20090616Motion for Approval Stipulation, Settlement.pdf

David J. Meyer, Esq.
Vice President and Chief Counsel of
Regulatory and Governental Affairs
A vista Corporation
1411 E. Mission Avenue
P. O. Box 3727
Spokane, Washington 99220
Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
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UT\~\T\ES COlXM1SSION
Donald L. Howell, II
Deputy Attorney General
Idaho Public Utilties Commission Staff
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF A VISTA CORPORATION FOR THE
AUTHORITY TO INCREASE ITS RATES
AND CHARGES FOR ELECTRIC AND
NATURAL GAS SERVICE TO ELECTRIC
AND NATURAL GAS CUSTOMERS IN THE
STATE OF IDAHO
)
) CASE NOS. A VU-E-09-01
) AVU-G-09-01
)
) MOTION FORAPPROV ALOF
) STIPULATION AND
) SETTLEMENT
COMES NOW, Avista Corporation ("Avista" or "Company") and the
Commission Staff, and hereby move the Commission for an Order accepting the
settlement Stipulation filed herewith. RP 56; 272; 274. This Motion is based on the
following:
1. On Januar 23, 2009, Avista fied an Application with the Commission for
authority to increase revenue from electric and natural gas service in Idaho by 12.8% and
3.0%, respectively. If approved, the Company's revenues for electrc base retail rates
Motion for Approval of Stipulation and Settlement Page 1 of4
would have increased by $31.2 milion anually; Company revenues for natural gas
service would have increased by $2.7 milion anually. The Company requested an
effective date of Februar 23, 2009, for its proposed electric/gas rate increase. By Order
No. 30728, dated Februar 11,2009, the Commission suspended the proposed schedules
of rates and charges for electric and natual gas service for a period of thirt (30) days
plus five (5) months, from Febru 23, 2009, or until such time as the Commission
entered an Order accepting, rejecting or modifying the Application in this matter.
2. Petitions to intervene in this proceeding were filed by Clearater, Idaho
Forest, CAPAI, ICAN, and the Conservation League. By various orders, the CommissiCl
granted these interventions. See, IPUC Order Nos. 30735, 30737, 30745, and 30772.
3. Public workshops for Avista customers were held on May 12,2009, in
Sandpoint, Idaho, and on May 13,2009, in Lewiston, Idaho, for the purpose of explaining
the Company's Application, and in order to provide an opportity for customers to ask
questions of Staf. Furher public customer hearings are scheduled for June 16, 2009, in
Moscow, Idaho and June 17,2009, in Coeur d Alene, Idaho. The technical hearing is
scheduled to begin on June 29, 2009.
4. On May 29, 2009, Commission Staff, Clearater, Idaho Forest and
CAPAI submitted pre-fied direct testimony. Staff recommended in its pre-fied
testimony an electric base revenue increase of$8.62 milion or 3.91 %, and a natural gas
base revenue increase of$1.89 milion or 2.06%. To offset these rate increases, Staff
recommended that the electric Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) and the Purchase Gas
Adjustment (PGA) be reduced.
Motion for Approval of Stipulation and Settlement Page 2 of4
5. Based on settlement discussions, the Paries whose signatures appear on
the Stipulation have agreed to resolve and settle all of the issues in the case. A copy of
the signed Stipulation evidencing that settlement is enclosed as Attachment 1.
6. The Paries recommend that the Commission grant this Motion and
approve the Stipulation in its entirety, without material change or condition, pursuant to
RP 274.
7. The Paries respectfully request that the Commission consider the Motion,
the Stipulation, and the pre-filed testimony in support of the Stipulation at the time of the
evidentiar hearings scheduled for June 29 through July 1,2009.
8. As noted in the Stipulation, all of the Paries agree that the Stipulation is in
the public interest and that all of its terms and conditions are fair, just and reasonable.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Paries respectfully request that the Commission issue
a final order in Case Nos. AVU-E-09-01 and AVU-G-09-01:
1. Granting this Motion and accepting the Stipulation (Attachment 1), in its
entirety, without material change or condition; and
2. Authorizing the Company to implement revised tariff schedules designed
to recover the additional anual electric and natual gas revenue from Idaho customers
consistent with the terms of the Stipulation; and
3. Authorizing that revised tariff schedules be made effective August 1,
2009.
Motion for Approval of Stipulation and Settlement Page 3 of4
08/18/200813:30 FAX [phone] AVIST A CORP Il 003/003
Respectflly submitted tls 16th day of June, 200,
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Donald L. Ho I, n
Deputy Attory Genera
Idaho Public Utilities Commssion Staf
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