20080625notice_of_application_order_no_30581.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
June 25, 2008
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF A VISTA CORPORATION DBA A VISTA
UTILITIES FOR AN ORDER
AUTHORIZING THE ACCOUNTING OF
WIND GENERATION SITE COSTS AS
CONSTRUCTION WORK IN PROGRESS
CASE NO. A VU-08-
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF
MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30581
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on June 4, 2008, Avista Corporation filed an
Application requesting an order "allowing for costs associated with wind generation site land
land rights, reservation costs, and other incremental costs associated with site evaluation
selection and acquisition to be accounted for as construction work in progress (CWIP), and
allowing for the accrual of allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC)." Avista
Integrated Resource Plan calls for the acquisition of300 MW of wind generation capacity.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application states that in May the
Company purchased permits, studies, lease assignments and wind data for the development of a
wind generation site near Reardan, Washington. The Company is requesting to have all
reservation payments and other costs associated with development of the site accounted for as
CWIP. According to the Application, Commission authorization is required to account for wind
generation site costs in FERC Account 107 -CWIP, because normally this account is used when
plant is in the process of construction. Construction at the site is expected to begin in 2011.
Given the lead time between the expenditures for site costs, the ordering of equipment and start
of construction, A vista states it is necessary to obtain Commission approval to account for these
costs in Account 107-CWIP.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined that the
public interest may not require a formal hearing in this matter and will proceed under Modified
Procedure pursuant to Rules 201 through 204 of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission s Rules
of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204. The Commission notes that Modified Procedure and
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30581
written comments have proven to be an effective means for obtaining public input and
participation.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that any person desiring to state a position on this
Application may file a written comment in support or opposition with the Commission within
twenty-one (21) days from the service date of this Notice. The comment must contain a
statement of reasons supporting the comment. Persons desiring a hearing must specifically
request a hearing in their written comments. Written comments concerning this Application may
be mailed to the Commission and A vista at the addresses reflected below:
Street Address for Express Mail:
David J. Meyer, Vice President
Chief Counsel, Reg. & Gov t Affairs
A vista Corporation
PO Box 3727
1411 East Mission Avenue
Spokane, W A 99220-3727
Mail: david.meyer(fYavistacorp.com
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0074
472 W. Washington Sreet
Boise, ID 83702-5918 Kelly Norwood
Vice President - State & Federal Regulation
A vista Utilities
PO Box 3727
1411 East Mission Avenue
Spokane, WA 99220-3727
Mail: kelly.norwood(fYavistacorp.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 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 A vista 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 on its merits 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.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30581
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 or on the Commission Website at
www.puc.idaho.gov under the "File Room" and then "Electric Cases.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held
pursuant to the Commission s jurisdiction under Title 61 of the Idaho Code and that the
Commission may enter any final order consistent with its authority under Title 61.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be
conducted pursuant to the Commission s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Application of Avista Corporation for an order
authorizing the accounting of wind generation site costs as construction work in progress be
processed by Modified Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204. Persons interested in submitting
written comments in this matter must do so within twenty-one (21) days from the service date of
this Notice.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30581
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this
day of June 2008.
ATTEST:
Je D. Jewell
Co mission Secretary
bls/O:A VU-08-
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30581
MACK A. REDFORD, PRESIDENT
lI~
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER