20070831Application.pdf

Avista Corp.
1411 East Mission PO Box 3727
Spokane, Washington 99220-3727
Telephone [phone]
Toll Free 800-727-9170 A\fU -f;-
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August 30, 2007 ..,r~ f'EIV I.::;.c '
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Jean Jewell, Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
W. 472 Washington Street
Boise, ID 83720
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Cd'P1;;(~j\SS!ON
Re: Avista Corporation s Application to Implement A Pilot Program for Remote Disconnects
and Reconnects
Dear Ms. Jewell:
Enclosed for filing with the Commission is an original and 7 copies of the Company s request
for approval of a one-year "Remote Disconnect/Reconnect Pilot Program" and a request that the
Commission provide the Company with a limited waiver ofIDAPA 31.21.01 (311.03) and
(311.04) (Utility Customer Relation Rules) for the term of the pilot.
The Company requests that this filing be processed under the Commission s Modified Procedure
rules.
Please direct any questions on this matter to myself at [phone] or Steve Plewman at (509)
495-4625.
Sincerely, -
;./
L&:a' Gervias
Regulatory Analyst
Avista Corporation
linda. gervais03avistacorp. com
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Enclosures
DAVID J. MEYER
VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF COUNSEL FOR
REGULATORY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
A VISTA CORPORATION
O. BOX 3727
1411 EAST MISSION AVENUE
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON 99220-3727
TELEPHONE: [phone]
FACSIMILE: [phone]
RECE\VED
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BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MA TIER OF THE APPLICATION
OF A VISTA CORPORATION FOR THE
AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT A PILOT
PROGRAM FOR REMOTE DISCONNECTS
AND RECONNECTS
CASE NO. A VU-07- CI1
APPLICATION OF A VISTA CORPORATION
I. INTRODUCTION
A vista Corporation, doing business as A vista Utilities (hereinafter A vista or
Company), at 1411 East Mission Avenue, Spokane, Washington, respectfully requests that
the Commission approve a pilot program for "Remote Disconnect/Reconnect" and requests
that the Commission issue in its order providing the Company with a limited waiver of
IDAP A 31.21.01 (311.03) and (311.04) (Utility Customer Relation Rules) for the term of the
pilot.
The proposed one year pilot is intended to implement a system for remote
disconnection and reconnections, without the need for an employee visit to the affected
premises. Anticipated benefits include:
reducing operating and maintenance expenses related to multiple disconnections and
reconnections for urban and rural accounts;
productivity gains of employees by eliminating multiple trips to customer homes for
collections;
enhancing employee safety;
quicker response time to reconnect servIce leading to increased customer
satisfaction; and
recognizing a reduction in bill defaults and write-offs by encouragmg prompt
consumer payment over time.
The Company requests that this filing be processed under the Commission s Modified
Procedure rules.
Communications in reference to this Application should be addressed to:
David J. Meyer, Esq.
Vice President and Chief Counsel for
Regulatory and Govermnental Affairs
Avista Corporation
O. Box 3727
1411 E. Mission Avenue, MSC-
Spokane, VV A 99220-3727
Kelly Norwood
Vice President - State and Federal Regulation
A vista Corporation
O. Box 3727
1411 E. Mission Avenue, MSC-
Spokane, VV A 99220-3727
Phone: [phone]
Application of A vista Corporation
Case No. A VU-07-
Page 1
Phone: [phone]Fax: [phone]
Fax:[phone]
II. BACKGROUND
Avista s current process to disconnect and reconnect an account requires that an
employee be dispatched to drive to the customer s premises, disconnect the service and leave
a disconnect notice in a conspicuous location. A "disconnect" consists of the removal of the
electric meter, installation of insulated boots, and reinstallation of the meter. If there is a
safety risk to the employee, the disconnection will occur at the nearest upstream device! from
the electric meter. Once the account is brought back into good standing, or has been opened
by a new customer, an employee is dispatched to drive back to the site to restore the service.
Avista continually looks for ways to reduce costs and provide a safe work
environment for employees. It is believed that this project will reduce employee field trips to
repeated delinquent accounts, enhance employee safety (avoidance of employee risks
associated with, c., dangcrous-animals, etc.), allow quicker restoration of service, and
ultimately encourage timely customer payment, thereby reducing customer account balances.
Avista currently conducts disconnect/reconnect services in compliance with Idaho
Utility Customer Relation Rule IDAPA 31.21.01 (300 through 313), which include the
following:
IDAPA 31.21.01 (311.03) - Opportunity to Prevent Termination of
Service - Immediately preceding termination of service, the employee designated to
terminate service shall identify himself or herself to the customer or other responsible
adult upon the premises and shall announce the purpose of the employee s presence.
