20210304Avista to Staff 1-34.pdf

RECEIYED
AyISTA CORpORATION 2021March 4, PM 2:315
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ruRISDICTION
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
IDAHO DATE PREPARED: 0212612021
AVU-E-21-01 / AW-c-21-01 WITNESS: Elizabeth AndrewsIPUC RESPONDER: Jeanne Pluth
Production Request DEPARTMENT: Regulatory AffairsStaff-001 TELEPHONE: [phone]
REQUEST:
Please provide copies of the monthly trial balances from January 2019 through the most current
month available. Please supplement your response when additional months become available
throughout 2021.
RESPONSE:
Please see Staff PR_0Ol-Attachment A for the trial balance for each month between January 2019
and January 2021.
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
ruRISDICTION:
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
IDAHO DATE PREPARED
AVU.E.2I-01 / AW.G-21-01 WITNESS:IPUC RESPONDER:
Production Request DEPARTMENT:Staff-002 TELEPHONE:
ay02t202t
Elizabeth Andrews
Jeanne Pluth
Regulatory Affairs
(s0e) 49s-2204
REQUEST:
Please provide a copy of the Company Chart of Accounts.
RESPONSE:
Please see Staff PR_0O2-Attachment A for the Company's chart of accounts.
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATTON
JURISDICTION: IDAHO DATE PREPARED
CASE NO: AVU-E-2l-01 / AW-c-21-01 WITNESS:
REQUESTER: IPUC RESPONDER:TYPE: Production Request DEPARTMENT:
REQUEST NO.: Staff-003 TELEPHONE:
031021202r
Elizabeth Andrews
Debbie Deubel
Executive
(sOe) 4es-8638
REQUEST:
Please provide a list of all external attorneys who performed services for the Company or who
were paid by the Company for services during 2019 and,2020. Please list the amounts paid,
accounts charged, and date of payment. Please also provide a brief summary of the services
performed. If services were performed in support of a docketed federal/state court or regulatory
action, please identifr the case name, case number, and jurisdiction. For each expense, please
illustrate how the charge was allocated to the Company's jurisdictions.
RESPONSE:
Please see Avista's response 003C, which contains TRADE SECRET, PROPRIETARY or
CONFIDENTIAL information and exernpt from public view and is separately filed under IDAPA
31.01.01, Rule 067 and233, and Section 9-340D,Idaho Code.
Please see Staff PR_003C Confidential Attachment A which includes the amounts paid, the FERC
accounts charged, the month of payment and the service and jurisdiction charged for all legal
expenses incurred by the Company during 2019 md2020, excluding those charged to Non-Utility.
Total external legal expenses for the twelve-month period ended December 31,2019 (the
Company's historical test period used in this case) was $1,735,307. Of these totals, the amounts
directly charged to Idaho electric was $22,312 and Idaho natural gas was $1,500. The remaining
balance was allocated to the jurisdictions (Idaho, Washington, and Oregon) or directly assigned to
Avista's other Washington and Oregon jurisdictions as shown in Staff PR 003C Confidential
Attachment A (ab *2019").
Total external legal expenses for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2O2O (these
balances are not included inthe Company's filing) was $1,473,815. For2020, the amounts directly
charged to Idaho electric was $1,643 and Idaho natural gas was $50,857. The remaining balance
was allocated to the jurisdictions (Idaho, Washington, and Oregon) or directly assigned to Avista's
other Washington and Oregon jurisdictions as shown in Staff PR 003C Confidential Affachment
A (tab *2020").
A brief description of the services performed for Avista in2019 and2020 is as follows:
Baker Botts - Provided representation in connection with challenge of Washington
Department of Ecology's Clean Air Rule, regulating emissions attributed to natural gas
local distribution companies.
o Avista Comoration et al.v. Deoartment of Ecolosv. United States District Court
for the Eastem District of Washington, Cause No. 2:2016-cv-00335
o Avista Comoration et al.v. Deoartrnent of Ecolosv. Thurston County, Washington
Superior Court Cause No. 16-2-03966-6; Washington Supreme Court Cause No.
9s885-8.
Bracewell LLP - Provided counsel on financing and SEC matters.
Cascadia Law Group - Provided counsel on general water rights and environmental issues.
Crowley Fleck PLLP - Provided representation in Montana in connection with the
proposed transaction between Puget Sound Energy and NorthWestern Energy regarding
their respective ownership interests in the Colstrip generation plant.
Davis Wrisht Trerrraine LLP - Primary counsel to the Company with respect to commercial
matters and transactions, miscellaneous commercial litigation, energy resources, IT, hydro
relicensing, financing, trademark, and ernployment and employee benefits issues.
Dorsev & Whitney. LLP - Provided counsel on employee benefit plans.
Faegre Baker Daniels LLP - Provided counsel with respect to the Colstrip Operating
Agreement.
Fox Rothschild LLP - Provided counsel with respect to benefit planning.
Garlington Lohn & Robinson Provided counsel on Montana streambed and
environmental issues, and litigation.
o Avista Corporation v. MDNRC, Montana First Judicial District Court,
Lewis and Clark County, Cause No. BDV-2021-23.
o State of Montana v. Avista Comoration, Montana First Judicial District
Court, Lewis and Clark County, Cause No. ADV 2004-846.
Gibson Dunn Crutcher- LLP -Provided counsel on corporate matters with respect to
activism and related corporate matters.
Hathaway LLP _Provided counsel with respect to a commercial transaction with
Spokane lndusfries, Inc.
Hawley Troxell Ennis & Hawley. LLP - Representation in connection with a tax dispute
with the Idaho State Tax Commission.
Jensen Hugrhes. Inc. - Professional investigation of a fire in Colfax, Washington.
JJMA Investigations. LLC - Professional advice and consultation in connection with the
Boyd's fire litigation.
o State of WashinEton Deparbnent ofNatural Resources v. Avista Comoration, Ferry
County, Washington, Superior Court, Cause No. 19-2-00057-10.
o Jeff and Jessica Cox v. Avista Corporation, Ferry County, Washington, Superior
Court, Cause No. 20-2-0001 0-1 0.
o Liberty Insurance Corporation v. Avista Comoration, Ferry County, Washington,
Superior Court, Cause No. 20-2-00026-10.
o Mutual of Enumclaw Insurance v. Avista Corporation, Ferry County, Washington,
Superior Court, Cause No. 20-2-00037-10.
Keller and Heckman. LLP - Provided counsel on FCC matters.
Page2 of6
KSB Litigation - Local counsel providing general litigation support on a variety of
corporate matters, including tribal matters, pending litigation in the State of Montana and
potential disputes involved the Colstrip generation plant.
o Avista Corporation v. MDNRC, Montana First Judicial District Court, Lewis and
Clark County, Cause No. BDV-2021-23.
o State of Montana v. Avista Corporation, Montana First Judicial District Court,
Lewis and Clark County, Cause No. ADV 2004-846.
Laneley & Bromberg LLC - Provided counsel on joint use matters.
Law Offices of Duncan B Koler- Settlement proceeds paid in connection with a personal
injury claim. Payment made to law firm kust account for the benefit of the claimant,
Danica Dixon.
Lawman Law Firm - Settlernent proceeds paid in connection with a personal injury claim.
Payment made to law firm trust account for the benefit of the plaintiffs, Irene Scott and
Bernard Bakken.
o Estate of Bernard Bakken v. Avista Corporation et al., United States District
Court for the Eastern District of Washington, Cause No. 2:18-cv-00323.
Lee & Hayes. PLLC - Provided counsel on intellectual property issues.
Markowitz Herbold PC - Provided counsel related to Oregon proceeding opened by the
OPUC Commission related to deferral of capital additions investigation. Related to
uM2004.
McDermott Will & Emery LLP - Provide counsel on general labor relations matters.
McDowell Rackner & Gibson PC - Provided legal representation for all Oregon Utilities
represented as "Joint Utilities" related to 'oDocket UM 2004 - In the Matter of the
Application of Public Utility Commission of Oregon, Investigation of the Recovery of
Capital Costs Consistent with Commission Legal Authority and the Public Interest."
McHush Bromley PLLC - Provided counsel on water rights litigation.
o North Idaho Water Rishts Adjudication. Coeur d'Alene-Spokane River Basin, Fifth
Judicial District of the State of Idaho for the County of Twin Falls, Cause No.
49576.
Mclane Law PLLC - Provided counsel on labor and employment matters and related
litigation.
o Brandy Weatherly & Jennifer Willis v. Avista Comoration, Spokane County,
Washington Superior Court Cause No. 17-2-04715-0.
o Brandon Beierle v. Avista Corporation, Spokane County, Washington Superior
Court Cause No. 17-2-05055-0.
Ogletree. Deakins. Nash. Smoak & Stewart. PC - Provided counsel on preparation of
executive compensation portions of the annual proxy.
Owens McCrea & Linscott Trust Account - Settlement proceeds paid in connection with a
personal injury claim. Payment made to law firm trust account for the benefit of the
claimant, Annali DeJesus.
Paine Hamblen LLP - Local counsel providing general support on a variety of corporate
matte,rs, real estate matters, and litigation.
Page 3 of6
o In re Vandervert Construction. lnc., Spokane County, Washington Superior
Court Cause No. 18-2-00431-9.
o State of Washington Deparhnent of Natural Resources v. Avista Comoration,
Ferry County, Washington, Superior Court, Cause No. 19-2-00057-10.
o Jeff and Jessica Cox v. Avista Comoration, Ferry County, Washington,
Superior Court, Cause No. 20-2-00010-10.
o Liberty Insurance Corporation v. Avista Corporation, Ferry County,
Washington, Superior Court, Cause No. 20-2-00026-10.
o Mutual of Enumclaw Insurance v. Avista Comoration, Ferry County,
Washington, Superior Court, Cause No. 20-2-00037-10.
o Matthew Chinchinian v. Avista Corporation, Asotin County, Washington,
Superior Court Cause No. 19-2-00294-02.
Perkins Coie LLP - Provided counsel on ernployment benefit plans and state and local
clean energy mandates.
Pillsburv Winthrop Shaw Pittrnan - Provided counsel on financing and SEC matters.
Ramlow &Rudbach PLLP - Provided counsel on Montana water rights adjudication
(multiple basins).
Randall Danskin - Provided counsel on a variety of labor and e,rrlployment issues and
litigation.
o F.sfafe of Bemard Bakken Awisfa Cnrnorafinn el al United States District
a
Court for the Eastern District of Washington, Cause No. 2:18-cv-00323.
Buddy Boy Farms. Inc. v. Avista Corporation. Spokane County, Washington
Superior Court Cause No. 18-2-04880-32.
Brandy Weatherly & Jennifer Willis v. Avista Corporation, Spokane County,
Washington Superior Court Cause No. 17-2-04715-0.
Brandon Beierle v. Avista Comoration, Spokane County, Washington Superior
Court Cause No. 17-2-05055-0.
Yons Lewis v. Avista, Spokane County, Washington, Superior Court Cause
No. 19-2-05005-32.
Mario Lara v. Michael Greeno et al., Adams County, Washington, Superior
Court Cause No. 18-2-00102-01.
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a I{annpfh Shinmr \/ Vqnd /ann o'l.n rafi nn et ol Spokane County,
o
Washington Superior Court Cause No. 19-2-00316032
Xiaopine Shao v. Avista, Spokane County, Washington, Superior Court Cause
No. 19-2-03164-32.
Aneela Rodrizuez v. Avista Comoration, Spokane County, Washington,
Superior Court Cause No. 19-2-02446-32.
a
Arricfq (-nrnnrctinn rr (1l oranoa D or rl caa Jr. et
Superior Court Cause No. 19-2-02834-32.
o
Page 4 of6
ol Spokane County, Washington
a Hauff v. Every Time I Die et al., Spokane County, Washington, Superior Court
Cause No. 1 9-2-0227 4-32.
Citv of Spokane Valley v. Jovi. LLC, Spokane County, Washington, Superior
Court Cause No. 19-2-04137-32.
CiW of Spokane Valley v. SPW-Dist.. LLC, Spokane County, Washington,
Superior Court Cause No. 19-2-04140-32.
City of Sookane Valley v. Hieh-Est. LLC., Spokane County, Washington,
Superior Court Cause No. 19-2-04139-32.
