20191210_jh1.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER RAPER
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
FROM:JOHN R.HAMMOND JR.
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE:DECEMBER 6,2019
SUBJECT:AVISTA CORPORATION'S APPLICATION REQUESTINGAPPROVALTOMODIFYITSVOLUNTARYRENEWABLEENERGYPROGRAM;CASE NO.AVU-E-19-12.
On November 12,2019,Avista Corporation dba Avista Utilities ("Avista"or
"Company")filed an Application requesting approval to modify its voluntaryrenewable energy
program ("Program"),Schedule 95 "Optional Renewable Power Rate".
THE APPLICATION
Avista request Commission authorization to modify the Program in an effort to manage
costs,provide customers with greater choice,and to support renewable energy within its region.
Application at 1.During 2019,Avista states that it evaluated the Program by conducting customer
research,analyzing Program costs and customer participation levels and reviewing comparable
programs at other investor owned utilities.Id.at 1.After completing this review Avista states it
determined that updates to the Program are necessary to meet the needs of its customers and to
ensure that funds collected from the Program participants are sufficient to cover expenses.Id.The
Company requests that the Application be processed by Modified Procedure under the
Commission Rules of Procedure.Id.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Commission issue a Notice of Application and Notice of
Modified Procedure.Staff recommends the Notice of Application and Notice of Modified
Procedure provide for a twenty-one (21)day written comment period for itself and any other
interested parties,with a seven (7)day reply comment period for the Company to follow.
DECISION MEMORANDUM 1
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to issue a Notice of Application and Notice of Modified
Procedure that establishes a twenty-one (21)day written comment period for Staff and any other
interested parties followed by a seven (7)day reply comment period for the Company?
If not,does the Commission wish to set alternative comments deadlines?
Joh R.lammond Jr.
De ut AttorneyGeneral
I \Lopl\l I I CTRK3AVU I 19-12\AVUL.1912 d i memn_yhdoc
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2