20060928notice_of_application_avu3.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
September 28, 2006
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF A VISTA CORPORATION FOR A
MODIFICATION TO THE RESIDENTIAL
AND SMALL FARM ENERGY RATE
ADJUSTMENT CREDIT
CASE NO. A VU-O6-
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF
MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF
COMMENT /PROTEST DEADLINE
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on September 14 2006 , Avista Corporation
dba Avista Utilities (Avista; Company) filed an Application with the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission (Commission) requesting approval of a proposed modification to the residential and
farm energy rate adjustment credit. Tariff Schedule 59. Avista proposes that the credit be
increased from the existing 0.412~ per kilowatt hour (kWh) to 0.459~ per kWh effective
November 1 , 2006. As reflected in the Application, the purpose of the energy rate adjustment
credit is to pass through to qualifying electric residential and small farm customers the estimated
benefits to be derived under the Residential Exchange Settlement Agreement (Agreement)
between Avista and Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). The increase in the rate credit is
due to increased benefits Avista will receive during the second five-year period (2006-2011) of
the 10-year agreement with BPA (2001-2011). Under the Agreement, the base calculator for
Avista s customer benefits was set at 98 MW for the first five-year period and 149 MW for the
second five-year period, which results in higher benefits during the second five-year period. The
proposed rate credit is a uniform cents per kWh decrease of 0.459~ and would 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 kWh basis to the energy usages of the various lights covered
under that rate schedule.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT/PROTEST DEADLINE
The proposed increase in the rate credit would result in an overall reduction in annual
revenue of approximately $552 000. For residential customers using 1 000 kilowatt hours per
month the new credit would be $4.59 per month or $0.47 more than the existing credit of$4.
per month. With the new higher credit in place, residential customers' bills will be about 0.75%
lower than they were before the increase in rate credit. The proposed credit passes through the
expected level of benefits to be received from BP A during the period November 1 , 2006 through
October 31 , 2007, adjusted for the projected, over-refunded balance at October 31 , 2006.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has reviewed the filings of
record in Case No. A VU-06-09. 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.e., 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 Avista s Application and the use of Modified Procedure in Case No.
A VU-06-09 is Monday, October 23,2006.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are
received within the deadline, the Commission may consider the matter 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
31.01.01.204.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that written comments concerning Case
No. A VU-06-09 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, ID 83720-0074
Street Address for Express Mail:
Kelly O. Norwood
Vice President, State and Federal Regulation
A vista Corporation
1411 E. Mission Avenue
Spokane, W A 99220
E-mail: kelly .norwood~avistacorp.com
472 W. Washington Street
Boise, ID 83702-5983
David J. Meyer
Vice President and Chief Counsel
Regulatory and Governmental Affairs
A vista Corporation
1411 E. Mission Avenue
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.idaho.gov. 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 Avista at the e-mail addresses listed above.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application in Case No. A VU-06-
may be viewed at www.puc.idaho.gov by clicking on "File Room" and "Electric Cases " or can
be viewed during regular business hours at the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, 472 W.
Washington Street, Boise, Idaho and at the Idaho offices of A vista.
DATED at Boise, Idaho this ;J. 'if day of September 2006.
J~an . Jewell \
ommlSSlon ecretary
bls/N:A VU-06-09 _
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT/PROTEST DEADLINE