This employee shall have in his or her possession the past due account record of the
customer and shall request any available verification that the outstanding bills are
satisfied or currently in dispute before this Commission. Upon presentation of
evidence that outstanding bills are satisfied or currently in dispute before this
Commission, service shall not be terminated. The employee shall be authorized to
1 An upstream device includes equipment such as a fuse or service wire that can be opened or cut to interrupt
the circuit and stop the flow of energy.Application of A vista Corporation Page 2
Case No. A VU-07-
accept full payment, or, at the discretion of the utility, partial payment, and in such
case shall not terminate service. Nothing in this rule prevents a utility from
proceeding with termination of service if the customer or other responsible adult is
not on the premises at the time of termination.
IDAP A 31.21.01 (311.04) - Notice of Procedure for Reconnection Service -
The employee of the utility designated to terminate service shall give to the customer
or leave in a conspicuous location at the service address affected a notice showing the
time of and grounds for termination, steps to be taken to secure reconnection, and the
telephone numbers of utility personnel or other authorized representatives who are
available to authorize reconnection.
In order for this pilot to be effective and achieve the desired results, A vista requests a
waiver of rule IDAP A 31.21.01 (311.03) and (311.04) for those accounts included in the pilot
program. Specifically, after the disconnect device has been installed, an Avista employee
would no longer be required to physically visit the premises to disconnect or reconnect the
meter and would not be required to give the customer (or leave in a conspicuous location at
the service address affected) a notice showing the time of, and grounds for, termination.
However, the Company will let the customer know of the disconnection or reconnection by
following its current notification process , but without otherwise sending an employee to the
premises. The current process in which the Company does disconnect/reconnect is illustrated
in Attachment 1 along with the proposed future process for the pilot. All meters with the
device attached will be flagged as part of a pilot program and entered into the Company
customer service system. The Company will continue to be otherwise compliant with rule
IDAP A 31.21.01 (311.03) and (311.04) with all customers not included in the pilot who have
been disconnected or reconnected.
2 The bill is mailed and due within 15 calendar days, after which the Company allows a 3-day grace period for
payments to post. A Past Due Notice is mailed after the grace period ends, dated 7 calendar days later. The
Final Notice is mailed 3 business days before the past due notice expires. The Interactive Voice Response
System (IVR) then calls the customer on the day the notice expires.
Application of A vista Corporation
Case No. A VU-07-0Cf
Page 3
III. SCOPE OF PROPOSED PILOT PROGRAM
This pilot program will include the installation of approximately 250 remote
disconnect collars using Power Line Carrier (PLC) as the communication protocol in the
Company s rural areas and 350 wireless meter devices for use throughout urban areas. PLC
is a technology that allows communications across power lines to a disconnect/reconnect
switch at the electric meter. This capability allows remote disabling/enabling of the electric
service from Avista s office. The wireless meter device uses telephone paging technology
that allows communication to switch at the electric meter which allows remote
disabling/enabling of the electric service. The specifications for disconnect collars and the
wireless meter device are included as Attachment 2.
Customers selected for this pilot will include customers with 200 amp services that
meet at least one of the following criteria: have had multiple disconnects, are located in rural
areas, or otherwise occupy premises where the Avista employee may be "at risk." Customers
selected for this pilot will not be assessed any incremental charges.
IV. MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION
Measurement & evaluation is integral to defining benefits of a pilot program and
identifying areas for improvement or modification. A vista will report the following at the
conclusion of the pilot program: 1) numbers of disconnect devices installed, 2) reason for
installation, and 3) utilization of the disconnect devices after installation, and (4) costs
together with realized savings.
Application of A vista Corporation
Case No. A VU-07-pJ
Page 4
V. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL
Avista respectfully requests approval of a one-year "Remote Disconnect/Reconnect
Pilot Program" and requests that the Commission provide the Company with a limited waiver
ofIDAPA 31.21.01 (311.03) and (311.04) (Utility Customer Relation Rules) for the term of
the pilot.
WHEREFORE Applicant respectfully requests the Commission issue its
Order authorizing the proposed pilot program, with this application being processed under
Modified Procedure.
DATED at Spokane, Washington, this 30th day of August, 2007.
