20180126Avista to Staff Staff_DR_001.docx

AVISTA CORP.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATIONJURISDICTION:WASHINGTONDATE PREPARED:11/20/2017CASE NO.:U-170970WITNESS:Scott L. MorrisREQUESTER:UTC StaffRESPONDER:Ed SchlectTYPE:Data RequestDEPT:Corporate StrategyREQUEST NO.:Staff – 001(AVA)TELEPHONE:[phone]EMAIL:[e-mail]:On page 8 of his prefiled direct testimony, Mr. Morris says that the proposed transaction, if approved, will “provide increased opportunities for innovation, research and development, and efficiencies by extending the use of technology, best practices, and business processes over a broader customer base and a broader set of infrastructure. …”Please identify examples of these benefits. RESPONSE:The companies have not quantified benefits in these areas. However, it is anticipated that over time the merger will provide increased opportunities for innovation, research and development, and efficiencies by extending the use of technology, best practices, and business processes over a broader customer base and a broader set of infrastructure between the two companies. After all approvals are received and the companies merge, both companies will work together to identify, evaluate, and execute on opportunities to collaborate on potential benefits/synergies.