in about 17ofo of Avista's total ad;usted debt at Decemb*r 2015. APPITITI TOR CROWT}.I MAY INTRODUCT CRIATTR RISK OVT.R TH[ IONfr-TfRM Avista management has indicated an interest ln creating new growth ptatlorms through a non-utility :ubsidiay, Sahx, lnc (not rated), a subsidiary of Avista Caprtal, lnc. (not rated, a wholly-owned subsidiary ol Avista). Salix was formecl to exptore oppofiunities to extend natural *as use beyond traditional pipetine supplied markets, via expansion ol tiquefied natural gas (LNC) servic* throughout Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A Page 35 of 42 the region. Avista's $rategy is premised on the low-price and abundant supply of natural gas, whrch could give t NC an e(onoffii( advantage over other competing fuets. However, this strategy has slowed given the steep dectinet in oil prices over [he tast 18 months For now, u(e expect that the management will take srnatl, measured approaches to the development of its unregLrlated business, Currently, we do not view lalix as a negative to Avista's credit profile: however, il Salix grows to be a larger portior] of earnings and cash flow, or exhibit more business risk, it has the potentiat of negatively hurting the credit profile for Avista. The current nature o{ Avista's capital plan is viewed posilively, since the (ompany is long power and primarily focused on basic system improvements; but, if othe.r non-traditional areas are targeted forgrowth oppor"tunities, this could have the potefitiat lo raise the risk profile of the company. Liquidity Analysis Avista's external tiqtridity source consists of a $,100 million senior se<ured revolving credit [acility, which expires in April 2019. As of December 31, 2015, there were 5149 million of cash borrowings, leaving $250.4 mittion of available liquidity underthe line of credit. Since Avista currently has unsecured investment grade ratings kom two nationslly recognized ra{ing agencies, Lhe company has rhe option to request the banks to relinquish the exirting First Mortgage Bond collaterat position, but it has chosen not to do so for economir reasons. Despite the collateral staying in place at Avista's dirretion, the secur:ed natur€ of the rredir facilities sornewhat constrains Avista's liquidity flexibility, in our opinion, since the typicot investmert grade issuer (having an unsecured facitity) can use collateral as an option to improve bank sredit access during periods of unloreseen linuidity strers. The facitity has a 5100 mitlion accordion thature and is subject to gnd pricing. The 5400 miltion facility does not contain any material adverse change language for borrowings but does so to access the $]00 million accordion feature^ The facitity atso includes a debt to rapitalizatiein covenant not to exceed 657o As of Decernber 2015, the company had suf f icient headroonr availaLrle under the debt to capitatiration covenant. AEL&P has a $25 mittion line of credit which expires in November 2019 and has a consotidated debt to capitalization covenant of 67.5%- As of Dece mber 3i, 2015, the full amounl wal available for bonowing and Ail"&.p wat in {ornpliance with its covenant. Avista's next material debt maturitirs or(ur in August 2016 when 590 million of first mortgage bonds is due. AERC's next nraturity is in 2019 when its S15 mitlion term loan is scheduted to expire Profile Avista Corp. is primarity a regulated electric and gas utility servicing around 375,000 electric and 335,000 gas customers in Washington, ldaho and Oregon. Avista also owns Ataska Energy and Resources Company (AiRC; not rated), parent of Alaska ilectric Light and Power Company (AttP; Baa3) which serves around 17,000 etectric customers in Juneau, Alaska. Avisra's uritiry operatton: are prrmarity regulared by the Washington [rrilities and Transportation (ommission (WUTC), ldaho Pubtic Utitities Commission (IPUC) and the Oregon Public Utility Conrmisrion tOpUC) AE LP's rstes art regulated by the Re.gulatory Commission of Alaska {RCA) Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A Page 36 of 42 !,roo0Y's tHvrSIoRi sERvtc{${rlASTXu(It}*e Ahr }&$J({T F$*ANCI MOGDY'S INVES'SNS SEftVI([ruriA$TRutrril*t efi B raslx,(T f lxANc[ Rating F{*thod*l*gy and $cnresard Fa*tnru [.xhibir 3 *$lirx rra$sr{ Ayi$ta Corp. nE8ulated tlecttic and C€s Utilities Industry 6rid llllzl Crrrent FY I?/31/20r5 Moody's 12-18 i,lonth Fomerd View As Date Puhlished [3] Score A Baa Baa Baa A A f actor 'l :Fremawork Mearure 5corr Mearure .lrrdiciat underpinrin8t of the Baa Baa Ra(es and Bae tactor 3 8aa Ceneration and fud A Iactor 4 : Flnancial {.5x " 4.9x 'r9.8%15% -'t9% Year 15.3%1196 - r5% 45% . 50% 6rid-lndlceted Holdco 0 geal Enal It| All ratior ore based o|! 