20090504Comments.pdf

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April 30, 2009
Commissioner Jim Kempton ß?/'Idaho PUC t"
PO Box 83720
Boise, 10 83720-074
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Re: Another Avista Rate Hike
Dear Mr. Kempton,
like most in today's economy, we do not need to see another rate hike with Avista.
Avista Corporation profits continue to increase, and they want more? like most retirees, my husband and I budget
our spending as much as possible. This past winter, almost every month, our gas/electric Avista bil was almost
$300.00. Our thermostat is turned off from about 9:00 PM, til 6:00 AM. Meaning it doesn't matter how cold it
gets in our house, our furnace does not run during these hours. During the day our thermostat is set at 64-65
degrees, never higher. There are only two of us living in our home. We do not leave lights on, we have an energy
efficient hot water heater, washer and dryer, as well as other appliances.
During the month of March/April, our furnace ran very seldom, yet our Avista bil was $188.00. How can this be?
Rate hikes!!! Rate hikes!ll! We have discussed it at lengths and we cannot come up with any other ways to
conserve, therefore trying to lower our Avista bil.
When a company reports profits of 31 milion dollars in their first quarter, and continues to give huge raises to
their CEO's and other employees, how could Avista have the guts to ask for another increase of 31.2 milion??
lts insanity and absolutely uncalled for. Working familes are struggling to make ends meet. In talking to other
people in North Idaho, they, like my husband and me, are putting on layers of clothing in their own homes.
Please do all you can to help stop this yearly increase and insanity. This state and country does not need such
increases.
sincer;li, ~
~d Jil KIncaid
3941 Nicklaus Dr.
Coeur d'Alene, 10 83815
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April 301 2009 :' ØH ~.¡ ;_.,i~"l ii"". .,
Commissioner Jim Kempton ,
Idaho Public Utility Commission
innH1AY -llÅt1 8: 25
Dear Commissioner Kempton:
I am writing asking that you vote against Avista Utilties proposed rate increase.
Today/s paper indicated that Avista/s first quarter profit was large enough to pay
for the increase they had requested. Last year was also profitable for them.
Combine that with the large salary increases that they gave upper management
and I feel they are playing the same game as other large businesses that we have
been hearing about. Raise our rates to give themselves a raise!!
President Obama his tax reduction for the middle class which is supposed to help
with the economic situation our country is in. In my case Avista's increase wil
basically wipe out 50% of the tax stimulus increase!
Please send Avista the message that this is not the right time for an increase but
also that the public has had enough of executives givingthemselves outrageous
raises.
Sincerelyi
/~UdAd4-Robert Silva
2217 E. Hayden View Dr.
Coeur dl Alenei ID 83815
208-635-5054
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Apri129~ 2009 2009 HAY - i Pii 2: 26
Commsioner Jim Kempton Idao PUC ~-
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720,0074
Dear Commssioner Kempton:
I am wrti to express to you that Avita Utiities needs to reduce their rates
instead of increasing their rates. We are on a fied income and it has been very
difcult payig our utiities and I thi the fact that our area is very depressed they
should not be giving five people huge raises in their bonuses. I thi instead of
increasing they need to do a little decreasin to help the economy. It certaiy
would help those on fied incomes. Avista is a monopoly and we have no choice
but pay but you should be doin a little better job of reguati them.
I don't usually wrte letters but feel this is important to our welfare and also to the
economy of Idaho.
Respectfully yours,
d/cl
eorge &JoAn Shaw
440 South Glenwood Drive
Post Falls, ID 83854,7919
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Jean Jewell
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From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Jean Jewell
Monday, May 04,200910:53 AM
Jean Jewell
FW: Consumer ComplainUlnquiry Form
- - - - -Original Message- - - --
From: Rcflugel~aol. com (mail to: Rcflugel~aol . com L
Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 4: 02 AM
To: Front; Beverly Barker; Ed Howell
Subject: Consumer Complaint/Inquiry Form
A Complaint/Inquiry from Dick Flugel follows:
Name: Dick Flugel
Contact E-Mail: Rcflugel~aol.com
Daytime Telephone: 20S 661-1351
Home Address: 7303 N. 4th st.