A VISTA CORPORATION
7(/'-
David J. Meyer
Vice President and Chief Counsel for
Regulatory and Governmental Affairs
Application of A vista Corporation
Case No. A VU-07- (Jq
Page 5
STATE OF WASHINGTON)
County of Spokane
David J. Meyer, being duly sworn, on oath deposes and says:
That he is the Vice President and General Counsel for Regulatory and Governmental
Affairs of A vista Corporation;
That he has read the foregoing Application, knows the contents thereof, and believes the
same to be true.
~/II
- -
J. Meyer
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 30th day of August, 2007,
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Application of A vista Corporation
Case No. A VU-07-JZ~
ATTACHMENT
Current Disconnect/Reconnect Processes
Order Details to Include'
TWACS Area
Danger To Employee
Size of Meter & amps
Travel Distance
Disconnect Order
InCSS
-non pay
-non app
Nonnal Shutoff Notifes Credit
Dispatch
Dispatch Search in
TWACS
Application
Enter Sleeve into
CSS/EGMA
End
Page 1
Send to Advantex
Complete
Advantex Order
End End
Reconnect
Customer Calls for
Reconnect Send to Advantex Complete
Advantex Order
Disconnect Process Under Pilot Program
Order Details to Include'
TWACS Area
Danger to Employee
Size of Meter & amps
Travel Distance
Normal Shutoff
Disconnect Order
InCSS
-non pay
-non app
Send to Advantex Yes
Dispatch Search in
TWACS
Application
Enter Sleeve into
CSS/EGMA
End
Print at Credit
Dispatcher to
process
Do reconnect
through TWACS
Software
Yes
Customer Arms
meter to finish
reconnect process
Complete order in
CSS
End
Page 2
Notifes Credit
Dispatch
Complete
Advantex Order
End
Disconnect Process Under Pilot Program
Customer Calls for
Reconnect
CSR gets Pop-up
notice that sleeve
is installed
Print at Credit
Dispatcher to
process
Do reconnect
through TWACS
Software
Ves
Customer Arms
meter to finish
reconnect process
Complete order in
CSS
End
Page 3
CSR Creates
Reconnect Order
Print at 24 hr CSR
To process
Send Order to
OSM through
Advantex
OSM Performs
Reconnect
ATTACHMENT 2
NIGHTHAWK
TAKE REMOTE CONTROL
CEO700
Whole House Disconnect/Reconnect
Features
The CEO700 is a complete integrated wireless remote whole
house disconnect package complete with meter adapter, 200 amp
switch, and Nighthawk control board. Installation is lightning fast
requiring only the removal of the existing meter, plug in of the
CEO700, and replacement of the meter into the CEO700. Upon
installation the utility command center can then page the switch
" or .off'. It is literally that simple. An optional homeowner reset
switch is available that would require the homeowner to push an
easy to see button on the meter housing before the switch would
actually close.
The CEO700 can be programmed to work on any public or private
paging network. The devices can be activated by any touch tone
phone or by computer modem using our user-friendly software.
The CEO700 is ideal for seasonal use buildings, student apart-
ment complexes, chronic no pays, and remote safety disconnect.
Installation is fast, requiring only the removal of the existing meter
plug in of the CEO700 and replacement of the meter into the
CEO700 (the remote control functions are active immediately
upon installation). The slim, low profile, integrated circuit board
fits snugly between the meter back and the 200 Amp disconnect
switch allowing for use of a low profile Ul adapter,
Available in UHF, VHF and 900 MHz Frequencies
low profile, 2.75 inch offset, ring or ring-less sockets
4 and 5 Jaw Model
Multi-level security codes
Optional Homeowner reset button
lOW COST - Control functions are located on a single circuit
board designed for mass production
long term availability and short production lead times
Specifications
Frequencies:UHF, VHF, 900Mhz
Electrical Switching Capacity:200 Amps
POCSAG 512, 1200,
2400 Baud
Paging Format:
Operating
Temperature:
200 C to +700C
Paging Airtime
The CEO700 can be shipped to you completely pre-programmed to
paging signals in your region. Paging can be provided through
Nighthawk Systems, Inc. at very low monthly rates.
If you currently have paging service preference, the CEO700 can be
programmed to accommodate your private or public paging service
in all UHF, VHF, and 900 MHz frequencies.
About the Company
Now in its second decade, Nighthawk Systems, Inc., designs and
manufactures easy to use .Plug and Play" paging products that
remotely control virtually any electrical device, from any location.
Our products are designed to be easily installed and operated.
NIGHTHAWK SYSTEMS, INC. 10715 GUlFDAlE, SUITE 200 SAN ANTONIO, TX 78216
TEL [phone] FAX [phone] TOll-FREE 877.764.4484
WWW.NIGHTHAWKSYSTEMS.COM OTCBB: NIHK
The Disconnect Switch
Interbase (DSI) from TWACS~
offers a stand-alone, two-
way, addressable disconnect
switch which provides tamper
detection capabilities and paves
the way for pre-pay services.
The DSI combines the
functionality of a 200 Amp
latched relay with the
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convenience of the superior
TWACS two-way power line
communications system.
Stand-alone Design
The stand-alone design offers a
plug-in, self-contained solution
which requires no additional
connections and is independent
of the meter type or technology.
All that is required is installation
on a TWACS-enabled
distribution system.
Whole House Disconnect
Now you can provide for remote
whole house disconnect and
reconnect with the DSI. The
DSI utilizes a dependable
and reliable 200 Amp latched
relay and combines it with
the powerful TWACS system.
This combination permits
the Customer Service
Representative (CSR) to
disconnect and reconnect
individually metered residential
or small commercial, single-
phase 200 Amp services
remotely from the utility office.
The DSI disconnects the electric
service to the home while
leaving the meter powered for
monitoring or communication
purposes.
Remote Control
- -
From
utility Office
No longer is it necessary to
create a work order and
dispatch a meter technician to
remove or "boot" a meter. The
CSR or TWACS system operator
can simply issue the command
for an immediate or scheduled
disconnection. Reconnection
is equally easy. Each DSI is
uniquely addressable based
on a secure, factory assigned
identity for the highest integrity.
Remote communication is
provided via the TWACS system
which links the utility control
center and the meter site.
Rapid confirmation of service
disconnect or reconnect can be
obtained within 20 seconds of
command initiation.
Universal Design
The DSI's universal design fits
most residential applications.
Compatibility is assured
with 200 Amp 4-jaw form
2S and 5-jaw form 12S/25S
residential sockets. The DSI
works with meters both old and
new, electromechanical and
electronic. The DSI consists of
an interbase collar, a 200 Amp
latched relay and a TWACS
communication module with
an electronic switch controller.
The collar has four (or five) jaws
that accept the blades from the
meter on the topside and four
(or five) blades that insert into
a standard meter socket on the
bottom side.
utility and Consumer
Benefits
Utilities utilizing this product
will have at their disposal a
powerful revenue collection
tool for problem accounts,
as well as the ability to
enhance customer service by
providing a convenience for
seasonal and rental customers.
Additionally, this improves
utility efficiency and personnel
safety by allowing connects and
disconnects to be performed
from the convenience of the
utility office. The two-way
addressable DSI also paves
the way for future pre-pay
metering implementations.
Tamper Detection
Tamper Detection is provided
through the use of a periodic
two-way communications
check, load side detector, and
diagnostic register. Two-way
TWACSCID Disconnect Switch Interbase
(DSI)
communications confirm that
the DSI has not been removed.
Load side detection verifies
proper operation and will
indicate a bypass condition. The
diagnostic register generates
an alarm flag that is sent to
the utility office if tamper is
detected.
Switch status LED and
Connect
Push-Button
The DSI offers two options to
close the switch: a) a direct
software command from DCSI'
master station software, or
b) a two-step process that
allows the consumer to make
sure their home is ready for
connection. First a software
command is issued to arm
the switch followed by the
consumer manually depressing
the "" Push-Button.
Low Profile
The LOW Profile design
enhances the universal fit
and minimizes any change of
appearance to the consumer
service.
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200 Amps ,,
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10iooOMnPsper\JL:'1OQlli1?99 '
10;000 AmPs PE!r UL50!l:-J999:,12iOOOAiTlPS per ANSI C12.1: 1995
6 cycles at7()OO AmpsPE!rANSI (:12:1;1995
UL 508.1999 andUL 414
1500110115 at 60Hz for 1 minute
per UL 508
UL508 - 1999
30,000 MechanicalOPE!rations
000 Full Load Electrical Operations
ANSI C12.1 Test No.
ANSI/IEEE C62.41-1991 PE!r ANSIC12.
2001 Test No.
IEC 61000 PT4 per ANSI C12.2ooHest
No.
CFR 47 Part 15,Subparts A&Bper ANSI
C12.2001 Test No.
Class 200 2S, 12S,25S
of the Disconnect Switch Interbase "DSI" permitting remote disconnect/connect may be subject to certain laws. regulations, and/or tariffs at the federal state
local level. Prior to utilizing such feature, the user is responsible for compliance with all such laws, regulations and/or tariffs. DCSI is held harmless in case of
n of laws, regulations, and tariffs due to the use of the Disconnect Switch Interbase feature of the product.