'Adiuiied' finrncial dita and in(orpnrate Moody'r CIob.t tt.nd.rd Adrurtmentt lor Non-FinarEiit CorPotation5. l?l Ar ol l?llu?ors; lll Ih( rlpr*rcntr Hoodyls forward vieu. not the vie{ oflhp issu( and unler: notcd in lhr terl, does hot in(oporat€ li8nifitail Bcquisition! and divprtitur€r. 5 a,$ cr. Mo ody' t lf, veato{, 5Prvic? ftatings 0utlook Stabte lssuer Senior MTN AA Baa Bia 8aa A 8ia A 5.3r 8na Eaa 8aa 8aa Baal 0 0 0 Baal Baal 8aa1 A? Firrr AVtSlA CORP. CArrrAL n t&ta? Moul!" lnrettdn service of CFO lnierBsl Year YenrCfO pre.Wc / Dcbt Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A Page 37 ol 42 A Out[0ok Stable lHrm$lau{fuBfi Ailtr ret}]s{T Hf-tANet it ' : 1 .i l, ..1 , :i, i t t L 1 ii i. :. j , il I ,I il , I 1 I, L Ittl,ORI NUi4Stf{ r, r1', , Mor:r:vi tf*v[5T0x! sERvtc€ Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A Page 38 of 42 M Moopv's INVESTOR5 SE(VICE Rating Action: Moady's Aesigtts Baa3 Issuer Rating to Alaska Electric Light & Power 6ompany; Outlspk $table GlobalCredit Resuarclr - }'? Jul2tl1$ New York, July 27, 201 5 - Moodt's lnvestors Service, ("MooOyls"l today assigned a Baa3 lssuer Rating to Alaska Electrlc Light and Power Company {AELP), a subsidiary of Alaska Energy and Resources Company (not rated), which is a subsidiary of Avista Corporation (Baal stable). The raling outlook is stable. RATINGS RATIONALE 'The Baa3 lssuer Rating for AELP reflects strong regulatory support provided by the Regulatory Oomnrission of Alaska (RCA), which helps to offset AELP's weak financial metrios and small size" said Assistant Vice President Ryan Wobbrock. "The RCA's track record of allowing sufficienl revenue increases to recover cosls and allowing high retums (e.9., AELFs current '12.875e/" allowed ROE and 53.8'lo eQuity layer) providas the loundation for an inveslment grade credit profile that offsets AELP's other weaknesses" Wobbrock added. AELP's investment grade credit profile balances the generally low-risk naturo ol a rate regulaled utility company with weak cash flow to debt metrics of around 10026, its materially small size and concenlration risks. For example, following Avista's recapitalization of AELP, CFO pre-WC to debt has fallen to 11%, which is more reflective of a non-investmenl grade metric. We expect this level of financial performance over lhe nexl ssveral years, as AELP constructs new general'ron facilities but also anticipate a slow gradual improvement in this m€tric as annual amortization payments are made on a portion of AELP's long-term debt. ln terms of concentration risk, about trivo thirds of AELP's 420 gigawatt hours of 2014 generation production cqrnes from a slngle facility, the 78 megawatt Snettisham Hydroelectric Project, which provides AELP power under a power purchase agreemenl, Avista's ownership, while not a direcl benefit to AELP's credit profile, is seen as a posilive rating factor sinco Avista is a relatively conservative slratogic owner and any potential equity Eupport for AELP could be provided (wlth regulatory approval), without causing financial duress to Avista. At lhe same time, the existence of a $15 million term loan at A€RC adds additio*al indebtedness requirements for AELP, since AELP is the only operating company to service lhe intermediate holding company debl. What Could Change the Rating - Up AELP could be upgraded if it wsr€ able to produce CFO pre-W0 to debt in lhe mid-teens for a sustained period. What Could Change the Rating - Down Weak financial metrics are expeclod to persist beyond the next 12 - 18 month ratlng horizon; however, AELP's rating could be downgraded during its four year construction period if CFO pre-WC to debt remains below '10% on a standalone prospective basis. Additionally, AEIP could be downgraded if regulatory treatment from the RCA becomes less credit supportive, or if the company experiences a prolonged operaUonal difiicutty. Alaska Electric Light and Power Company (AELP; Baa3 stable) is a vertically integrated electric utility that services just under 16,500 customers in Juneau, Alaska. AELP is the primary oporating subsidiary oJ Alaska Energy and Resources Company (AERC, nol rated), an intermediate holding company and subsidiary of Avista Corp. (Avista; Baal stable). AELP's utility operations are primarily regulated by the RCA, with certain of its generation facilities being regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The principal methodology used in this rating was Regulated Electric and Gas Utilities published in December 2013. Please see the Credit Polrcy page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology. REGULATORY DISCLOSURES For ratings issued on a program, $eries or category/class of debl, lhis announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to eaeh rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of lhe same series or Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A Page 39 of 42 categorylclass of debt or pur$uant to a program for which lha ratings are derived exclusively from existlng ratings in accordance with Moodfs rating practces. For ratings issued on a supporl provider, this announcement provides certain regulalory disclosures in relation to the rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a detinitive rating that may be assigned subsequenl to the final issuance of the debt, in each case where the transaclion structure and terrns have not changed prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in s manner that would hava affected the raling. For further information please see the ratings tab on the issuerlentity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com. For any affected securities or rated entitios receiving direct credit support from tha primary entity(ies) of