Citv of Spokane Valley v. Bradlev D. Cassell, Spokane County, Washington
Superior Court Cause No. 19-2-05284-32.
a
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o United Fire v. Avista et al..District Court of the First Judicial District of
the State of Idaho, in and for the County of Kootenai, Cause No. CV28-18-
9083.
o M&L Construction v. Elm, Kootenai County, Idatro, Small Claims Court,
Cause No. CV28- l9-7 57 9.
o State of Washington v. Tombari et al., Spokane County, Washington, Superior
Court Cause No. 19-2-01514-32.
o State v. Aleyshkin. LLC, Spokane County, Washington, Superior Court Cause
No. 19-2-04352-32.
Reeulatory Law Chambers - Professional services provided for the Westem Export Group
orEG).
Seyfarth Shaw LLP - Provided counsel on employee benefit plans.
Stoel Rives - Counsel to the Company on FERC license matters, environmental issues,
ernployee welfare benefit issues and water rights.
Thomson Reuters West - Legal subscription for research.
Trust Account of Michael N Gutzler PC - Settlement proceeds paid in connection with a
personal injury claim. Payment made to law firm trust account for the benefit of the
plaintiff, Xiaoping Shao.
o Xiaoping Shao v. Avista, Spokane County, Washington, Superior Court Cause
No. 19-2-03164-32.
Van Ness Feldman - FERC counsel providing representation on a variety of matters,
including western power market issues, rulemakings, etc.
West Economics Inc - Professional accounting services in connection with pending
litigation.
o Buddy Boy Farms. Inc. v. Avista Corporation. Spokane County, Washington
Superior Court Cause No. 18-2-04880-32.
Westlaw - Legal subscription for research.
White and Case LLP - Advice and consultation in connection with shareholder rights plan
and shareholder activism.
Winner Managernent. Inc. - Professional advice and consultation in connection with the
Boyd's fire litigation.
Page 5 of6
o State of Washington Deparhnent ofNatural Resources v. Avista Corporation, Ferry
County, Washington, Superior Court, Cause No. 19-2-00057-10.
Jeff and Jessica Cox v. Avista Corporation, Ferry County, Washington, Superior
Court, Cause No. 20-2-00010-1 0.
Liberty Insurance Comoration v. Avista Corporation, Ferry County, Washington,
Superior Court, Cause No. 20-2-00026-10.
Mutual of Enumclaw Insurance v. Avista Corporation, Ferry County, Washington,
Superior Court, Cause No. 20-2-00037-10.
o
a
Page 6 of6
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
JURISDICTION
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
IDAHO
AVU-E-2 l -0 l /AVU-G -21 -01
IPUC
Production Request
Staff-004
DATE PREPARED: 0310112021WITNESS: ElizabethAndrews
RESPONDER: Violet Makhanov
DEPARTMENT: Corporate Accounting
TELEPHONE: (509) 49s-2883
REQUEST:
Please provide the total amount that the Company spent on the following activities for 2019, and
show how the Company allocated the amounts between its Avista Utilities operating division and
the rest of the Company and its subsidiaries:
a. Internal auditing expenses;
b. The Company's annual report;
c. Deloitte;
d. Rating agencies;
e. All software or information syston-related issues;
f. Board of Directors compensation, travel expenses, and meeting expenses;
g. Corporate or chartered aircraft;
h. Travel and training for all shared executives of Avista Utilities and affiliates;
i. Insurance coverage;
j. Overhead items including utilities, property taxes, security selices, and other
corporate headquarter expenses; and
k. All other allocated expenses.
RESPONSE:
See Staff PR_004 Attachment A for items a. - k. (Staf[_PR_004 Attachment B relates to item f.)
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR TNFORMA',TTON
ruRISDICTION:
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
IDAHO
AVU-E-2 I -0 l /AVU-G -21 -01
IPUC
Production Request
Staff-005
DATE PREPARED: 0310212021WITNESS: ElizabethAndrews
RESPONDER: Jaime Majure
DEPARTMENT: Regulatory Affairs
TELEPHONE: (509) 49s-7839
REQUEST:
Please provide a copy of all regulatory orders relating to Avista Utilities or the Company and its
subsidiaries issued by state agencies in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, or the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission in 2019 through 2021to date.
RESPONSE:
Please see Sta{_AR_005 Attachment A for the state orders and Staff AR 005 Attachment B for
the FERC orders.
A\ISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR TNFORMATTON
JURISDICTION:
CASE NO.:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
IDAHO
AW-E-2 1 -0 I /AW-G -21 -01
IPUC
Production Request
Staff-006
DATE PREPARED: 0212612021WITNESS: ElizabethAndrews
RESPONDER: Heide Evans
DEPARTMENT: Environmental
TELEPHONE: (s09) 49s-4993
REQUEST:
Please summarize all of the Company's environmental cleanup costs during2}lg and2020.
Please show all account numbers and the amount booked to each subaccount.
RESPONSE:
Please see Staff AR 006 Attachment A.
i/1612021 The Avlsta e.view - February 10,2U1
Gustomer experience in the Age of
the Gustomer
"Ihis is truly the 'Age of the Customer,' and l'm
confident that Avista will be there to meet and
exceed the expectations and challenges that come
with it." A message from Kevin Ghristie.
*urc 1e1 | Comment (o) | Read By (210)
Sta;tf y#rr sheiuld kn*w
Helpful healthcare
This curated list of benefits and resources is being
updated allthe time - check out what's new.
tr t-it<e 1Za; I Comment (0) | Read By (82)
Electrification - Preselving the value
of our natural gas system
Presented by the Avista PAC and Jason
Thackston on Feb. 17 at noon
The Avista PoliticalAction Committee (PAC)
presents Jason Thackston, senior VP of energy
resources & environmental compliance officer, in a discussion on House Bill
1084, Avista's involvement in the legislative process and the future of our natura!
gas business.
*ruxe 1ze1 | Comment (O) | Read By (8a)
ffitcsf,f'Wu** [r.:qc+*
{{r 3}d P,lr.$4r
From the mayor of the city of Kellogg,
ldaho
After the most recent outage our company and
customers experienced, the mayor of the City of
Kellogg sent a note to express his appreciation for
Avista's excellence in customer experience.
lnbmalcommunlcations.us.norvsweawr.cor/1d86502Jw'l/lmg26keS0rwlzcp6cslar?omail=true&lang=on&a=11&p=t416761
Stafi PR 007 Attachment A
3/5
Page 3 of 5
Frcm the Chie{ Custonrer 0ffic*r
Stay healthy
Get thr dettil*
I X ir aliinr:
21611202'.1 The Avista o.vi6w - February 10,2021
*lixe (tt) | Comment (0) | Read By (427)
[ffivrffi[
Lake Spokane floating wetlands
project
An Avista Connections story
by Annie Gannon
Avista partnered with Spokane Community College
and the Stevens County Conservation District to
implement the floating wetland project with funding
from the Washington Department of Ecology. The project recently completed its
third year on Lake Spokane. lt provided hands-on environmental education on
plant species growth, fish habitat and the ability of the floating wetland structures
to reduce wave impact.
*lire (s) lComment (1) | Read By (102)
The Aspiring Leader Program begins
a new year
by Jen Pearson
The Aspiring Leader Program offers valuable
leadership development opportunities for
corporate and utility employees who are not
currently in a formal supervisory role - applications will be accepted beginning
February 8.
*ux" (s) | Comment (0) | Read By (109)
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l\,Ji,.1,! i- liir 1,.- "
Mother nature can be unpredictable, so it's important to be prepared at home with an emergency essentials
kit.. . . https://t.co/EKMq5jpl ns
6 hours agg' rep:ly
@Kateness101 Please contact us using these methods with your address and a customer service
representative can hel p.. . https :ltggll_3Hp gbg G6 I
23 hours agc ' reply
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intemalcommunications.us.nor,swsarrer.com/1d86502jw1/1mg26kc80rw1zcpGcelzrr?emall=truo&lang=on&a=11&p=3118761
Staff PR 007 Attachment A
4t5
Page 4 of 5
Watch tlre videc
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a1at&21 TheAvtta e.vlew- Febnnry 10,2{121
Intornelcommunicaffons.us,nomvEr.codldSoSo2lixlfimg26kcS0rwlzcpocelzr?enrdffir,ofuarUeen&aElt4'FE641676'l
Stafi_PR_oo7 Attechment A Page 5 of5
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AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR TNFORMATTON
JURISDICTION
CASE NO.:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
IDAHO
AVU-E-2 1 -0 I /AVU-G -21 -01
IPUC
Production Request
Stafl-OO7
DATE PREPARED:
WITNESS:
RESPONDER:
DEPARTMENT:
TELEPHONE:
0212212021
Elizabeth Andrews
Paul Kimball
State & Federal Regulation
(s09) 4es-4s84
REQUEST:
Please provide access to all employee newsletters issued,in2019 and2020
RESPONSE:
The employee newsletter is the "e.vied'which is emailed weekly to all employees. Please see
StaflAR_007 Attachment A for a copy of the February 10, 2001 newsletter. Providing copies of
all newsletters would be unduly burdensome.
All prior newsletters are available on the Company's email servers. The Company will provide
digital access to these employee newsletters upon request.
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
ruRISDICTION
CASE NO.:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
IDAHO
AVU-E-2 1 -0 I /AW-c -2t -01
IPUC
Production Request
Staff-008
DATE PREPARED: 0212812021WITNESS: Mark Thies
RESPONDER: Lauren Pendergraft
DEPARTMENT: Finance
TELEPHONE: (s09) 49s-2998
REQUEST:
Please provide a matrix identifuing the major capital expenditure approval levels that includes
the dollar level of authorization by ernployee title, division, and company. Please include within
your response the dollar level at which the individual capital expenditures require approval by
the Company's Board of Directors ("Board of Directors").
RESPONSE:
Please refer to Thies Exhibit No. 2, Schedule 3, the Infrastructure Plan, for additional information
regarding Avista's capital planning process. The Capital Planning Group (CPG), comprised often
director-level employees from across the organization, is responsible for prioritizing capital
expenditures, allocating funds and ultimately developing a recommended five-year capital plan.
This five-year capital plan is discussed in detail with the Officer group and once agreement
regarding funding is reached it is finalized for submittal to the Finance Committee of the Board of
Directors (FC) for approval. Through this process the Officers are approving all funding through
approval of the overall plan. The FC reviews the plan and also approves funding of the individual
projects and programs by approval of the overall plan for the first year of the five-year plan. The
Officers have delegated the CPG authority to make reallocations throughout the year to
accommodate revisions and new projects to the extent that the total approved capital budget is not
exceeded. Routine updates on the capital plan are presented to Finance Committee and material
changes to the budget are approved by the Finance Committee.
Page 1 ofl
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR TNFORMATION
ruzuSDICTION:
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
IDAHO DATE PREPARED: 0212812021
AVU-E-21-01 / AVU-G-21-01 WITNESS: ElizabethAndrewsIPUC RESPONDER: Joel Anderson
Production Request DEPARTMENT: Regulatory AffairsStaff-009 TELEPHONE: [phone]
REQUEST:
Please provide an analysis of any sales of land and/or plant for the years 2019 through 2021 to
date, if any. Please show gains, losses, and supporting documentation including accounting entries
for removal of items from rate base.
RESPONSE:
Please see Staff PR_00g-Attachment A. The attachment includes a srunmary of the property sold
and a detailed listing of the joumal entries posted to FERC Account No. 412100.
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
JURISDICTION:
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
IDAHO DATE PREPARED: 0212812021
AVU-E-21-01 / AVU-G-21-01 WITNESS: ElizabethAndrewsIPUC RESPONDER: Joel Anderson
Production Request DEPARTMENT: Regulatory AffairsStaff-010 TELEPHONE: [phone]
REQUEST:
Please provide details of any planned sales of land and/or plant for the remainder of 2021through
2022. Please include within your response the estimated date of these sales and planned
accounting freatment.
RESPONSE:
There have been no sales in 2021 to date, as shown in Staff PR_009
planned sales of land or property for the remainder of 2021 and2022.
