20041020Notice of Application.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
October 20, 2004
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF
VISTA CORPORATION FOR A
MODIFICATION TO THE RESIDENTIAL AND
SMALL FARM ENERGY RATE ADJUSTMENTCREDIT. CASE NO. A VU-O4-
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED
PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT/
PROTEST DEADLINE
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on October 1 , 2004, Avista Corporation dba
A vista Utilities (A vista; Company) filed an Application with the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission (Commission) requesting approval of a change to the Company s Schedule 59
Residential and Farm Energy Rate Adjustment tariff. A vista requests authority to increase the
residential and farm energy rate adjustment credit from 0.252~ per kWh to 0.412~ per kWh
effective November 1 2004.
As a Northwest regional utility, Avista is entitled to participate in the Residential
Exchange Program (REP) that extends the benefits of the Columbia River federal power program
to residential and small farm consumers served by investor-owned utilities in the region. Section
5c of the Northwest Power Act, 16 U.C. ~ 839(c). The REP is administered by the Bonneville
Power Administration (BP A). A Residential Exchange Settlement Agreement between A vista
and BP A settled the parties rights and obligations for the Residential Exchange Program for the
ten-year term of the Agreement, October 1 , 2001 through September 30, 2011. Avista uses the
energy rate adjustment credit to pass onto its qualifying residential and small farm customers the
estimated residential exchange benefits it receives from BP A. The proposed rate credit of 0 .412~
per kWh is designed to pass through the projected balance of accumulated benefits at
October 31 , 2004, as well as the expected level of benefits to be received from BP A during the
period November 1 2004 through October 31 2005.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT/
PROTEST DEADLINE
The proposed 0.412~ credit is a uniform cents per kilowatt hour decrease that will
apply to residential and small farm customers served under Schedules 1 , 12 , 22, 32, and 48. For
residential and small farm area lighting customers served under Schedule 48, the proposed credit
is applied on a uniform cents per kilowatt hour basis to the energy usages of the various lights
covered under that rate schedule. The calculation of the proposed rate credit is shown in
Company workpapers. As reflected in the Company s Application, the proposed increase in the
rate credit will result in an overall reduction in annual revenue of approximately $1.7 million.
The increase in the rate credit will have no effect on A vista s net income.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has reviewed the filings of
record in Case No. A VU-04-4. The Commission has preliminarily found that the public
interest in this matter may not require a hearing to consider the issues presented, and that issues
raised by the Company s filing may be processed under Modified Procedure, i., by written
submission rather than by hearing. Reference Commission Rules of Procedure IDAP A
31.01.01.201-204.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the deadline for filing written comments or
protests with respect to A vista s Application in and the use of Modified Procedure in Case
No. A VU-04-4 is Thursday, October 28,2004.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are
received within the deadline, the Commission may consider the issue on its merits and may 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 based on the written positions before it. Reference IDAP A
31.01.01.204.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that written comments concerning Case
No. A VU - E-04-4 should be mailed to the Commission and the Company at the addresses
reflected below:
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT/
PROTEST DEADLINE
COMMISSION SECRETARY
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
Street Address for Express Mail:
KELLY O. NORWOOD
VICE PRESIDENT OF ST ATE AND FEDERAL
REGULATION
VISTA CORPORATION
1411 EMISSION AVE
SPOKANE, W A 99220
E-mail Kelly.norwood~avistacorp.com
472 W WASHINGTON ST
BOISE, ID 83702-5983 DAVID J. MEYER
VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF COUNSEL OF
REGULATORY AND GOVERNMENTAL
AFF AIRS
VISTA CORPORATION
1411 EMISSION AVE
SPOKANE, W A 99220
E-mail dmeyer~avistacorp.com
All comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this
document.Persons desiring to submit comments via e-mail may do so by accessing the
Commission s home page located at www.puc.state.id.. Click the "Comments and Questions
icon, and complete the comment form, using the case number as it appears on the front of this
document. These comments must also be sent to the Applicant at the e-mail addresses listed
above.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are
received within the time limit set, the Commission will consider this matter and enter its Order
without a formal hearing. If written comments are received within the time limit set, the
Commission will consider them and, in its discretion, may set the same for formal hearing
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application in Case No. A VU-04-
may be viewed at the Commission s website www.puc.state.id.by clicking on "File Room
and "Electric Cases" or can be viewed during regular business hours at the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission, 472 West Washington Street, Boise, ID and at the Idaho offices of A vista Utilities.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT/
PROTEST DEADLINE
-1+-
DATED at Boise, Idaho this ;l..O day of October 2004.
Vld/N:A VUEO44 sw
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT/
PROTEST DEADLINE
Out of the Office on this Date
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER