20070919notice_of_application_order_no_30437.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
September 19, 2007
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF A VISTA CORPORATION FOR
AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT A PILOT
PROGRAM FOR REMOTE DISCONNECTS
AND RECONNECTS
CASE NO. A VU-07-
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF
MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30437
On August 31 , 2007, A vista Corporation filed an Application seeking approval to
implement a one-year pilot program for remote disconnects and reconnects. The Company also
requested a limited waiver of Utility Customer Relations Rules 311.03 and 311.04 (IDAP A
31.21.01.311.03 and 311.04). The Company requested that its Application be processed by
Modified Procedure. ID AP A 31.01.01.201-204. With this Order the Commission authorizes the
use of Modified Procedure and establishes a comment deadline.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that Avista proposes to implement a one-year pilot
program for remote disconnects and reconnects. The Company proposes to install approximately
250 remote disconnect collars that would utilize Power Line Carrier (PLC) as the communication
protocol in rural areas and approximately 350 wireless meter devices for use in urban areas. The
devices would allow for the remote enabling and disabling of electric service from A vista
office. Customers selected for the pilot would include customers with 200 amp services that
either have had multiple disconnects, are located in rural areas, or otherwise occupy premises
where the Avista employee may be "at risk" for manually performing disconnects and/or
reconnects.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company states that the anticipated
benefits of remote disconnect and reconnect capability include: (1) reducing operating and
maintenance expenses related to multiple disconnections and reconnections for urban and rural
accounts; (2) productivity gains of employees by eliminating multiple trips to customer homes
for collections; (3) enhancing employee safety; (4) quicker response time to reconnect service
leading to increased customer satisfaction; and (5) recognizing a reduction in bill defaults and
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30437
write-offs by encouraging prompt consumer payment over time. A vista proposes to report on the
following at the conclusion of the one-year pilot program: (1) number of disconnect devices
installed; (2) reason for installation; (3) utilization of the disconnect devices after installation;
and (4) costs together with realized savings.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application and supporting workpapers
have been filed with the Commission and are available for public inspection during regular
business hours at the Commission offices. The Application is also available on the
Commission s Web site at www.puc.idaho.gov under "File Room" and then "Electric Cases.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has reviewed the filing of
record in Case No. A VU-07-09. The Commission has preliminarily determined that the public
interest may not require a hearing to consider the issues presented in this case and that issues
raised by the Company s filing may be processed under Modified Procedure, i., by written
submission rather than by hearing. IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204. In so doing, the Commission
notes that Modified Procedure and written comments have proven to be an effective means for
obtaining public input and participation.
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. IDAP A 31.01.01.203.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no protests or written comments are
received within the deadline, the Commission will consider the matter and enter its Order
without a hearing. If protests or comments are filed within the deadline, the Commission will
consider them and may, in its discretion, set the matter for hearing or decide the matter and issue
its Order on the basis of the written positions before it. IDAP A 31.01.01.204.
NOTICE OF COMMENTIPROTEST DEADLINE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the deadline for filing written comments
or protests with respect to the Application and the Commission s use of Modified Procedure in
Case No. A VU-07-09 is October 25, 2007. Persons desiring a hearing must specifically
request a hearing in their written protests or comments.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that written comments concerning this case
should be mailed to the Commission and to the Company at the addresses reflected below.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30437
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
Street Address For Express Mail:
472 W. Washington Street
Boise, ID 83702-5983
David 1. Meyer
Vice President and Chief Counsel for
Regulatory and Government Affairs
A vista Corporation
PO Box 3727
1411 E. Mission Ave.
Spokane, W A 99220-3727
E-mail: david.meyer~avistacorp.com
Kelly Norwood
Vice President State and Federal
Regulation
A vista Corporation
PO Box 3727
1411 E. Mission Ave.
Spokane, W A 99220-3727
E-mail: kelly .norwood~avistacorp.com
These 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 homepage 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 A vista at the e-mail addresses listed above.
FINDINGS/CONCLUSIONS
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has jurisdiction over A vista Corporation, its
Application seeking authority to implement a pilot program for remote disconnects and
reconnects, and the issues involved in this case by virtue of Title 61 , Idaho Code, including
Idaho Code ~~ 61-129, 61-301 , 302 , 303 , 61-502, and 61-503 , and the Commission s Rules of
Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
The Commission has preliminarily determined that the public interest may not
require a hearing to consider the issues presented in this case, and that issues raised by the
Company s filing may be processed under Modified Procedure , by written submission
rather than by hearing. IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204. In so doing, the Commission notes that
Modified Procedure and written comments have proven to be an effective means for obtaining
public input and participation.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30437
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this case be processed by Modified Procedure.
Persons interested in submitting written comments regarding this case or protesting the use
Modified Procedure should do so no later than October 25 2007.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this
/~tJ-
day of September 2007.
ARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
MACK A. REDFORD, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
Je D. Jewell
Co mission Secretary
O:A VU-O7-09 dw
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30437