We currently have no
ruRISDICTION:
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
IDAHO DATE PREPARED: 0212812021
AVU-E-21-01 / AW-G-21-01 WITNESS: Elizabeth AndrewsIPUC RESPONDER: Joel Anderson
Production Request DEPARTMENT: Regulatory AffairsStaff-011 TELEPHONE: [phone]il
REQUEST:
Please provide a list of "out-of-period adjustments" and "extraordinary items" for the years 2019
through 2021 to date.
RESPONSE:
The Company believes there are no extraordinary items for years 2019 through2O2l year to date,
which includes the test period of twelve months ended Decernber 31,2019. Each month, as the
Results of Operations reports are prepared, the Company reviews unusual fluctuations in revenues
and expenses. Certain prior period costs are removed at that time (primarily tax return true-ups for
prior years). The Company is in the process of reviewing all non-standard joumal entries for the
period 2019-2021 to date and will supplement this response at the conclusion of that review if
applicable.
However, the following non-recurring}}lg expense did come to the Company's attention after it
filed its direct case: The Company failed to remove within its direct filing the amortization
expense associated with Project Compass that expired, in 2019. See Staff DR 0l 1 - AttachmentA. The impact of this adjustment would reduce Idaho electric expense *d r.d.r"" the Company's
requested electric revenue requirement by Approximately $669,000.
ruRISDICTION:
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
IDAHO DATE PREPARED: 0212812021
AVU-E-21-01 / AVU-G-21-01 WITNESS: ElizabethAndrewsIPUC RESPONDER: Joel Anderson
Production Request DEPARTMENT: Regulatory AffairsStaff-012 TELEPHONE: [phone]I
REQUEST:
Please provide a schedule showing injuries and damages claims over $1,000 for the years 2019
through 2021. Please include within your response the description of each item, the amount for
each item, and the account charged.
RESPONSE:
Please see Avista's response 012C, which contain TRADE SECRET, PROPRIETARY or
CONFIDENTIAL information and are separately filed under IDAPA 31.01.01, Rule 067 and
233, and Section 9-340D,Idaho Code.
Please see StaflPR_Ol2C Confidential Attachment A for the requested information.
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR TNFORMATION
JURISDICTION: IDAHO
CASE NO.: AW-E-21-0l/AVLI-G-21-01
REQUESTER: IPUCTYPE: Production Request
REQUEST NO.: Staff- 013
DATE PREPARED: 03/01/2021WITNESS: ElizabethAndrews
RESPONDER: Mary Tyne
DEPARTMENT: Communications
TELEPHONE: [phone]
REQUEST:
Please provide detail of all advertising expenses recorded above the line including account and
subaccounts where posted, dates posted, vendor names, explanations, and amounts posted during
2019 and 2020.
RESPONSE:
Cost of Customer Communications/Advertisins
Please see Staff PR_013 Attachment A for detail of all advertising expenses recorded above the
line. Due to the voluminous nature of the attachment, it is being provided in electronic format
only. See the Company's response to Staff PR_014 Attachment A for copies of advertisements.
Description of Customer Advertisins
The Company advertises on a variety of topics using a number of mediums to help inform and
educate customers about topics of importance to them. Advertising is defined by paid media
including TV, Radio, NSP, On-Line, direct mail, includes production costs, media placement costs
and printing. The main categories of communications include:
DSM Outreach & Advertising
Customers were provided information about energy efficiency tips and Avista's rebate programs
through television, print, and digital advertising - as well as our website and program partners
(e.g., confractors and equipment dealers).
Safety Advertising
Safety communication educates customers on various aspects of electric and natural gas safety,
including the importance of calling before they dig, knowing what to do if they smell natural gas,
using corlmon sense around power lines, rernoving snow off of gas meters, etc. A variety of
advertising methods are used.
Limited Income and Senior Outreach
A variety of outreach programs are focused on supporting limited income, senior, working family
and children with information and resources to assist them in managing their energy use and
energy costs. Senior outreach focuses on connecting seniors with energy assistance options and
services they may need. LIRAP provides energy efficiency tips and products to limited income
customers. Additional detail about three of the programs that are supported by the LIRAP
conservation education funds include:
Page I of2
Senior and Vulnerable Customer Outreach
Advertisements are placed in publications and newspapers in Avista's service territory that
best target senior and vulnerable adults to highlight the assistance programs and customer
billing options that are available for seniors and how to access those programs.
Enerry Fairs Outreach
Avista held Energy Fairs in 2019 inour Idaho service area in Lewiston and Coeur d'Alene
for the puipose of reaching out to limited income, senior and working families living in a
rural community with resources and information to assist them in managing their energy
costs. The events included Avista staff providing energy efficiency demonstrations,
giveaways of energy effrciency items (LEDs, door sweeps, window plastic, etc.) and
information about customer service billing and payment options. The Community Action
Partnership provided information about energy assistance grants and weatherization
progftrms. Other community partners participated by providing information on financial
counseling, fraud and scam prevention, independent living skills for those with disabilities
and health screenings were provided for all attendees.
Bill Assistance
We inform customers about comfort level billing, preferred due date, flexible payment
arrangements, energy assistance programs and energy efficiency programs. Print advertising and
emails were used to educate customers about the many options they have for managing their
energy bill. The Avista website has additional information and ways that customers can sign up for
various bill payment options.
Natural Gas
We inform customers about the benefits of natural gas through advertising (television, print and
radio) as well as direct marketing.
Other
Advertisements and customer outreach not covered in other categories are included in "Other."
This includes vegetation management outreach, meter testing information, rates communications,
customer service information, storm preparation, planned outages, community support, products
and self-serve options.
AYISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
ruRISDICTION
CASE NO.:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
IDAHO
AVU-E-2 I -0 I /AVU-G -21 -01
IPUC
Production Request
Staff- 014
DATE PREPARED: 0310112021WITNESS: Elizabeth Andrews
RESPONDER: Mary Tyne
DEPARTMENT: Communications
TELEPHONE: (s09) 49s-4470
REQUEST:
Please provide copies of all advertisements used during 2019 and2020 and correlate the
advertisement with the specific detail provided in the Company's response to Request No. 13.
RESPONSE:
Please see Staff PR 014 Attachment A.
Page 1 of1
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATTON
ruRISDICTION: IDAHO
CASE NO.: AVU-E-21-01/AVU-G-21-01
REQUESTER: IPUCTYPE: Production Request
REQUEST NO.: Staff- 015
DATE PREPARED: 0310112021WITNESS: ElizabethAndrews
RESPONDER: PaulaNichols
DEPARTMENT: Customer ServiceTELEPHONE: (s09) 49s-8s32
REQUEST:
Please provide copies of all billing inserts for 2019 and2020. Please indicate the states where they
were sent. Please also provide a schedule showing the amount and account numbers charged for
all costs to produce, print, and distribute the inserts.
RESPONSE:
Please see Staff PR_015 Attachment A for a listing of billing inserts. A zip file which includes
copies of billing inserts labeled by state. See Staff PR 015 Attachment B for the costs associated
with the inserts.
Page 1 ofl
AYISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST F'OR TNFORMATION
ruRISDICTION:
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
IDAHO
AW-E-2 r -0 I /AW-G -21 -01
IPUC
Production Request
Staff-0l6
DATE PREPARED: 0310212021WITNESS: Kaylene Schultz
RESPONDER: Kaylene Schultz
DEPARTMENT: Regulatory Affairs
TELEPHONE: [phone]
REQUEST:
Please prepare a schedule for plant in service that includes project name and description, and the
dollar amount of each project closed to plant in service in excess of $2 million from 2019 through
2021to date.
RESPONSE:
As shown in StaflPR_016 Attachment A, Avista has identified2O expenditure requests (ERs) for
which the transfers to plant in service, allocated or directly assigned to Idaho electric or Idaho
natural gas, exceeded $2 million annually in 2019 through January 2021 to date. Please see
StaflPR_0I6 Attachment A for capital project names, descriptions, and dollar values associated
with each ER. See also Avista's response to Staff PR_017 for requested information for the 20
identified.
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATTON
JURISDICTION:
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
IDAHO
AVU-E-2 I -0 1 /AVU-G -21 -01
IPUC
Production Request
Staff-017
DATE PREPARED: 0310112021WITNESS: Kaylene Schultz
RESPONDER: Business Case Owners
DEPARTMENT: Regulatory Affairs
TELEPHONE: (s09) 49s-2482
REQUEST:
Please provide copies of the cost/benefit analysis, internal rates of retum, or similar analysis for
each capital project included in the Company's response to Request No. 16.
RESPONSE:
Please see Avista's response Staff PR_017C, which contains TRADE SECRET,
PROPRIETARY or CONFIDENTIAL information and exempt from public view and is
separately filed under IDAPA 31.01.01, Rule 067 and233, and Section 9-340D,Idaho Code.
As shown in the Company's response to Staf[_PR_0 1 6, Avista has identified 20 ERs for which the
transfers to plant (additions to rate base) allocated or directly assigned to Idaho electric or Idaho
natural gas exceeded $2 million annually in 2019 through January 2021 to date. These 20 ER
names and numbers are listed below:
ER_2055 - Electric Distribution Minor Blanket
ER_2059 - Failed Electric Dist Plant-Storm
ER_2060 - Wood Pole Mgmt
ER_2204 - Substation Rebuilds
ER_2274 - New Substations
ER_2457 - Benton-Othello 115 Recond
ER_2470 - Dist Grid Modernization
ER_2531- Westside 230 kV Substation - Rebuild
ER_2555 - CDA-Pine Creek 115kV Transmission Line: Rebuild
ER_2580 - South Region Transmission Voltage Control
ER_2604 - Lind-Warden 115kV Transmission Line Rebuild
ER_2505 - Saddle Mountain lntegration
ER_2618 - Rattlesnake Flat 115kV Wind Farm Project
ER_3008 - Aldyl-A Pipe Replacement
ER_4152 - Little Falls Powerhouse Redevelopment
ER_4178 - CG HED - Gantry Crane Replacement
ER_5016 - Endpoint Compute and Productivity Systems
ER_5151 - Customer Facing Technology
ER_7060 - Strategic lnitiatives (Customer Experience Platform)*
ER_7131 - COF Long Term Restructuring Plan Phase 2
The Company has included business case justification narratives (BCJN) in the following
Company witness exhibits based on functional area:
. Exhibit No. 6 Schedule I - Customer at the Centero Exhibit No. 7 Schedule 4 - Generation and Environmental
o Exhibit No. 11 Schedule 9 - Electric Distribution, Transmission, Natural Gas Distribution,
General Plant, Fleet and Facilities Resources
o Exhibit No. 13, Schedule I - Enterprise Technology
In addition to the BCJN, we have included additional cost/benefit or similar analysis for each
capital project, where available. Where a capital project does not have a cost/benefit or similar
analysis beyond the aforementioned CIRR, we explain why such analysis was not considered. See
below for discussion of the capital projects and any related attachments.
ER_2055 - Electric Distribution Minor Blanket: This ER addresses minor rebuilds of
distribution equipment (e.g., replacing meters, services, transformers, primary lines, etc.) as well
as replacing damaged equipment. Cost/Benefit studies are not normally done on this type of work,
as per reliability standards, failed facility must be restored to operating condition immediately.
Internal Rates of Return likewise are not performed on this type of work, as the risk of
fines/penalties create a situation where it is not a viable option to leave failed plant unaddressed.
