Notice of Application.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
March 7, 2001
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF
AVISTA CORPORATION DBA AVISTA
UTILITIES, FOR AN ORDER APPROVING AN
ELECTRIC ENERGY BUY-BACK PROGRAM
FOR PUMPING SCHEDULES 31 AND 32
CUSTOMERS
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CASE NO. AVU-E-01-4

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

NOTICE OF MODIFIED
PROCEDURE

ORDER NO. 28662

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on February 28, 2001, Avista Corporation dba
Avista Utilities (“Avista”) filed an Application requesting Commission approval of its Tariff 70-R.
This Tariff would provide Avista’s irrigation customers, who take service under Schedules 31 and
32, the option to sell power back to Avista by reducing their electric consumption. Avista requests
expedited processing of its Application and seeks a Commission Order making the Program
effective from March 15, 2001.
Avista states that the market price of electricity is expected to remain high for the 2001
irrigation season because of low snowpack and projected low streamflows. Under these conditions
the Company believes this Program has the potential to reduce its power supply expense during this
period of time.
Avista will make this Program available to irrigation customers who have historically
used at least 100,000 kWh while taking service from Schedules 31 and 32. Avista estimates that it
has thirty (30) customers that meet the minimum eligibility requirements for participation in this
Program and who consumed approximately 22,000 megawatt hours from May to September 2000.
Avista states that it will notify these customers by phone and mail to describe how this Program will
operate.
To participate, eligible irrigators must agree to reduce their energy consumption by a
minimum of 100,000 kWh from May to September 2001. Avista states that those customers who
wish to participate must notify the Company prior to April 15, 2001. Avista states that it will pay
participants who reduce energy usage by more than 100,000 kWh ten (10¢) cents for each kWh
saved. Avista proposes to record payments to customers as a power supply expense in Account 555,
as these payments will be made in lieu of purchasing power on the wholesale market.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 28662 -1-
The Commission Staff recognizing the time sensitive nature of Avista’s Application
recommended that it be processed in an expedited manner because irrigators must make decisions
regarding the 2001 growing season in the coming weeks. Staff also recommended the use of
Modified Procedure and suspension of the proposed effective date beyond March 15, 2001 to allow
a shortened period of time for interested persons and parties to comment. The Commission finds
these recommendations appropriate for the processing of this Application.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application together with supporting
workpapers and exhibits, have been filed with the Commission and are available for public
inspection during regular business hours at the Commission offices.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held pursuant
to the Commission's jurisdiction under Title 61 of the Idaho Code and that the Commission may
enter any final Order consistent with its authority under Title 61.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be conducted
pursuant to the Commission's Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has reviewed the filings of
record in Case No. AVU-E-01-4. The Commission has preliminarily determined that the public
interest may not require a hearing to consider the issues presented and that the issues raised by the
Application may be processed under Modified Procedure, i.e., by written submission rather than by
hearing. Reference Commission Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission may not hold a hearing in this
proceeding unless it receives written protests or comments opposing the use of Modified Procedure
and stating why Modified Procedure should not be used. Reference IDAPA 31.01.01.203.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that any person desiring to state a position on this
Application may file a written comment in support or opposition with the Commission within ten
(10) days from the date of this Notice. The comment must contain a statement of reasons supporting
the comment. Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written
comments.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are received
within the deadline, the Commission will consider the matter on its merits and enter its Order
without a formal hearing. If comments or protests are filed within the deadline, the Commission will
consider them and in its discretion may set the matter for hearing or may decide the matter and issue
its Order on the basis of the written positions before it. Reference IDAPA 31.01.01.204.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 28662 -2-
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that written comments concerning Case No. AVU-E-
01-4 should be mailed to the Commission and the Company at the addresses reflected below:

COMMISSION SECRETARY THOMAS D. DUKICH
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION DIRECTOR RATES AND REGULATION
PO BOX 83720 AVISTA CORPORATION
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074 1411 E. MISSION AVE.
PO BOX 3727
Street Address for Express Mail: SPOKANE, WA 99220-3727

472 W WASHINGTON ST DAVID J. MEYER
BOISE, IDAHO 83702-5983 SR. VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL
AVISTA CORPORATION
1411 E. MISSION AVE.
PO BOX 3727
SPOKANE, WA 99220-3727

All comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this
document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application in Case No. AVU-E-01-4 can be
reviewed at the Commission’s office and Avista’s offices during regular business hours.
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED and the Commission does hereby suspend the proposed
effective date for the proposed Program in Case No. AVU-E-01-4 from March 15, 2001 to
March 30, 2001.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the time sensitive nature of Avista’s Buy-Back
Program dictates that its Application be processed in an expedited manner.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this case shall be processed by Modified Procedure in
accordance with the Commission Rules of Procedure. See, IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that any person desiring to state a position on Avista’s
Application may file a written comment in support of or in opposition to the Company’s request.
These comments must be filed within ten (10) days of the filing of this Notice. The written
comment must contain a statement of reasons supporting the comment. Persons desiring a hearing
must specifically request a hearing in their written comments.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 28662 -3-

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 28662 -4-
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho, this
day of March 2001.

DENNIS S. HANSEN, PRESIDENT

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER

PAUL KJELLANDER, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Jean D. Jewell
Commission Secretary

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