20260831Notice_of_Application_Order_No_37151.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
August 31,2026
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF AVISTA ) CASE NO. AVU-E-26-10
CORPORATION'S APPLICATION FOR A )
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE ) NOTICE OF APPLICATION
AND NECESSITY TO CONSTRUCT THE )
CARLIN BAY TRANSMISSION LINE ) NOTICE OF MODIFIED
PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 37151
On July 9,2026,Avista Corporation,dba Avista Utilities("Company")applied to the Idaho
Public Utilities Commission ("Commission") requesting a Certificate of Public Convenience and
Necessity("CPCN")to construct a new overhead 115 kilovolt("kV")transmission line and related
facilities("Project")to provide service by connecting the proposed O'Gara Substation to the Carlin
Bay Substation("Application"). The Company requested an order on or before December 1,2026.
With this Order we issue notice of the Company's Application and set public comment and
Company reply deadlines.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Company is requesting that the Commission
determine that construction of a new 115 kV transmission line serving the east side of Lake Coeur
d'Alene is necessary for the public convenience and necessity under Idaho Code §§ 61-508 and
61-526. Application at 1. The area is currently served by two distribution feeders, one from the
Blue Creek Substation and one from the existing O'Gara Substation.Id. at 2. The Company states
that both feeders have experienced sustained outages and have reached their capacity as population
and electricity demand continue to grow.Id. at 1. The Company expects the frequency and severity
of reliability issues to increase if the Project is not constructed.Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company believes the Project will strengthen
the reliability and flexibility of its electric system in the area. Id. at 2. The Company also states
that the additional transmission capacity would provide a dependable source of energy for existing
and future customers, create greater flexibility for delivering energy and reserve capacity,provide
an alternative source for shifting electrical loads during outages or equipment failures, and allow
the system to accommodate continued growth.Id.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 37151 1

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that without the Project, the Company believes that it
may have to intentionally disrupt service to customers to prevent equipment from becoming
overloaded or damaged.Id. at 4.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that to support the Project, the Company proposes
constructing approximately 13 miles of new overhead 115 kV transmission line.Id. at 4-5.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company considers the Project to be a cost-
effective means of meeting its obligation to provide reliable service to both existing and future
customers in an area experiencing substantial development. Id. at 7. The Company states that the
existing feeders are unable to accommodate additional growth, and it is aware of numerous
developments that are either under construction or planned. Id. The Company believes that some
customers are waiting for improvements to the electrical system before proceeding with
development.Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company has undertaken community and
agency outreach during the Project's development. Id. at 6. After identifying the proposed
transmission route, the Company and its consultant held a public open house on September 27,
2023,where the proposed route and Project information were presented and community members
were given an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments. Id. The Company states that it
documented the feedback received and followed up with affected property owners, working
directly with landowners whose properties could be affected by the proposed route and making
adjustments where feasible to reduce impacts and address individual concerns.Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company states that it has also coordinated
with Kootenai County and various state and federal agencies, including the Idaho Department of
Lands, Idaho Fish and Game, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Land
Management.Id. The company reports that the necessary permits or easements from participating
state and federal agencies have been obtained, while coordination with Kootenai County remains
ongoing.Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the estimated cost of constructing the new 115 kV
transmission line is approximately $30 million. Id. at 9. The Company states that it began
evaluating project options in 2023 and completed the line-siting process that year. Id. Once the
necessary easements and permits are finalized, the Company expects to complete the remaining
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 37151 2

line design in 2026. Id. The Company anticipates construction to begin in 2027 and take
approximately two years, with energization of the transmission line expected in late 2028.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.
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 October 27, 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 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
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 37151 3

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.
For the Idaho Public Utilities For the Company:
Commission:
Commission Secretary Anni Glogovac
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Patrick D. Ehrbar
P.O. Box 83720 P.O. Box 3727
Boise, ID 83702-0074 1411 E. Mission Avenue, MSC-33
secretgU&puc.idaho.gov Spokane, WA 99220-3727
anni.glo og vackavistacoip.com
Patrick.ehrbargavistacorp.com
AvistaDockets(a),avistacorp.com
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company must file any reply comments by
November 10, 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.
Persons interested in submitting written comments must do so by October 27,2026.The Company
must file any reply comments by November 10, 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
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 37151 4

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.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 31st day of
August, 2026.
G
EDWARD LODGE, PREAIDENT
J R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER
DAYN HA IE, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
o i a anchez
Commission Secretary
IALega1\ELECTRIC\AVU-E-26-10_Carlin Bay CPCN\orders\AVUE2610_nte_app_mod_em.doex
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
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