20100217final_order_no_31009.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
February 17 2010
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF AVISTA CORPORATION FOR
AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT A PILOT
PROGRAM FOR REMOTE DISCONNECTS
AND RECONNECTS
CASE NO. A VU-07-
ORDER NO. 31009
Before the Commission is a request by Avista Corporation ("Avista" or "Company
for an extension of its limited waiver of IDAP A 31.21.01.311.04 and 311.05 (Utility Customer
Relations Rules) and a 50% reduction in reconnect fees, granted for the purpose of implementing
its Remote Disconnect and Reconnect Pilot Program, while the Company prepares, files and the
Commission ultimately reviews a comprehensive report documenting the results of the pilot
program.
PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
On August 31 , 2007, A vista filed an Application seeking approval to implement a
pilot program for the remote disconnection and reconnection of customers to its system. A vista
also requested a limited waiver of Utility Customer Relations Rule 311.04 and 311.05 (IDAP A
31.21.01.311.04 and .05) related to the final customer notification prior to disconnection. The
Company requested that its Application be processed through Modified Procedure. IDAP
31.01.01.201-.204.
On September 19, 2007, the Commission issued a Notice of Application and Notice
of Modified Procedure, establishing a deadline for the submission of comments and/or protests.
Commission Staff filed comments supporting the Company s Application. AARP Idaho filed
comments opposing the Company s Application. Likewise, the Community Action Partnership
Association of Idaho ("CAP AI"filed comments opposing approval of the Company
Application as well as the Commission s use of Modified Procedure. Additionally, CAP
requested that the Commission convene a technical hearing and order a workshop regarding the
Company s proposal.
On December 4, 2007, the Commission deferred judgment on the Company
Application and ordered workshops to further refine and develop details of the pilot program.
See Order No. 30471.
ORDER NO. 31009
On March 27 2008, a public workshop was held at the Commission s office in Boise
during which the parties reached a tentative agreement on most of the issues. Representatives
from A vista, Commission Staff, CAP AI and AARP attended the workshop. At the conclusion of
the workshop, participants agreed to continue working informally on the issues of customer
notification and identification of the data to be collected during the course of the pilot.
On April 28, 2008 , Avista submitted its Revised Application pursuant to Order No.
30471. The Revised Application incorporated certain changes to the pilot program agreed to
during the March 2008 public workshop as well as subsequent correspondence between the
parties.
On July 30, 2008, the Commission approved Avista s Application to implement an
I8-month pilot program and ordered that, upon completion of the pilot program, the Company
shall prepare "a detailed report with the Commission documenting its findings. . ..Order No.
30603 at 10.
On January 28 , 2010, Avista submitted a letter to the Commission requesting an
extension of its limited waiver of IDAP A 31.21.01.311.04 and 311.05 (Utility Customer
Relations Rules granted for the purpose of implementing its Remote Disconnect and Reconnect
Program. )
AVISTA'S REQUEST
A vista notes in its letter to the Commission that "the I8-month pilot program is set to
expire on January 30, 2010" and that the Commission ordered the Company to "prepare and file
a detailed report with the Commission documenting its findings and utilizing the data identified
in its Revised Application, as well as any other useful and relevant data which could be used to
assess the effectiveness of the remote disconnect and reconnect program in reducing the
Company s overall operating costs, enhancing employee safety or improving the quality of
service to its customers." Order No. 30603. Pursuant to this Commission requirement
, "
Avista
requests 90 days to complete and report on the results of the pilot program." The Company
states that it "intends to complete its study and file it with the Commission no later than April 30
2010.
Meanwhile, the Company requests that it be allowed to "continue the terms of the
pilot as the documentation is being prepared, (including) the limited waiver of the above
mentioned rule for the customers that are currently participating in the pilot and the 50%
ORDER NO. 31009
reduction in disconnect fees until such time that the Commission has had the opportunity to
assess the effectiveness of the remote disconnect and reconnect program.
ST AFF RECOMMMENDA TION
Staff reviewed Avista s letter and recommended that the Commission approve the
Company s request to continue all of the provisions of the pilot program until the Commission
has been able to assess the program s effectiveness.
COMMISSION DECISION AND FINDINGS
The Commission has reviewed Avista s current filing and Staffs recommendation of
the filing. Accordingly, the Commission approves A vista s request to continue its Remote
Disconnect and Reconnect Pilot Program, including the previously approved waiver of VCR
Rules 311.04 and 311.05. A 50% reduction in reconnect fees is authorized until the Commission
has had an adequate opportunity to review the Company s forthcoming report regarding the
results of the pilot program, and to assess its effectiveness. In reaching this finding, the
Commission notes that it has not received any objection or negative feedback regarding the
Company s request for a brief continuation of the terms of the pilot program.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
A vista Corporation is an electrical corporation as the term is defined in Idaho Code
61-119. The Commission has jurisdiction over Avista Corporation, an electric utility, and the
issues presented in this case pursuant to Title 61 of the Idaho Code, specifically Idaho Code
61-302 61-303 61-401 61-406 and 61-501.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that A vista Corporation may continue the terms of its
Remote Connect and Disconnect Pilot Program, including the previously approved waiver of
UCR Rules 311.04 and 311.05. A 50% reduction in reconnect fees is authorized until such time
as the Commission is able to review the Company s report regarding the results of the pilot
program and assess the program s effectiveness.
THIS IS A FINAL ORDER. Any person interested in this Order (or in issues finally
decided by this Order) may petition for reconsideration within twenty-one (21) days of the
service date of this Order with regard to any matter decided in this Order. Within seven (7) days
ORDER NO. 31009
after any person has petitioned for reconsideration any other person may cross-petition for
reconsideration. See Idaho Code 9 61-626.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this f4\.
day of February 2010.
11 . KEMPTON RE DENT
J)~
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
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Commission Secretary
O:A VU-07-09 _np2
ORDER NO. 31009