HomeMy WebLinkAbout20231121_AVUG2308_dh.pdfDECISION MEMORANDUM 1
DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO: COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSIONER HAMMOND
COMMISSIONER LODGE
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
FROM: DAYN HARDIE
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE: NOVEMBER 21, 2023
SUBJECT: IN THE MATTER OF AVISTA’S APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER
AUTHORIZING DEFERRED ACCOUNTING FOR COSTS RELATED TO
THE NOVEMBER 2023 WILLIAMS NORTHWEST PIPELINE OUTAGE;
CASE NO. AVU-G-23-08.
On November 9, 2023, Avista Corporation d/b/a Avista Utilities (“Company”) applied
to the Commission for authority to defer costs associated with a “dig in” event causing the
Williams Pipeline to shut down. The shutdown forced the Company to stop delivering natural gas
to customers in the Moscow and Lewiston areas. Between Idaho and Washington, the Company
estimates 35,000-40,000 customers were affected. While the Company has not finalized its
response plan, it will have to visit every affected premise to turn off natural gas meters, then purge
the lines, and finally refill the lines, turn on the meters, and relight appliances.
The Company proposes to defer costs associated with this incident for later recovery.
Under the Company’s proposal, it would seek reimbursement of deferred costs plus interest in a
later proceeding. The Company did not rule out that it could seek damages through future legal
proceedings which could be applied towards the deferral. The Company requested its Application
be processed by Modified Procedure.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Commission issue a Notice of Application and Notice of
Modified Procedure establishing a December 18, 2023, public comment deadline and a December
20, 2023, Company reply deadline.
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to issue a Notice of Application and Notice of Modified
Procedure establishing a December 18, 2023, public comment deadline and a December 20,
2023, Company reply deadline?
_____________________________
Dayn Hardie
Deputy Attorney General
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