This work is considered mandatory by nature, therefore no financial justification is attached. The
following are types of work that are primarily reactionary, due to failure or protection against
future failure. The following are examples of the types of work performed:
Customer Requested: Reroute/Conversion, Customer Load Increase
Trouble: Car Hit Pole/Padmount Transformer (Including Damage Claims), Failed
Equipment (Emergency Response), Copper Theft Repair
NESC / Operating Standard Violations: National Electric Safety Code ('NESC")
Violation (Not related to Joint Use), Secondary/Service Related Voltage Mitigation,
Fusing / Feeder Protection Mitigation, Aerial Trespass, Undersized Equipment
(Transformers, regulators, etc. )
Asset Condition: Deteriorated Pole, Failing Equipment (not outage related), Leaking
Transformers, Replacement of Line Devices (Condition Driven, End of Life)
Facility Upgrades / Efficiency Improvements: Small Scale Reconductor, Small Scale
Feeder Ties, New Switches and Sectionalizing Devices, Feeder Balancing, New Voltage
Regulators, Midline Reclosers, Capacitor Banks, Open Wire Secondary Removal
o Facility Reroute / Location Modifications: Overhead to Underground Conversion,
Facility Reroute, Relocate Midline Devices
ER_2059 - Failed Electric Dist Plant-Storm: Cost-benefit analysis studies are not normally
done on this type of work, as per reliability standards, failed facility must be restored to operating
condition immediately. This work is considered mandatory by nature, therefore no financial
justification is attached. The Electric Storm business case provides funding for rapid response to
unplanned damages and outages so customer outages are minimized. When storm events occur,
the business provides funds for replacing poles, cross arms, conductor, transformers, and all other
defined retirement units damaged during storm events. The damage can be due to high winds,
heavy ice and snow loads, lightning strikes, flooding, or wildfires. The importance of quickly
replacing damaged facility is vital to providing reliable service to our customers. The annual
a
o
a
o
budget amount is determined based on historical normal average experience rate of Capital
restoration work.
ER-2060 - Wood Pole Management: The Company's Wood Pole Management (!VPM)
Program was designed with a reliability focus. Wood poles naturally fail as they age. Across
Avista's service territory, we have poles that are nearing 100 years old. The Wood pole
Management Program proactively identifies the poles most likely to fail before they do so,
potentially causing customer outages. In fact, according to Avista's failure data,29o/o of pole
failures result in customer outages. Replacing poles prior to failure in a prescriptive, preventive
fashion helps the Company keep costs lower, as replacing a pole on an emergency basii increases
costs. Thus, this program provides lower costs and a higher level of reliability for our customers
over the long term. Please see Staff-PR-0l7 Attachment A for details regarding the calculated
IRR.
Based on a2017 analysis, provided in StaflPR-0l7 Attachment B, the Company'soo21l7 Wood
Pole Managernent Program Review and Recommendations", the current twenty-year WPM cycle
delivers the best life cycle value for the funding level. Asset Managernent and Distribution
Engineering monitor system reliability to determine if adjustrnents are needed in the future. For
perspective the industry average for inspecting and maintaining distribution assets is ten years.
WPM is an ongoing cyclical program that proactively replaces aging assets. By replacing assets
before they fail, outage risks are reduced, and replacement costs are reduced through planned
work. Investing in the infrastructure increases life-cycle performance and is cost effective using
unit-based pricing. There is significant improvement in "events per mile of feeder" resulting from
this program. The peak of events per mile shown in the gaph is from approximately six years ago
when there were nearly 1.5 events per mile. The results after the program show perfor-arce ut
low as .3 events per mile of feeder, a significant improvement.
If funding were to be reduced, expected outages would increase. The team would need to
prioritize which components would be replaced and which would be left. This would increase the
likelihood that crews would need to revisit the same pole later if a remaining component were to
fail. While the five-year cycle does provide a better Customer Intemal Rate of Return of 8.85%,
the five-year cycle O&M costs exceeded our historical spending constraint. The internal rate of
retum for a twenty-year cycle is 8.00%.
ERJ,204 - Substation Rebuilds: Replacing and upgrading major substation apparatus and
equipment as it approaches end of life or becomes obsolete is necessary to maintain safe and
reliable operation of Avista's transmission and distribution systems. Rebuilding significant
portions of stations may be necessary to accommodate the replacement of failing or obsolete
equipment since new standard-use apparatus and equipment is often of higher capacity and newer
technology and may need to meet updated equipment spacing and operating standards. The
Engineering Round table (ERT), a cross-departmental team with representatives from Asset
Management, Compliance, Systern Planning, System Operations, Telecommunications,
Transmission Contracts, Protection Engineering, Substation Engineering, Transmission
Engineering, and Substation Support, manages the prioritization of projects within this business
case as supported by System Planning analysis, Asset Management studies and input from subject
matter experts. Please see Staff-PR-0l7 Attachment C for an example of a System Planning
Analysis and Staff-PR-Ol7 D-F for examples of Asset Management studies, both dernonstrate the
types of analysis used to determine Substation Rebuild projects. Please also note the examples and
descriptions provided in the business case on page 79 of Exhibit No 11, Schedule 9 in Company
witness Ms. Rosentrater's testimony.
p,p.J274 - New Substations: New distribution substations added to the systern for load gpwth
andleliability are critical to the long-term operation of the system. As load demands increase and
customer expectations rise regarding reliability, incrernental distribution substation capacity is
required. The capacity on the electric system to be able to take components out of service on a
planned basis so that maintenance or replacements can be made has reduced as load demands have
increased. The Engineering Round table (ERT), a cross-departmental team with representatives
from Asset Management, Compliance, Systern Planning, System Operations,
Telecommunications, Transmission Contracts, Protection Engineering, Substation Engineering,
Transmission Engineering, and Substation Support, manages the prioritization of projects within
this business case as supported by Systern Planning analysis, Asset Management studies and input
from subject matter experts. Please see Staff-PR-0l7 Attachment C for a Systern Planning Study
and Staff-PR-Ql7 D-F for examples of Asset Management studies, as examples of the types of
analysis used to determine New Substation projects.
p;-]457 - Benton-Othello L15 Recond: The 2011 Big Bend Planning Assessment identified
thermal capacity issues on the Avista owned segments of the Benton - Othello SS 115 kV
Transmission Line during Category C contingencies. Stations served by the line are observed with
low voltages during several different contingencies. Transmission Planning recommends the
Avista owned portion of the line be reconductored due to the potential for thermal overload issues.
Contingency power flow analysis was performed on the existing transmission systern to establish a
baseline of existing performance issues. The power flow analysis was conducted on several
scenarios as presented in Staff-PR-0l7 Attachment G, the Company's "Benton-Othello SS I l5kV
Reconductor Study Report". Further justification for the reconductor project could be developed
based on present condition of the facilities and potential efficiency gains. The altematives
considered did not require in-depth analysis because they would result in either non-compliance
with federal transmission standard or undertaking a more complex and expensive project with a
lead time that would be unacceptable. Alternatives considered in the ERT process are stated in
Staff-PR-O 1 7 Attachment H.
ER_2470 - Distribution Grid Modernization Blanket: This ER addresses the replacement of
undersized and deteriorating conductors, failed and end-of-life infrastructure materials including
wood poles, cross arms, fuses and insulators. Work performed under this ER represents required
capital maintenance to provide safe and reliable service to customers. Please see Staff-PR-Ol7
Attachment I for details regarding the calculated IRR.
ER_2531 - Westside 230 kV Substation Rebuild: This project is necessary to mitigate our
current noncompliance with mandatory NERC transmission planning standards during heavy
sunmer loading conditions. Failure to make these planned investments will result in our failure to
comply with mandatory NERC standards. We will continue to overload the Westside #1
7,1hl5kV transformer during Phase I of this project, which overloading will extend to the
existing Westside Substation 115kV and 230kV buses, to allow for installation of a new 250MVA
23)ll15kV Autotransformer. The additional transformation capacity is necessary to eliminate
transformer overload contingencies in the Spokane area. Please see Staff-PR-0I7 Attachments J-L
for documentation on cost benefit and altematives related to this ER.
ER_2556 - CDA-Pine Creek 115 kV Transmission Line: This program reconductors and
rebuilds existing transmission lines to maintain compliance with NERC fransmission planning
standards. Invesfinents mitigate NERC transmission planning standard (TPL-001-4) deficiencies
that have already been identified for both our current system and for the near-term transmission
planning horizon (1-5 years). Failure to make these planned investments will result in our failure
to comply with mandatory NERC standards. Please see Staff-PR-l7 Attachments M-O for
documentation on cost benefit and alternatives.
ER-2580 - South Region Transmission Voltage Control: The South Region Transmission
Voltage Control project was a mandatory and compliance project necessary to correct ongoing
issues with high voltage on the 230 kV transmission system in the Lewiston/Clarkston area. ffre
high voltage problem is persistent most months of the year (the exception is heavy sunmer loading
months) and the high voltage peaks during the ovemight hours. Due to the compliance nature o?
this project, cost/benefit analysis nor IRR were considered. The altematives considered did not
require in-depth analysis because they would result in non-compliance with NERC regulations.
Please see Staff-PR-0l7 Attachment P for the business case completed for this project.
ER-2604 - Lind-Warden 115kV Transmission Line Rebuild: This ER is part of the
Rattlesnake Flat Wind 115kV Integration Project business case, which is contained in Company
witness Ms. Rosentrater's ExhibitNo. 11 Schedule 9, beginning onpage l22.pleasesee ER 26lg:
Rattlesnake Flat 115kV Wind Farm Project for more information.
ER-2605 - Saddle Mountain Integration: In the fall of 2013, Grant County PUD employees
contacted Avista System Planning about performance issues within Grant's system that are
exacerbated by Avista's load in the Othello area. The issue was escalated to Columbia Grid
through the Regional Planning process. It was identified through this process and Avista System
Planning that the system performance analysis indeed indicates an inability of the System to meet
the performance requirements Pl, P2 andP6 categories in Table I of NERC TPL-001-4 in current
heavy surnmer scenarios, and P6 categories in heavy winter scenarios.
The Saddle Mountain 230-ll5kv Station Integration Project is one of two large scale projects
taking place in the Othello region of Avista's service territory, with the other being the Rattlesnake
Flats Wind Farm Integration Project. Both projects are part of an area initiative designed to
support native Avista load while also integrating renewable energy generation resources in
accordance with FERC regulations and requirements.
The scope recommended for Phase I of the project consisted of the following:
o Construct a 3 - position 230 kV double bus double breaker arrangement (Saddle Mountain
230kV portion) with space for 2 future positions at the line crossing of the Walla Walla -Wanapum 230 kV and Benton - Othello 115 kV transmission lineso Construct a3 position 115 kV breaker and a half arrangement (Saddle Mountain llskv
portion) with space for 3 future positionso Install 250 MVA Transformer (Saddle Mountain transformation)o Rebuild entire 8.28 miles of Othello - Warden No.l 115 kV line with minimum 205 MVA
capacityo Rebuild 2.88 miles of Othello - Warden No. 2 I 15 kV line with minimum 205 MVA capacityo Note: Final station site location required construction of 2-miles of 230kV transmission line
and 3-miles of 115kV transmission line.
The scope recommended for Phase 2 of the project consists of the following:
o Rebuild Othello City to 115 kV Ring Bus with 5 positionso Build new line from Saddle Mountain 115 kV to Othello City Station l l5kVo Rebuild existing Othello SS-Warden #2llsky Line between Lee &Reynolds and Wardeno Note: Phase 2 is scheduled to complete by 2022
ER_2618 - Rattlesnake Flat 115kV Wind Farm Project: The Interconnection Customer
repiesenting the Rattlesnake Flat Wind Farm Development (Avista lnterconnection Project lA9)
proposed construction of a new 144MW nameplate capacity wind generation facility, and chose an
interconnection to Avista's Lind-Washtucna l l5kV Transmission Line at a point approximately
4.5 miles southeast of Avista's Lind Substation. The Point of Interconnection (POI) was a new
3-position ring bus Neilson Substation with a line position dedicated to the Interconnection
Customer. The Interconnection Customer chose the POI from several options developed by
Avista's Transmission Planning Group during the FERC-mandated interconnection study process.
Per the FERC process, the Interconnection Customer and Avista signed an Interconnection
Agreement that includes required completion of this project.
