200138_sw.doc

DECISION MEMORANDUM

TO: COMMISSIONER HANSEN
COMMISSIONER SMITH
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
JEAN JEWELL
RON LAW
LOUANN WESTERFIELD
TONYA CLARK
DON HOWELL
DAVE SCHUNKE
KEITH HESSING
TERRI CARLOCK
RANDY LOBB
WORKING FILE
FROM:
DATE:
MARCH 8, 2001 RE: CASE NO. AVU-E-01-01 (Avista)
POWER COST ADJUSTMENT (PCA) METHODOLOGY
PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS

On January 16, 2001, Avista Corporation dba Avista Utilities—Washington Water Power Division—Idaho (Avista; Company) filed an Application with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (Commission) seeking approval of proposed modifications to its existing Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) mechanism. Reference Case No. AVU-E-01-01. On February 1, 2001, the Commission issued Notices of Application and Intervention Deadline. Potlatch Corporation was the only party to intervene. Reference Order No. 28638.
The Company in its filing requested that its Application be processed under Modified Procedure, i.e. by written submission rather than by hearing. Reference Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204. At Staff’s request, the Commission agreed to defer any decision regarding Modified Procedure until after Staff and parties had completed their analysis.
Staff has now completed its analysis. Based on discussions with the Company and a more complete understanding of the Company’s Application and the ramifications of the proposed changes, Staff notes its concurrence with the Company’s request for Modified Procedure. Pursuant to agreement of all parties, Staff proposes a standard three-week comment period beginning March 14, 2001, to be followed by a one-week period for Company reply.
Commission Decision
Modified Procedure is recommended. Does the Commission agree with the proposed procedure and scheduling?

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DECISION MEMORANDUM 2