this rating aclion, and whose ratings may change as a result of this rating action, the associated ragulatory disclosures will be those of the guarantor antity. Exceptions to this approach exist for the following disclosures, if applicable to iurisdlction: Ancillary Services, Disclosure lo rated entity. Disclosure from rated entity, The follnwing information supplements Disclosure 10 ("lnformation Relating lo Conflicls of lntorest as requirsd by Paragraph (aXl XiiXJ) of SEC Rulo 179-7') in the regulalory disclosures made at the ratings tab on lhe issuerlentity page on www.moodys.corn for each crodil rating: Moody's was not paid for services other than determining a credit r:ating in lhe mosl recently ended fiscal year by the person thal paid Moody's to determine this credit raling. Rogulatory disclosures contained in thls press release apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating review. Please seo www.moodys.com for any updates on changes to the lead rating analyst and to ths Moody's legal entity that has issued the raling. Please see the ratings tab on the issuerlentity page on www.moodys.com for additional regulatory disclosures for each credil rating. Ryan Wobbrock Asst Vice Presidenl - Analyst lnfrastructure Finance Group Moody's lnvestors Service. lnc. 250 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 u.s.A. JOURNALIST$: 21 2-553-0376 SUBSCRIBERS: 21 2-553-1653 William L. Hess MD - Utilities lnfrastructure Finance Group JOURNALISTS: 2 1 2-553-0376 SUBSCRIBERS: 212-553-1653 Releasing Office: Moody's lnvestors Service, lnc. 250 Greenwich Slreel New York, NY 10007 u.s.A. JOU RNALISTS: 21 2-553-0376 SUBSCRIBERS; 21 2-553-1 653 Moot>v's INVESTSRS 5EftVI(E A 2017 Moody's Corporation, Moody's lnvestors Service, lnc., Moody's Analytics, lnc. and/or their licensors and affiliatos (collectively,'MOODY'S"). All rights reserved. Staff_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A Page 40 ol 42 i CREOIT RATINGS ISSUED BY IIiOOUY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. AND ITS RATINGS AFFILIATES ("MIS"} ARE MOODY'S CURRENT OPINIONS OF THE RELATIVE FUTURE CREDIT RISK OF ENTITIES, CREDIT COMMITMENTS, OR DEBT OR DEBT,LIKE SECURITIES, AND MOODY'S PUBLICATIONS MAY INCLUDE MOODY'S CURRENT OPINIONS OF THE RELATIVE FUTURE CREDIT RISK OF ENTITIES, GREDIT COUIMITMENTS, OR DEBT OR DEBT.LIKE SECURITIES. MOODY'S DEFINES CREDIT RISK AS THS RISX THATAN ENTIW II'IAY NOT MEET ITS CONTRACTUAL, FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS AS THEY COME DUE ANg ANY ESTIMATED FINANCIAL LOSS IN THE EVENT OF DEFAULT. 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MJKK or MSFJ (as appticable) hereby disclose that most issuers of debt securitios (including corporate end r^nunicipal bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper) and preferred stock rated by MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) have, prior to assignment of any rating, agreed to pay to MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) for appraisal and rating services rendered by it fees ranging from JPY200.000 to approximately JPY350,000,000" MJKK and MSFJ also maintain policies and procedures to address Japanase regulatory requirements. Stafi_PR_006(AVA) Attachment A Page 42 ol 42 PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL - JOINT PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE AND CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT MATERIALS AVISTA CORPORATION RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION JURISDICTION CASE NO: REQUESTER: TYPE: REQUEST NO.: IDAHO DATE PREPARED: lll21l201l AVU-E-17-09 / AVU-G-17-05 WITNESS: Patrick D. EhrbarIPUC RESPONDER: Jennifer S. Smith Production Request DEPARTMENT: State & Federal RegulationStaff-007(AVA) TELEPHONE: 509-495-2098EMAIL: jennifer.smith@avistacorp.com REQUEST: Please provide a detailed list and description of all costs the Company expects to be allocated from Hydro One, or other corporate entities in each of the first five years following the merger? In the following five years? RESPONSE: As discussed in Mr. Ehrbar's testimony, as well as in the Joint application on page32, to the extent Avista employees dedicate time and incur costs related to the operations of Hydro One, such costs would be directly assigned and billed to Hydro One, and would not be borne by Avista's customers. Likewise, should Hydro One employees dedicate time and incur costs associated with Avista's operations, such costs would be directly assigned and billed to Avista and would be subject to review and approval by the Commission prior to being recovered in retail rates. Any such costs would not be allocated. Please see Ehrbar Exh. 7, Schedule 3, or Appendix 7 to the Joint Application, for a copy of the protocol for the direct assignment of costs between the two companies. Avista and Hydro One have just started to engage in high-level discussions to begin to identify possible future opportunities from shared processes, and have not yet identified specific costs that would be directly assigned, and at this time are unable to provide a detailed list of such costs. l\t = ..46Errrf\) f)tom lEe:lE Il! €,3 GJ ."|,:: --f f_l*: --, L l-- 5-mlgF ulc>aoz. Page I of I