The scope recommended consisted of the following:
o Rebuild 22 miles of 115 kV transmission with OPGW from Lind-Warden - permitting,
engineering, design, procurement and construction (includes Distribution Underbuild)
o Rebuild 4.5 miles of 115 kV transmission with Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) from Neilson to
Lind - permitting, engineering, design, procurernent and construction (includes Distribution
Underbuild)o Point of Interconnection 115 kV Substation (Neilson) - engineering, design, procurement and
construction of (2) line positions, protection and control of a 3-position ring bus station
o Construct Communications Path(s) for Operation of the (PO! 115 kV Neilson switching
station, Lind Substation, and Warden Substation - engineering, design, licensing, land
acquisition, building construction, and installation
o Lind Substation capacity upgrades 115 kV substation -engineering, design, procurement and
installation of protection and control (two relay upgrades and mobile installation)
o Replacement of the Roxboro circuit switcher - engineering, design, procurement and
installation of protection and control (includes mobile installation)
o Warden Substation capacity upgrades - engineering, design, procurement and installation of
protection and control (two breaker replacernents, two relay upgrades, and one relay
modification)o Othello Switching Station capacity upgrades - engineering, design, procurement and
installation of protection and control construction (two relay upgrades)
ER_3008 - Aldyt -A Pipe Replacement: The Gas Facilities Replacement Program (GFRP) was
designed with a safety and reliability focus. Avista's Asset Management Group conducted
analysis of the pipeline within Avista's natural gas system. Results of the analysis indicated that
specific, vintage Aldyl-A main natural gas pipeline and service tee transitions within Avista's
natural gas system, were at risk of developing cracks over time, which might lead to natural gas
leaks. Company witness Ms. Rosentrater sponsors in her filed testimony Exhibit No. 11 Schedule
5, the o'Proposed Protocol for Managing Select Aldyl-A Pipe in Avista Utilities' Natural Gas
Systefir", which is the report detailing the various time horizons modeled for the Gas Facilities
Replacernent Program.
To address this risk, Avista's Gas Facilities Replacement Program was initiated and responsible
forreplacemerfiof 737 milesoftheatriskAldyl-Amainpipelineandrebuild of 17,769 oftheat
risk Service Tee Transitions. Replacing the at risk Aldyl-A pipe and Service Tee Transitions prior
to failure in a prescriptive, preventive fashion helps the Company keep costs lower, whereas
replacing on an emergency basis increases costs. Thus, this program provides lower costs and a
higher level of reliability for our customers over the long term.
ER_4152 - Little tr'alls Powerhouse Redevelopment: This ER falls under the Little Falls Plant
Upgrade business case, which addresses the modernizationof the Little Falls facility. The existing
equipment prior to undertaking this project ranged from 60 to over 100 years old. As a result,
Avista began to experience increases in forced outages at the Little Falls facility. Please see
Staff-PR-0t7 Attaclunent Q, which is a presentation detailing the increases in forced outages since
2004.
ER_4178 - CG HED - Gantry Crane Replacement: Concerns regarding the crane's lifting
capacity, resulting in a more thorough investigation was deemed necessary following the crane's
use in returning the Unit I rotor to the stator following the field pole refurbishment in September
2015. A May 2017 inspection by Simmers Crane Design & Services determined that the
rehabilitation of the crane was necessary. With consideration of the investigation results, a
professional services agreement for rehabilitation was executed between Avista and Simmers
Crane Design & Services in March 2018.
The generating units of any hydro plant require servicing necessitating the removal of intemal
components such as the rotor, generator shaft and turbine shaft. Of the four generating units at
Cabinet Gorge, Unit 1 is the largest and heaviest (the rotor with lifting device weighs
approximately 330 tons). The crane's nameplate rating is 275 tons but, it has been authorized for
occasional lifts of 125% per American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Code Section
830.2-3.1.7. Dtring a lift performed by the crane in September 2015, the mechanical team
discontinued use of the main hoist motor due to operational inconsistencies. A decision was made
to use the micro drive in lieu of the main hoist motor for the remainder of the lift, however, long
term use of the micro-drive was not sustainable. Sustainable operation mandates that the Cabinet
Gorge gantry crane must have a minimum lifting capacity of 330 tons in order to lift the
components of Unit 1. The rehabilitation executed resulted in satisfring the minimum lifting
capacity as prescribed, please see Staff-PR-0I7 Attachment R for the Proof Load Testing Form to
support meeting load capacity.
ER_5016 - Endpoint Compute and Productivity Systems: The Endpoint Compute and
Productivity Systems Business Case is driven by managing technology replacernent according to
manufacturer product roadmaps with an objective to maintain infrastructure perfornance,
reliability, security, and align infrastructure assets with business dernand for capacity. Cost benefit
analyses or Internal Rate of Return are not calculated for the Endpoint Compute Business Case as
technology vendors determine hardware and software lifecycles and therefore, it is not appropriate
to calculate arate of refurn or cost benefit.
Technology solutions under this program include, but are not limited to, technology required
day-to-day to automate and enable business processes, such as Personal Computer (PC) hardware
and their operating systems, various handheld devices, printers, configuration and management
systems, productivity tools (e.g. Office 365), etc. The costs associated with each solution can vary
by the scale of the solution deployed, as well as vendor licensing models. Therefore, each
technology under this program undergoes regular review of the levels of utilization and
performance to determine if it is meeting the expected performance standards and capacity
requirements to maintain systern reliability under the established budget constraints. The
Company references various technology vendors and independent third-party resources to stay
informed of technology life cycles and recommend decisions on the various technology
investments.
ER_5151 - Customer Facing Technolory: The Customer Facing Technology Program
implernents and maintains the technology necessary to enable our customers to self-serve on
Avista's digital channels such as our website, mobile app, text/SMS, and phone system. A
cost/benefit analysis or an internal rate of return was not calculated for the Customer Facing
Technology business case. The benefits and supporting information are outlined in the business
case justification narrative (see Exhibit No. 6 Schedule 1) and Company witness Mr. Magalsky's
direct testimony.
ER_7060 - Strategic Initiatives (Customer Experience Platform): The Customer Experience
Platform (CXP) is the next evolution of our customer technology and aims to create a single
interface and provide a consistent and comprehensive view of each customer, their preferences,
past interactions, communications, and history with Avista with the goal of creating a more
personalized experience with Avista. A cost/benefit analysis or an internal rate of return was not
calculated for the CXP strategic initiative business case. The benefits and supporting information
are outlined in the business case justification narrative (see Exhibit No. 6 Schedule 1) and
Company witness Mr. Magalsky's direct testimony.
ER_7131 - COF Long Term Restructuring Plan Phase 2: Phase 2 of this plan is a continuation
of the long-term program to meet our ongoing and future operating needs by renovating,
improving and expanding our existing central office and operating facilities. This phase is
composed of three major projects that include re-routing a city street adjacent to our campus in
2017 , constructing a new building for our fleet operations in 2017 and 2018, and constructing a
parking garage in 2019. Please see Staff-PR-Ol7C CONFIDENTIAL Attachment S for the
Parking Garage Analysis.
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
ruRISDICTION:
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
IDAHO
AVU-E-2 I -0 I /AVU-G -21 -01
IPUC
Production Request
Staff-0l8
DATE PREPARED: 0310112021WITNESS: Kaylene Schultz
RESPONDER: Kaylene Schultz
DEPARTMENT: Regulatory AflairsTELEPHONE: (509\ 49s-2482
REQUEST:
Please provide all documents the Company used to demonstrate the benefits realized by the
Company for each capital project included in the Company's response to Request No. 16.
RESPONSE:
Please see the Company's response to Staff_PR_0l7 for a detailed description of all ER's
cost/benefit over the $2 million threshold discussed above.
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
JURISDICTION
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
IDAHO
AVU-E-2 1 -0 I /AVU-G -21 -01
IPUC
Production Request
Staff-O19
DATE PREPARED: 0310112021WITNESS: Mark Thies
RESPONDER: Lauren Pendergraft
DEPARTMENT: Finance
TELEPHONE: (509') 495-2998
REQUEST:
Please provide copies of the monthly, quarterly, and annual comparison of operating and capital
budget to actuals expenditures for 2018 through 2021 to date. Please include within your response
a narrative explanation for budget variations. This should include, but not be limited to, written
operating and capital budget variance reports and explanations used by Company officers and
managers to monitor and control budgets under their responsibility. Please supplernent your
response as additional information becomes available throughout 2021.
RESPONSE:
Please see Avista's response 019C, which contains TRADE SECRET, PROPRIETARY or
CONFIDENTIAL information and exempt from public view and is separately filed under IDAPA
31.01.01, Rule 067 and233, and Section 9-340D, Idaho Code.
Please see Staff AR_019C Confidential Attachment A, a folder that contains the requested
information by year and by month, for capital expenditures actual to budget comparisons by
expenditure request (ER) and operating expenses acfual to budget comparisons with variance
explanations by organi zation code (departrnent).
Avista Corp. lnternal Audit Reports
20L9
Advanced Metering lnfrastructure (AMl) Prudence Review
AEL&P lncentive Plan audit
Alation lmplementation Audit
Avista Corp. lncentive Plan Review
Budget System Replacement Review
Certificate Lifecycle M a nagement Follow-U p Review
Colstrip Fuel Supply and Transportation Audit
Colstrip Power Plant Operations Audit
Database Review for Social Security Numbers
Debt lssuance and Reacquisition Costs Review - Regulatory Requirement
Employee and Board of Director Expense Audit
Enterprise Content Management - Accounts Payable Follow-Up
Enterprise Patching Follow-Up Review
First Care Clinic Physical Security Review
LocalTT 9OlL0 Healthcare Premium True-Up Review
Materials lssuance and Returns Controls Review
Mobile Payment Review
Mongo Database Risk Review
Parking Garage Contract Review
Price Reporting Audit
Security Program Review
Steam Plant Kitchen and Brewery Follow-Up Review
Steam Plant Kitchen and Brewery lnternalControls Review
2020
AEL &P lncentive Plan Audit
AMlPrudence Review
Avista Corp. lncentive Plan Review
Cabinet Gorge Fish Passage Review
Colstrip Fuel Supply and Transportation Audit
Commodity Procurement Risk Review
Debt Issuance and Reacquisition Costs Review - Regulatory Requirement
Demand Side Management Review
LocalTT 90-10 True-up Review
Price Reporting Audit
2021 ffhroush Februarv 22. 20211
Avista Corp. lncentive Plan Review
Staff_PR_020 Attachment A Page 1 of I
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR TNFORMATION
ruRISDICTION:
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
IDAHO DATE PREPARED
AVU-E-21.01 / AVU-G-2I-01 WITNESS:IPUC RESPONDER:
Production Request DEPARTMENT:Staff-020 TELEPHONE:
0212812021
Mark Thies
Janice Gibler
Internal Audit
(s0e) 4es-8008
REQUEST:
Please provide copies of all Audit Reports issued by the Company's internal auditors for all audits
completed during 2019 through20zl to date.
RESPONSE:
Staff PR_020 Attachment A is a listing of our 2019 -2021ifiernal audit reports as of February
22,2021. Providing copies of all the reports would be unduly burdensome. Staff will have digital
access to these materials when requested, or the Company can provide copies of specific reports
identified by Staff.
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR TNFORMATTON
ruRISDICTION
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
IDAHO
AW-E-2 1 -0 1 /AW-c -21 -01
IPUC
Production Request
StaffiO21
DATE PREPARED: 0310412021WITNESS: Mark Thies
RESPONDER: Adam Munson
DEPARTMENT: Accounting
TELEPHONE: (s09) 49s-2471
REQUEST:
Please provide a copy of each adjusting journal enfiy proposed by the Company's independent
auditors in the two most recent audits of the Company. Please include within your response the
documentation supporting these adjushnents, and the documentation supporting any items that
the Company decided not to adjust that are not reflected in the Company's financial records
and/or fi nancial statements.
RESPONSE:
There were no adjusting entries proposed. Please see Staff ?R 021 Attachment A and B for the
"passed upon" adj ustrnents.