City: Dalton Gardens
State: ID
Zipcode: 83815
If this concerns a Business, Business Name: Avista Business Address: Spokane, WA Business
Phone:
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Have you contacted the utility regarding your concern?: yes
Please describe your question or complaint briefly:
I am a retired business person. WE have stock in Avista and want them to make a profit. My
issue is when they are exceeding the limits of a fair profit by cutting costs. Their answer
is to raise proffits by asking you to raise rates to customers. When natural gas ran up
above $13.00 I understood the reason for rate incresases. Today that cost has dropped to
belove $4.00. I do not see Avista dropping their rates accordingly. They are asking you for
anoterh rate increase. Gas stations could not maintain $4.00 gasoline when Crude oil
dropped. You shuold be requiring a rate reduction not a increase
The form submitted on http://www.puc.idaho.gov/forms/cons/cons.html
IP address is 207. 20e .116 .131
cons
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Jean Jewell
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From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
debi07 ~Iocalnet. com
Monday, May 04, 20092:36 AM
Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness; Ed Howell
PUC Comment Form
A Comment from Debi Pielli follows:
Case Number: AVU-E-09-01
Name: Debi Pielli
Address: 115 Talache Loop Rd.
City: Sagle
State: Id.
Zip: 83860
Daytime Telephone: [phone]Contact E-Mail: debi07~localnet.com ~~
Name of utility Company: Avista Utili ties Add to Mailing List: ~
Please describe your comment briefly:
I absolutely think the commission should deny any rate increases by Avista. In this economic
climate, we the customers have had to tighten our belts in every way. I understand businesses
need to profit to stay in business, but now isn't the time to increase again. When Avista
showed a good profit, they should be darn happy. Why can't utilities tighten their belts and
suck it up, instead of dinging their customers every year? Please consider the customers and
the impact another increase will have.
Thank you.
The form submitted on http://www.puc.idaho.gov/forms/ipuc1/ipuc.html
IP address is 67.72.98.45
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Jean Jewell
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From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
pauchris(§verizon. net
Sunday, May 03, 2009 11: 18 AM
Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness; Ed Howell
PUC Comment Form
A Comment from Wilbur Christensen follows:
Case Number: AvU -f-Oe¡-61/ÆVtt-c.-o"l-ol
Name: Wilbur Christensen
Address: 396 S Forest Glen Blvd
City: Post Falls
State: ID
Zip: 83854
Daytime Telephone: 2Ø8-714-Ø443
Contact E-Mail: pauchris~verizon.net
Name of Utili ty comp~ Avista
Add to Mailing List: ~
Please describe your comment briefly:
According to the CoeurD' Alene Press Avista made a first quarter 2ØØ9 large profit plus a
large bonus to their CEO. Because of this I do not believe Avista needs a further rate hike.
Making a profit is recognizable acceptable but large surplus profit is greedy and
unacceptable.
The form submitted on http://www. puc. idaho.gov/forms/ipuc1/ipuc. html
IP address is 68.238.141.9
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Jean Jewell
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From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
parodyf(§cdabnline. net
Sunday, May 03,200910:39 AM
Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness; Ed Howell
PUC Comment Form
A Comment from Fran Parody follows:
Case Number: AVU-E-Ø9-Ø1 and AVU-G-Ø9-Ø1
Name: Fran Parody
Address: 17951 South Raccoon Court
City: Coeur d Alene
State: ID
Zip: 83814
Daytime Telephone: iø8-665-7Ø78
Contact E-Mail: parodyf~cdaonline.netName of utili ty com~~vistaAdd to Mailing List ~
Please describe your comment briefly:
· Briefly' . .. . . . .
1) Avista is asking for a 15.8% combined electricity and gas rate increase. Last October
they received a 16.6% increase. Avista says this is to deal with growing numbers of
customers and aging infrastructure. They also state they now spend $iøø,øøø,ØØØ a year in
upgrades. How much more do they need? I mean, we are only one state, and they don't even
service all of Idaho. I' m sure other utility companies are experiencing the same customer
growth. Two years ago, one could have a phone re- connected in a day - - now it takes two
weeks. So we wait; we don't pay higher rates to get it done more quickly.
2) The Power Cost Adjustment makes the increase sound more palatable, but that is only for
one year. Who knows what will happen after that.
3) We are in a recession/depression scenario. We cannot afford increased costs in
everything. I am retired, on a fixed income - - and I can only put on so many sweaters inside
my house. We just cannot afford these all-too-frequent increases. Everyone is budgeting;
everyone is cutting back. We can't afford more expenses!
4) Reference is made to Avista' s executives' compensation not being funded from our utility
payments. I think it was stated that comes from shareholders. But the bottom line is: this
is a utility company; that' s where the income comes from. Stock is issued because it's
publicly traded, but it is a Utility Company. So I would think the bottom line is that
executive compensation ultimately comes from its sale of utilities, not stock. Perhaps a few
cuts in the salary/bonus department might be in order.
I sincerely hope that when you are considering Avista' s request, you also consider the plight
of the average American, not just a large corporation's desires.
Thank you,
Fran Parody
The form submitted on http://www . puc. idaho. gov Iforms/ipuc1/ipuc. html
IP address is 69.41.144.25Ø
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