20040226Annual Report.pdf

Avista Corp.
1411 East Mission PO Box3727
Spokane, Washington 99220-3727
Telephone [phone]
Toll Free 800-727-9170
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February 24, 2004
Jean D. Jewell, Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
Statehouse Mail
W. 472 Washington Street
Boise, Idaho 83720
RE:Annual Report on Alternative Renewable Energy
Dear Ms. Jewell:
Pursuant to Order No. 28948 in Case No. A VU-01-16, Avista Utilities provides the
following report on the Company s alternative energy resources offered as options to
customers in 2003 under Schedule 95-0ptional Wind Power Rate. A vista Utilities
voluntary program, marketed as the "Buck-a-Block" program, for wind resources was
initiated on February 1 2002.
Description of the option(s) offered to A vista's customers:
Avista Utilities offers an alternative renewable energy rate in the form of a wind
power option to residential and commercial electric customers in both Washington
and Idaho. Under the program, customers may voluntarily sign up for 55-kWh
blocks of wind power, for $1.00 each, paid in addition to their regular rates.
Customers may purchase as many blocks as they would like. Customers subscribe
on a monthly basis that can be canceled and re-subscribed at anytime by either
phone, internet, or bill inserts. A vista Utilities purchases the power from the
Stateline Energy Center, located along the Washington-Oregon border to supply the
program. The Company marketed the program through billing inserts, earned
media, local public radio selected fairs, and print media. Incremental
administration and marketing budgets were approximately $40,000 on a system
basis.
Rate of customer participation:
As of December 31 , 2003 on a system basis, there were 2 218 customers
participating in the program, 2 177 residential and 41 commercial. Annual 2003
Annual Report on Alternative Renewable Energy
February 24, 2004
Page 2
subscriptions totaled 111 849 blocks. The Idaho portion of all components of this
program is 28% based on participation of 610 Idaho customers.
3) Amount of qualified alternative energy resources purchased by customers:
The number of blocks of wind power equates to a subscription of 6,151 695 kWh for
the year.
4) Amount of utility investments in qualified alternative energy resources:
In 2003, Avista Utilities purchased 8,760,000 kWh of wind power from the Stateline
Energy Center.
Please direct questions on this matter to me at [phone] or Chris Drake at (509)
495-8624.
Sincerely,
~~
Bruce Folsom
Manager, Regulatory Compliance