DocuSign Envelope lD: 90FD2AD1-8841-4EE9-B41 E-B3A0EA58FDBo
Appendix A
Summary of Misstatements for the Year Ended Decembcr 31, 2020
D*riptim (se ammpmying hgcnd forAppodirA)Ash
Debit (Crcdit) in $000s
Liabiliris Equity Net hcome
MISSTATEMENIS - Arconccred ot paiod ad
,d Colrtrip Accruel
UtilityPhnt
Accouts Pryrble
s (rrl2)
$ rr12
B. Ycerend AP Accrud Adjustrmts
Udity Plrnt
Accout! pryrble
Oprcndng Erpres
$ (r,666)
$1,60s
61
C. LincofCrcditTiring
Csh
Linc ofCredit
$ (1,000)
$ 1,000
D. METALfi f,,rcm Cluifietion
CuEtAssB
Non-CmtAscts
$
$
1,105
(r,105)
Cumulativc Incom Trr Impact (217o)
Inomc ter cxpre o3)
TOTAL CURRENT PBRIOD MISSIATEMDNTS - IRON CURTAIN APPROACH $ (3,r7r)3,E17 $-$6l
MISSTATEMENIS - Comctul atpniod ild
E. Cruc Printing Erpcuu Relas 0 (rr83)
G,063)
269
F. Incore Trx - IRS Propolcd Adjutment
Cumulativc Income Tax Imprct (217o)
ItrcoDG tar GrlEn$
TOTAL CURRENT PERIOD MISSTATEMENTS - ROLII)VER
APPROACH
$
$e,0rq
Staff_PR_O2 1 Attachment A Page 1 of 1
DocuSign Envelope lD; 72324F52-3346417 5-83F4-e87 1F 1 82101 1
Appendix A
Summary of Misstatements for the Year Ended December 31, 2019
OescrlpUon (3ee .ccompanylng legond for Appendlx Al AE3et3
D.blt (Clcdlt) ln 10003
Ltabtltg.s Equtty Net lncomc
MTSSfATE[tElrrS - Uncontcla,d at perlod and
A. lncome T.x . lRS Propos.d AdJustmont
lncom6 la( expense
Acqued taxes payable
$'1,063
$ (1,063)
B. Rotlree todlcet and Acflve Wthholdlng3
Accounts receivable
Accounts payable
Capital
Administrative exp€nses
Regulatory asset
$720
(262)
(s00)
$436
$
$(3e4)
$
C. Rlght of Ule Asret and Lease Llablllty
Right of use asset
Loeso liability (long term)
Lease liability (short term)
$ (4,048)
$
$
4,029
19
TOTAL CURRENT PERIOD IISSTATEMENTS. IRON CURTAIN APPROACH -tr-600t $3,421 -r-$
ff SSfArEirEMS - Corrtf,lN at pedod end
No Conoc,ted Entries
Cumulatlve lncomo Tax lmp.ct (21%)
lncome tax expense
TOTAL CURRENT PERIOD UISSTATEMENTS . ROLLOVER APPROACH
$83
$752
Staff_PR_o2 1 Attachment B Page 1 of 1
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR TNFORMATTON
JURISDICTION:
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
IDAHO
AVU-E-2 I -0 I /AVU-G -2t -01
IPUC
Production Request
Staff-022
DATE PREPARED: 0212812021WITNESS: ElizabethAndrews
RESPONDER: Janessa Stromberger
DEPARTMENT: Projects & Fixed Assets
TELEPHONE: [phone]s38
REQUEST:
Please provide a list of all leased items from 2019 through 2021to date. Please separate capital
leases from operating leases and show the dates, terms, amounts, and accounts used for each lease.
RESPONSE:
Please see StaflPR_\22 Attachment A for a list of all leased items in2019,2020 and202l
year-to-date.
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
ruRISDICTION: IDAHO
CASE NO: AW-E-21-01/AVU-G-21-01
REQUESTER: IPUCTYPE: Production Request
REQUEST NO.: Staff- 023
DATE PREPARED
WITNESS:
RESPONDER:
DEPARTMENT:
TELEPHONE:
02128t2021
Elizabeth Andrews
Anna Smith
Utility Accounting
(509) 4es-8e33
REQUEST:
Please provide a schedule of prepaid items for 2019 through 2021 to date showing amounts posted,
vendor names, explanations, and accounts to which these items were booked. Please include within
your response any significant changes to prepaid items occurring or planned to occur in202l and
2022.
RESPONSE:
Please see Avista's response 023C, which contains TRADE SECRET, PROPRIETARY or
CONFIDENTIAL information and exempt from public view and is separately filed under IDAPA
31.01.01, Rule 067 and233, and Section 9-340D, Idaho Code.
Please see StaflPR_O23C Confidential Attachment A for the requested information.
JURISDICTION
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
IDAHO DATE PREPARED: 0212512021
AVU-E-21-01 /AVU-G-21-01 WITNESS: ElizabethAndrewsIPUC RESPONDER: Tia Benjamin
Production Request DEPARTMENT: Regulatory AffairsStaft-024 TELEPHONE: [phone]
REQUEST:
For each officer of the Company, please provide the total dollar amount ofremuneration for 2018
through 2021. Please separate by year, salary, incentive pay, options, benefits, and other. For each
officer, please provide the percentages of his or her total remuneration that is allocated to other
subsidiaries each year along with the basis for that allocation.
RESPONSE:
Please see Avista's response 024C, which contain TRADE SECRET, PROPRIETARY or
CONFIDENTIAL information and are separately filed under IDAPA 31.01.01, Rule 067 and
233, and Section 9-340D,Idaho Code.
Please see Staff PR_024C Confidential Attachment A for total compensation for executive
officers for 2018-2020. Data is provided categorized by FERC account and expenditure type
(regular payroll, paid time off, incentive). lncluded within the data are charges to non-utility
accounts which are not included in the Company's rates. Benefits and payroll taxes are part of an
overall labor loader and are not tracked at the employee level. Overhead rates are applied to the
general ledger account where the direct labor charges originate. The company doesn't have data
for 2021however has provided estimates for the year in Adjustment 3.01 and 3.02. Please see the
Company's response to StaflPR_O25 for additional information on incentive compensation.
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
JURISDICTION: IDAHO
CASE NO: AVU-E-2I-01/AVU-G-2I-01
REQUESTER: IPUCTYPE: Production Request
REQUEST NO.: Staff-025
DATE PREPARED: 0310412021WITNESS: ElizabethAndrews
RESPONDER: Tia Benjamin
DEPARTMENT: Regulatory Affairs
TELEPHONE: [phone]
REQUEST:
Please provide the following direct labor related information as recorded for the twelve months
ended December 31, 2018 through 2020. Information, where applicable, should be listed by O&M
expense, other expense, construction and other account groups (listed by functional categories,
i.e., generation, transmission, distribution, customer, A&G, etc.). Please provide the information
on a system-wide basis, and on an Idaho electric and Idaho gas jurisdiction basis. The response
should include wages and salaries for each employee category (officer, exempt, non-exempt, and
union), paid time-off, overtime, bonuses, incentive pay, and overheads for pension, benefits, and
payroll taxes. Please also include average and year-end number of onployees by ernployee
category. Include part-time and temporary ernployees as full-time equivalents.
RESPONSE:
Please see StaflPR_025 Attachment A for 2018-2020 total labor and benefit charges for Systern
Electric and System natural gas. I Data is provided by report category (capital, O&M,
non-operating, etc.), by functional category (Administrative and General, Distribution,
Transmission, etc.) and by expenditure type (loading, overtime, paid time ofi regular labor). Data
is not readily available by employee category. Please note benefit compensation is an overhead
loader which is applied to the general ledger account the labor costs originate from.
Please see StaflPR_025 Attachment B for 2018-2020 incentive compensation (actual paid). Data
is provided by report category and employee group (executive, non-executive, exernpt, union).
Please see Staff PR_025 Attachment C for the year-end employees by type, and report category
on a system basis. Please note the Full Time Equivalents (FTE) are calculated based on total hours
for the year divided by 2080. The Company's general ledger system does not track employees by
FTE.
I Please see Andrews workpapers (1.00) Results of Operations and Allocation Factors for the Idaho Electric and Idaho
Natural Gas allocation factors.
JURISDICTION:
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
IDAHO DATE PREPARED
AVU-E-21.01 / AVU-G.2I.01 WITNESS:IPUC RESPONDER:
Production Request DEPARTMENT:Staff-026 TELEPHONE:
0212512021
Elizabeth Andrews
Tia Benjamin
Regulatory Affairs
(s0e) 49s-222s
REQUEST:
Please provide the quantifiable savings from any cost/workforce reduction programs during the
past five years. Please provide any additional workforce reduction programs planned for 2021
through 2022.
RESPONSE:
The last quantifiable workforce reduction was completed in 2012 wtththe Company's Voluntary
Severance Incentive Plan (VSIP). Since VSIP, no workforce reduction programs have been made
and none are currently anticipated. However, in an effort to mitigate the annual growth in
operating expenses, Avista has ongoing hiring restrictions, which requires approval by the
Chairman/President/CEO, the President of the Utility, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Vp of
Safety and Human Resources for all replacement or new hire positions.
In addition to base wages, the Company also provides variable pay (in the form of pay-at-risk
incentive compensation) and a comprehensive benefit package. Each component is carefully
considered within the overall package in order to provide total compensation, which will be
cost-effective for the Company, remain attractive to ernployees, and is an effective recruitment
tool. In order to manage costs for total compensation, adjustnents have been made to the benefits
portion of compensation. Please see the Company's response to StaflPR_O27 for additional
information regarding benefits and retirement plans. See also Staff PR_032 for an explanation of
the basis for setting employee compensation by employee group.
JURISDICTION
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATTON
IDAHO DATE PREPARED: 02125t2021
AVU-E-21-01 / AW-G-21-01 WITNESS: ElizabethAndrewsIPUC RESPONDER: Tia Benjamin
Production Request DEPARTMENT: Regulatory AffairsStaff-027 TELEPHONE: [phone]
REQUEST:
Please summarize all benefit and retirement plans provided to any classification of Company
employees. Please also include any changes that have occurred to the benefits/accruals during the
past five years.
RESPONSE:
All regular employees, including Executive Officers, are eligible for the Company's QualifiedDefined Benefit plan (hires after 01.01.14 - see below), the Company's 401(k) plan, health and
dental coverage, Company-paid term life insurance, disability insurance, paid time off and paid
holidays. This benefit package offers several choices as to the type of medical plan, dental plan,
life insurance, etc. to determine the best fit for the employee's circumstances. These plans are
designed to be competitive with the overall market practices and are in place to attract and retain
the talent needed in the business. As with all portions of the plan, the Company works with a
third-party administrator to determine the annual rates for the Company and for each individual
employee based on their elections.l
Medical - Avista sponsors a self-funded medical benefit plan that provides various levels of
coverage for medical, dental and vision. Avista encourages employees to take responsibility for
their health care decisions and make lifestyle changes to avoid health care issues. The Company
also encourages participants to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles, and use health care wisely.
Proactive programs are set up to help individuals change their behaviors and live a healthier life.
The Company addresses this by using a health continuum; low risk (Wellness), moderate risk
(Wellness, Lifestyle Health Coaching) and high risk (Disease Management, Case Management).
As noted above, Avista provides various wellness progmms in an effoft to proactively manage
medical expense claims. In addition, the Company has implemented several measures to keep
medical costs down. To keep office visit costs down, we offer access to phone or web-based24l7
telemedicine services and an on-site clinic. We have limited our exposure to large claims through
an insurance policy with annual stop-loss limits of $275,000 per person. When employees do
require medical care for catastrophic conditions, we have a case management progftlm managed
by a third-party administrator to help manage these costs. To keep prescription drug costs down,
the Company has contracted with specialty pharmacies who help participants determine the most
economic treatment options.
I The Company also offers Optional and Dependent Life insurance, Voluntary Accidental Death and Dismemberrnent
Insurance, Group Legal Services, and miscellaneous other benefits. Expenses related to these benefits are borne by
the employee and are not included in the Company's case. For this reason, and the immaterial nature of the cost, we
have not described these benefits in this response.
In addition, effective January l,2Ol4 the Company made the following changes to the medical
plan offered to employees:
For non-bargaining employees hired or rehired on or after January 1,2014, and Local
Union 659 employees hired or rehired on or after April 1,2014, upon retirement the
Company no longer provides a contribution towards his or her medical premiums. The
Company will provide access to the retiree medical plan, but the retiree will pay the full
cost of premiums upon retirement.
Manage Utilization of Specialty Drugs - The Company reviews measures to lower the
cost of prescription drugs including requiring prior authoization, and implementing
step therapy.
a
a
Beginning January l,2O2O, the method for calculating health insurance premiums for
the following employee groups changed: non-bargaining retirees, Local Union 659,
hired or rehired after April 1,2014 under age 65, and active non-bargaining employees
hired or rehired after April 1,2014 under age 65. Revisions will result in separate health
insurance premium calculations for retirees and active ernployees beginning January 1,
2020.
Finally, as of 2017, Avista offers a self-insured High Deductible Health Plan ("HDHP") in
addition to the current self-insured plan. The HDHP requires plan participants to pay all costs of
medical care up to defined deductible limits. This plan enforces the message to participants to
manage their own health with an array of tools to assist them in becoming better consumers. Over
time we expect this plan to result in lower overall medical costs to the Company. The level of cost
savings is dependent upon, among other things, the number of employees that choose this plan,
and the level ofutilizationofmedical care for those ernployees (i.e., the overall medical expense to
the Company under the High Deductible plan versus the old plan for those particular employees
and their families). The level of cost savings from the HDHP is expected to be minimal initially,
and will be unknown for the longer-term until we have actual experience under the plan.
Retirement Plans - Retirement programs are crucial to attracting and retaining a skilled workforce
within the utility industry. The Company provides a defined benefit pension plan and a defined
contribution plan (401k) to ernployees. For all employees hired or rehired on or after January 1,
20142, the Company's defined benefit is closed to all non-bargaining employees. All actively
employed non-bargaining employees that were hired prior to January 1,2014, and were covered
under the defined benefit pension plan at that time, will continue accruing benefits as originally
specified in the plan. A defined contribution a01(k) plan replaced the defined benefit pension plan
for all non-bargaining employees hired or rehired on or after January 1,2014. Under the defined
contribution plan, the Company will provide a non-elective contribution as a percentage of each
employee's pay based on his or her age. This defined contribution is in addition to the existing
401(k) contribution, where Avista matches a portion of the pay deferred by each participant. In
addition to the above changes, the Company also revised our lump sum calculation for
non-bargaining retirees under the defined benefit pension plan to provide non-bargaining
participants who retire on or after January 1,2014 with a lump sum amount equivalent to the
present value ofthe annuity based upon applicable discount rates.
2 Changes were applicable to Local Union 659 (Southeast Oregon) effective April 1,2014.
a
Miscellaneous Other Benefits
The Company also offers these miscellaneous other Miscellaneous Benefits. Overall, costs
represented by these benefits represent less than 2Yo of overall benefit costs:
o Short and Long Term Disability
o Employee Assistance Plan
o Company Provided Term Life Insurance
o Tuition Assistance program
ln addition, executives are oflered the following benefits:
1. Supplernental Executive Officer Retirernent Plan (SERP)
In addition to the Company's retirement plan for all employees, the Company provides
additional pension benefits through the SERP to executive officers of the Company who
have attained the age of 55 and a minimum of 15 years of credited service with the
Company. The costs associated with SERP are excluded from retail rates.
2. Deferred Compensation
The Executive OfEcer Deferred Compensation plan provides the opportunity to defer up to
7 SYo of base salary and up to I 00% of cash bonuses for payment at a future date. This plan
is competitive in the market, and provides eligible employees and executive officers with a
tax-efficient savings method. The costs associated with Deferred Compensation are
excluded from retail rates.
Avista regularly participates in a comprehensive benefit study, BENEVAL, conducted by Towers
Watson which compares the total value of our benefit package to the total benefit value of our
peers. This study is comparable to the peer group benchmarking conducted annually for direct
compensation. See Avista's response to Sta[PR_032 for additional information.
The Company actively manages costs associated with the overall compensation package which
includes base salary and pay-at-risk incentive compensation in addition to the benefit package.
Please see the Company's response to Stafl PR_024 and StaflPR_O2S for additional information
on incentive and base pay.
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INF'ORMATION
ruRISDICTION
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
IDAHO DATE PREPARED: 0212512021
AVU-E-21-01 / AVU-G-21-01 WITNESS: Elizabeth AndrewsIPUC RESPONDER: Tia Benjamin
Production Request DEPARTMENT: Regulatory AffairsStaff-028 TELEPHONE: [phone]
REQUEST:
Please provide the amount of Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan expense, if any, which is
included in the test year.
RESPONSE:
No Supplernental Executive Retirement Plan expenses have been included in the test year.
AYISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR TNFORMATTON
ruRISDICTION: IDAHO
CASE NO: AVU-E-2l-01/AW-c-21-0r
REQUESTER: IPUCTYPE: Production Request
REQUEST NO.: Staff-029
DATE PREPARED: 0212612021WITNESS: Mark ThiesRESPONDER: Jason Lang
DEPARTMENT: Finance
TELEPHONE: [phone]
REQUEST:
Please provide copies of the Company's pension and actuarial reports for the years 2018 through
2020. Also, please provide any actuarial calculations and documentation that shows the
development of FAS 87 expenses (ASC 715 Compensation - Retirernent Benefits as codified),
Company contributions, balances, and assumptions.
RE,SPONSE:
Please see Avista's response 029C, which contain TRADE SECRET, PROPRIETARY or
CONFIDENTIAL information and are separately filed under IDAPA 31.01.01, Rule 067 and
233, ard. Section 9 -340D, Idaho Code.
See Staff PR_029C Confidential Attachments A - C for the 2018-2020 actuarial reports. The
reports contain the calculations, company contributions, balances, and assumptions.
2t16n021 The Avista e.view - February 10,2021
""..
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Hey Pau!, enjoy this week's issue!
Patty Hanson shared this frosty shot of beautiful Priest Lake in ldaho
Apply early for the Washington Water Power Legacy
Scholarship
The foundation has been awarding undergraduate scholarships since 1975.
Scholarships are available to children and legal dependents of deceased, retired
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Now through April 16
2n6tn21 Tho Avbta e.vhw - February 10,2021
and current Avista employees who are pursuing an undergraduate degree.
frut" (o) | Comment (2) | Read By (28s)
A security upgrade is coming to Avista computers, now
through March
To keep our systems healthy and secure, Avistia's Enterprise Security team will be
upgrading the anti-virus software Avista computers in February and March.
*t-ite lzOl lComment (0) | Read By (234)
Save the date for Ql employee
meetings
This quarter will feature updates from Dennis
Vermillion, Heather Rosentrater, and Jason
Thackston.
t3 urc lzSz; I Comment (0) | Read By (791)
lntemalcommunications.us.nou,swea\,€r.conr/1d66$2jw111mg26kc80rw1rzcp6celzv?emall=true&lang=en&a=ll&p=3416761
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AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
JURISDICTION:
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
IDAHO
AW-E-2 I -0 I /AW-c -21 -01
IPUC
Production Request
Staff- 030
DATE PREPARED
WITNESS:
RESPONDER:
DEPARTMENT:
TELEPHONE:
02128t2021
Mark Thies
Paul Kimball
Regulatory Affairs
(50e) 49s-4s84
REQUEST:
Please provide access to the Board of Directors' meeting minutes for each meeting in20l9 through
2021to date.
RESPONSE:
Staffwill have access to these materials during their audit. The requested information is confidential
and would be unduly burdensome to provide.
A\TISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
JURISDICTION
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
IDAHO
AVU-E-2 I -0 I /AVU-G -2t -01
IPUC
Production Request
Staff- 031
DATE PREPARED: 0212812021WITNESS: Mark ThiesRESPONDER: Paul Kimball
DEPARTMENT: Regulatory Affairs
TELEPHONE: (s09) 495-4s84
REQUEST:
Please provide copies of the Board of Directors' materials distributed forlatmeetings from 2019
through 2021to date. Please also include the same for the Compensation Committee.
RESPONSE:
Staff will have access to these materials during their audit. The requested information is confidential
and would be unduly burdensome to provide.
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR TNFORMATION
JURISDICTION:
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
IDAHO
AVU-E-2 l -0 I /AW-c -21 -01
IPUC
Production Request
Staff- 032
DATE PREPARED: 031312021WITNESS: M. Thies / E. Andrews
RESPONDER: K. Schultz / R. Ezell
DEPARTMENT: Regulatory AffairsTELEPHONE: [phone]
REQUEST:
To the extent not previously included in the Company's response to Request No. 31, please provide
access to copies of all studies used to determine employee compensation, including executive
compensation, and explanations of how the Company applied them in the years 2018 throudh202l
to date.
RESPONSE:
Please see Avista's response 032C, which contain TRADE SECRET, PROPRIETARY or
CONFIDENTIAL information and are separately filed under IDAPA 31.01.01, Rule 067 and233,
and Section 9-340D,Idaho Code.
Please see "Staff PR_032C Confidential Attachment" which is a "zip file" that includes salary
studies the Company has participated in for 2018-2020,there is not data readily available for 2021 at
this time. These studies include companies such as Willis Towers Watson (formerly Towers
Watson), Mercer, Milliman, Work at Work, to name a few. Due to the voluminous nature of the
documents they are being provided in electronic format only.
The Company conducts and participates in numerous salary studies each year to aid in the
determination of salary levels as part of the overall compensation packagel. These studies are used
in various ways depending upon the type of information collected in the study. In addition, the
benchmarking methods and resources used are slightly different for each group or classification of
employee; officer, non-bargaining, and bargaining, as described further below. Benchmarking may
be conducted annually or as needed depending on the goup of employees. The types of resources
used may change over the years depending on cost, relevance, and availability of the resource as
well as changes in pay practices.
We use these resources for different pu{poses, for example we may use a survey to benchmark a
specific position or job type by region, to gather intelligence on overall anticipated salary increases
and pay structure changes, and/or to compare our pay practices to other companies and overall
regional trends.
The Company compiles the results of these surveys and targets overall compensation levels (base
and short-term incentive) to be within +l- 15% of the median. Typically the Company targets the
utility industry for merit increases and changes to midpoints. Regional peers are also reviewed in an
lSalary planning studies are also periodically utilized in the evaluation of the non-executive officer short terrn incentive
plan. No changes to target opportunities have been made in this plan since 2004.
effort to obtain intelligence on trends within the region. Ultimately the goal is to appropriately
position the overall compensation package to recruit and retain qualified employees.
While benchmarking is an important component of the setting of overall compensation levels, it is
not the sole criteria. Pay components may vary higher or lower than the median depending on an
individual's role, responsibilities and performance within the Company.
Officers Group
The Compensation Committee of the Board makes all compensation decisions regarding the
executive officers, including the level of cash compensation and equity awards. Each year the
Compensation Committee works with their independent compensation consultant to conduct a
benchmark study on the total compensation program for the officers. The studies typically include
base salaries, short-term cash incentives and long-term incentives. The Compensation Committee
believes it is important to provide a compensation structure that is competitive with compensation
paid to comparable executives of companies within the energy/utility industry to ensure the
Company attracts and retains quality ernployees in key positions to lead the Company.
Since Avista is an investor-owned utility it is also best practice to benchmark our officers'
compensation against other investor-owned utilities by focusing on compensation as disclosed in
proxy staternents. Proxy statements focus on only the top 5 paid positions which means other
sources must be used to benchmark the remaining officers' compensation. The Compensation
Committee uses the Willis Towers Watson Energy Services Executive Compensation database for
additional compensation data.
Benchmarking best practices also suggest narrowing the range of companies to compare to that
which better reflect your own business and size. Avista's Compensation Committee compares
market data from a customized group of utilities we call our Proxy Peer Group. The Proxy Peer
Group better represents our Company's business, size and competitive market for talent. By using
publicly disclosed data from proxy statements, Form 8-Ks, and Form 4s it allows the Company to
maintain a consistent peer group without being restricted by private survey participation which
varies year to year. The Committee uses companies from the S&P 400 Utilities Index in the Proxy
Peer Group. The median revenues and market capitalization of the Proxy Peer Group run between
$2.3 billion and $3.1 billion, respectively. The data is not adjusted to reflect the differences in size
because the Committee generally targets overall compensation within +l- l5yo of the median of the
peer group.
As mentioned above, the Committee also uses the Willis Towers Watson Energy Services survey as
a secondary resource for the top 5 but a primary resource for the other officers' compensation. The
survey provides additional compensation data on comparable diversified energy companies with
revenues between $l billion and $3 billion. The advantage of using a survey is that it provides
competitive datafor all of our executive officer positions. The Compensation Committee uses all of
these sources of data to help it make informed decisions about market compensation practices.
The Compensation Committee periodically will have the consultant prepare a special report on best
pay practices for executive officers.
Non-Bargaining Employee Group
The executive officers of the Company in collaboration with management make all compensation
decisions related to the level of cash compensation and equity awards for the non-bargaining
employee population. Our HR staff conducts studies and research related to best pay practices.
Each year Avista staff conducts benchmark and pay practice studies for the non-bargaining
ernployee group. The studies typically include base salaries, short-term cash incentives and
long-term incentives. The Company believes it is important to provide a compensation structure that
is competitive with compensation paid to comparable positions of companies within the
energy/utility industry as well as regional and local areas in which we compete for talent. By keeping
an eye on the market we ensure the Company attracts and retains quality employees in key positions
to run the business efficiently and within reasonable costs.
The benchmarking process for the non-bargaining onployee group is different from the ofEcer
group in that we do not have a specific Peer Group for the entire non-bargaining ernployee group.
Our definition of market is the orgaruzations in which we compete for labor. For example, we may
use a national utility survey to benchmark an electrical engineer or a local general industry survey
for an administrative assistant position because that is the labor market in which we compete for
talent. Outlined below are the types of labor market competitors we compare ourselves to for the
following job groups.
Monagement Administrative/ Technical
Professional
General General General
tili
National National Regional
Local
$1 - $3 billion
All sizes
All sizes All sizes
And relative to our competitor Broup, we monitor market rate data as follows:
Base Salary
Total
Base Salary
Total
Median
75ft percentile
Base Salary
Total
Support
General
Local
All sizes
Base Salary
Total
Median (Median Median
percentile)75ft percentile 75ft percentile
75'do
The surveys we select support our philosophy by reporting data in the categories described above.
Outlined below is a list of salary surveys we have participated in over the years as well as their
general focus.
Labor Market Competitors
Industry
Geography
Organization
Size
Management Technical Support
Statistical Data
Administrative/
Professional
Compensation
Data
Survey
WTW - American
Gas Association
WTW - Energy
Services
Executive
WTW - Energy
Services MAP
Industry Location Types of Positions Type of Data
Milliman - NW
Utilities
Milliman - NW
Mgmt & Prof
Milliman -
Spokane Area
Milliman - NW
Technology
Mercer -
Technology
(added 2015)
EAPDIS
AONHewitt -
Marketing &
Trading
TW - General
Industry
ACR * Investor
Relations
Milliman -
Engineering,
Scientific &
Project
Management
(added 2Un
All
All
Utility
Natural Gas
Utility Gas,
Electric &
Altemative
Utility Gas,
Electric &
Alternative
Utility
Electric
Industries
Industries
Technology Pacific
Northwest
Technology Nation-wide
Industries
Pacific
Northwest
Nation-wide Exec, Mgmt, Prof
Tech & Craft
Nation-wide Exec
Nation-wide Mgmt, Prof, Tech &
Support
Base salary, incentives,
Base salary, incentives,
pay practices
Base salary, incentives,
pay practices
Base salary, incentives,
pay practices
Base salary, incentives,
pay practices
Base salary, incentives,
pay practices
Pacific
Northwest
Pacific
Northwest
Spokane& Tech&Support
Kootenai
Counties
Mgmt, Prof Tech &
Craft
Base salary, pay
Mgmt, Prof, & Tech Base salary, incentives,
Mgmt, Prof, Tech & Base salary, incentives,
Utility Gas Nation-wide Tech, Craft &Base salary, incentives,
& Electric S
Non and Nation-wide Exec, Mgmt, Prof, &regulated Tech
Utilities
Base salary, incentives,
pay practices
2Al5 - discontinued participation
2015 - discontinued participation
Mgmt, Prof Tech &
Support
Engineering,
Scientific and Project
Management
A11
Our benchmarking process is generally done on an annual basis. It starts with completing
questionnaires for the different surveys then analyzing the data when the results are returned to us.
As part of the analysis Avista matches its internal jobs to the jobs in the survey sources to establish
an Estimated Market Value. We try to match our jobs to the jobs in at least two survey sources which
we believe better represents the competitive labor market. When establishing an Estimated Market
Value we use the 50th percentile or median data to better estimate the "typical" pay for the job.
Avista's compensation philosophy for the non-bargaining employee group is to target compensation
levels within +l- l5o/o of market median.
Avista has a pay structure with established pay ranges that are divided into thirds. The middle third
represents the "market" (+l- l5%) and the midpoint is used for market comparison, compa-ratio
calculations and adjusting the structure. Our pay structure is a leadJag position relative to the
targeted marketplace. A lead-lag philosophy positions our pay structure midpoints so they match the
market in mid-year (July). Basically our midpoints lead the external market for the first half of the
year and lag the market for the second half. This enables us to keep our actual pay levels directly
competitive with our targeted marketplace for each identified job group.
Each survey has its own effective date for the data collected and since we try to use at least two
survey sources for each job in our benchmarking process, we age date or "trend" the survey data to
one point in time which is July 1. As mentioned above we want to lead-lag the market and this
process allows us to make accurate and consistent market comparisons between the market and
intemal average pay.
This benchmarking process is time consuming and complex. In order to simpliff the process we
currently use a software product called MarketPay. The software is a modeling and reporting tool
that houses onployee and survey data. Each year we import specific employee and job data into the
tool as well as survey source data. This software enables us to match an internal job to the survey job
to determine an Estimated Market Value. Once an Estimated Market Value is determined we can
calculate the ratio of internal pay to market by dividing the actual salary by the market rate. This
helps us determine if our current wages are competitive within the labor markets we compete in for
talent. We also calculate the ratio of actual pay to our own pay structure midpoints. This compa-ratio
calculation helps us to determine how much we should adjust our pay structure to stay competitive.
The benchmarking process described above is one method we use to help control our payroll growth
and individual pay progress. We also participate in salary planning surveys. These surveys collect
data on salary practices such as actual and projected base salary increase budgets, whether
organizations are awarding pay increases or freezing pay, what is the average pay increase for
different job groups and performance levels, what was the actual and projected pay structure
adjustment, what types of incentive plans are being used, and what other pay practices organizations
are considering. These surveys focus on overall changes in employee compensation for the calendar
year and current projections for the following calendar year. We use these studies to help us make
informed decisions on market compensation practices with regards to compensation spending and
budgeting.
Our merit-increase program is a key vehicle through which non-bargaining ernployee pay is adjusted
on an annual basis. In order to plan and budget for the following calendar year, we collect the
following data from several surveys and compile it into a spreadsheet. Although we collect and
monitor the different markets (national, regional, local, utility), we target the utility industry since
most of our labor is utility specific.
National
Regional
EnergyAltility
Local
National
Regional
EnergyAJtility
Local
National
Regional
EnergyAJtility
Local
National
Regional
Energytutility
Local
National
Regional
Energy/Lltility
National
Regional
EnergyAJtility
National
Regional
EnergyAJtility
National
Regional
EnergyAJtility
Actual &
Projected Salary
Increase
Budgets
Actual &
Projected
Structure
Adjustments
Executive OverallNon-Exempt Exempt
In May of each yeaq preliminary minimum salary increases are approved for the following calendar
yearby the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. In Novernber, salary increases for
the following year are frnalized and approved by the Board of Directors. The salary structure
adjustrnent data is reviewed and considered but the actual adjustment is determined based on the
compa-ratio analysis conducted during the benchmarking process described above.
The processes described above are used to help us control our labor costs and keep them reasonable
for our customers and yet enables us to recruit and retain the labor force we need to run the business
and provide reliable levels of service.
Bargaining Group
The benchmarking process for the bargaining goup is again different from the other groups. The
studies are conducted during or before the contract negotiations. They are not done on an annual
basis. The studies typically collect average base rate for lineman from other west-coast utilities
(investor-owned, PUDs, municipalities, Co-ops, etc.) and average increase from other west-coast
IBEW local contracts. All wage rates and increases are negotiated.
ruRISDICTION:
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR TNFORMATTON
IDAHO bETN PREPARED: 021261202I
AVU-E-21-01 / AVU-G-21-01 WITNESS: Elizabeth AndrewsIPUC RESPONDER: Justin Baldwin-Bonney
Production Request DEPARTMENT: Regulatory AffairsStaff-033 TELEPHONE: [phone]
REQUEST:
Please provide the fixed costs associated with the use of the Company-owned aircraft, such as pilot
salaries, hangar fees, etc. Please provide the total dollar amount posted in20l9 and2020 at the
system level, the account(s) posted, and how those costs were allocated or assigned to the Idaho
electric and gas operations.
RESPONSE
In March 2018, Avista exercised an end of term purchase option as provided in the lease,
ef[ectively purchasing the plane. The Company currently records all costs (excluding the cost of
the hangar, which is discussed further below) in the pooling account, including all depreciation
expense on the plane. The costs associated with each flight are then allocated to specific projects,
as such all plane costs are assigned based on the purpose of the flights.
In addition, during 2018, Avista was notified the leased hangar would no longer be available to the
Company after 2018. Therefore, the Company entered into a land lease and constructed a hangar
that was placed in service in Decernber of 2018. While the land lease is recorded to the pooling
account, the depreciation ofthe hangar is not, but instead recorded as depreciation expense and
allocated using company allocation methods.
The Company believes it is appropriate to allocate the estimated revenue requironent associated
with owning the plane and hangar to non-utiliff for the non-utility flights. For this rate case, the
Company estimates the amount to rsmove from Idaho electric service to be $ 9,367 and to remove
from Idaho gas service S 2,464. (Please see Staff PR_033-Attachment C for calculations.)
See Andrews' Miscellaneous Adjustrnent 2.08 where approximately $9,000 and $2,000 (rounded)
were removed to reflect the reallocation for non-utility.
A summary of the costs on a system basis, Idaho electric basis and Idaho natural gas basis follows:
Page 1 of2
SYEtem
zr19 frm
Costs Allocated from PoolingAccount (FERC 1841m)
based on flighttime
Costs Recorded in Pool NotAllo€ated Using Mileage
Depreciation on il3ngar (Not included in Pooling
Accountl
Staff_PR_033-Atta{hment A
Staff_PR_033-Attachment B
L4L7,133
(44,64s)
716,543
??3,L76
Staff_PR_033-Attachnrent C 6,4O2 46,42r"4Ir,o9o Lo96,Ut1
lDHecEic
ml9 2TITO
Costs Allocated from Poolirq Account (FERC 184100)
based on flight time Staff_PR_033-Attachment A
Costs Reorded in Poo! Not Allocated Using Mileage Staff_PR_033-Attadrment B
Depreciation on Hsngar (Not included in Pooling
Amunt) Staff_PR_03+Attadmentc
2&1,65i6
(9,ro}
59,143
73,n3
10,(Dl LO,BI
u3,039 L11,247
lDtaehrtlGc
2rn9 M
Costs Allocated from Pooling Aaount (FERC 1841(x))
based on flighttime
Costs Recorded in Pool NotAllocated Using Mileage
Deprecaataon on Hrngar (Not included in Pooling
laount)
Staff_PR_033-Atta$ment A
Staff PR 03}Attadrrrent B
88,9O4
(2,510)
1o,444
l3,W
Steff PR 03$AttacimentC 2,fftg 2,624
8i9,Ul3 3r,,9ul
AVISTA CORPORATION
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
ruRISDICTION:
CASE NO:
REQUESTER:
TYPE:
REQUEST NO.:
IDAHO DATE PREPARED: 0212612021
AVU-E-21-01 / AW-G-21-01 WITNESS: ElizabethAndrewsIPUC RESPONDER: Justin Baldwin-Bonney
Production Request DEPARTMENT: Regulatory AffairsStaft-034 TELEPHONE: (s09) 49s-4130
REQUEST:
Please provide the variable costs associated with the use of the Company-owned aircraft. Please
provide dollar amount posted in2019,2020 and202l to date, atthe system level, the account(s)
posted, and how those costs were allocated or assigned to ttre Idaho electric and gas operations.
RBSPONSE:
Please see the Company's response to Sta[PR 033 for detail of all plane costs for 2019 and
2020.
2021 expenses are limited to hangar depreciation expense (see Staff PR_033-Attachment C) for
approximately lll2 of annual depreciation, at $ 3,867. All other costs are pooled, and will be
allocated to service and jurisdictions once flights resume.