20090507Comments.pdf

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TO:
can
Commissioner Jim Kempton and anyone else whohelp. #l
Avista Bills and rate raises,;
r(!...f..~i I . ''it:!~.Ir...It is time that someone ste an~ ~nt a stop
to al t e rate ikes tha nt to make. Allbecause they hadto time all eir CE~~ nd Board
members a large raise. T t',g i r~ raises
were Morris, Malquist, Durkih, ~ in. 6nd Meyer.
ey can accept a raise like xhat a Xboße of us"-Jt.)!! LJ. J
who are ','fixed" income are having to cut"'Iack and
go wi thout medications, etc. in order to pay ourAvista biii. They are crying that they just don i t
have enough coming in to meet their expenses. Well
neither do I. Then an article comes out in the paper
just last week stating that their Avista profits,j ust throR~b:bhe,nionth of March this year, was
#31 million. So why do they need to raise their
rates "fhen they are making profits like that. Wesure are not.
We turned our heat way down this winter and just
put on more sweaters to keep warm in the house and
it didn i t seem to help in our bills at all.
Why not, if there are people who cannot pay their
bill, some of these people I listed above could
offer to pay the bi i i for them. Am sure they have
the money to do so. Would like to see them, just
for one month, try to live on what us people on
fixed incomes live on. Doubt they could do it.
RE:
So I am asking that stomone put a stop to all this
raise hike and make them help those of us who are
not able to pay high prices with~ut cutting somethin
else out. Please HELP.
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To: Conmssioner Jim Kempton ~
Re: Avìsta rate ìncrease
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I am wntìngtoexpress my losì!ìon agaìt the propo~ed .Avì~~\Wft¡:~ll';i~\íikê .'.'
many others today, are expenencmg very toug fiancial tImes.' Many of us are havmg a
dìffcult tìme sìmply payìg the bìls, yet A vìsta request a rate ìncree durng a tie of
recessìon. Nearly everyg ìn our daly lìves ha ha an ìncrease ìn cost, ìncludìng gas,
groceries, sales ta, utìlty rates and the endless other ìtems whìch cost have ìncreased.
We are sìmply beìng nìckel and dìmed to death every tìme we tu around. My utìlty
bìls are at record hìgh despìte every effort to conserve. Ths ìs not the tìme to ìncrease
any cost for the cìtìzens who use theìr servìces. Please consìder the many who have been
laìd off, lost theìr homes or ar otherwse fiancìally strgglìng.
Below ìs factu ìnformatìon whìch clearly justìfy NO LEGITIMTE NEED for a rate
ìncrease:
1) A vìsta reported ths week profits of $31 mìllon though March, compared wìth a net
ìncome of $25.2 mìllon the fit quaer of2008.
2) Profits at Avìsta Corp. roseìn the fit quaer of 2009 to alost exactly the amount
the company ìs seekìg ìn ìncreased electrc rates.
3) A statement quote'from Scott L. Morrs, Avìsta Chaìan Presìdent and CEO: "We
ha a strong firstquaer and ar off to a grat sta ìn 2009," "Even wìth the declìne ìn
the economy, we saw approxìmately 1 percent growt ìn both electrc and natual gas
customers dur the first quaer of 2009 as compared to the first quaer of 2008."
4) Because of snow pack condìtìons and projected stram flows, A vìsta expects
hydroelectrc generatìon to be nea norm for 2009.
5) Per Mr. Morrs, "We ar also experiencìng lower purchased power and fuel prices, as
well as a decrease ìn natual gas costs,".
6) In 2008, Avìsta's net ìncome was $73.6 mìlHon. In 2007 ìt was $38.5 mìllon.
7) A vìsta has contìnualy raìsed rates whìle theìr profits ìncrease.
Many people I know are, for the first tie, not able to pay theìr utìlty bìls ìn fuL. I
know, I am one ofthese people due to the recent rate ìncreases. For the fit tìme ìn my
lìfe, I have not been able to pay my bìl ìn ful and must car over the balance. Based on
the above ìnormatìon, there ìs no possìble way a rate ìncrease ìs needed or justìfied. In
fact, a rate decrease ìs ìn order and supported by the above ìnormatìon. There ìs a
dìfference between rug a profitable busìness and greed. Thìs ìs nothg more than
greed on behalf of A vìsta.
.." ,
Than you;
Brian Hìrzel
737 E. Roundup Cìrcle
Hayden, Id.83835
Bwhìzel~yahoo.com
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2009 MAY -6 AM 8: 19
May 3,2009
commìSSì,o, ner Jim Kempton"gf' " " '
Idaho PUC
POBox 83720
Boìse ID 83720-0074
Mr. Commissìoner:
As yOu wen know, the ecnomy ìs not in the best condiion. Ou country is ìn tenble
debt and our new presìdent expects the fure tapayers to pay offthìs debt, your
clliJØren: grandchìldren and mìne,
Yet ìn thìs time of crisìs, A vista has cho~n to ask for a, rate ìncreae ìn their gas and
elecrìc utìltìes. As you do thìs, it is my fiöpethat you have weighted the consequences
as to the debìlittìng afec this wìl have on many of the citizns that are low ìncome,
fixed income an the unemployed.
My husband and I are ìn the fixed ìncome category. We budget tìghtly and manage to
have a lìttle left over afer the month, We are blessed. However, have you though what
ths ìncrease wil do to the cìtizens I mentìóned above. May have chìldren or
grandchìldren to feed, keep wam and clothed, Many of theìrbudgets are already
stretched as far as possìble.
I canvalidateån increase ìfitwas trly needed, From the reports on TV andìn the
newspaper, ìtreadslìke an AIG copy. To aford the CEO's of Avista huge bonuses and
then ask for a rate increase is totaly ilogicaL. Where are your common sense and your
compassìon? Maybe you slept through that meeng or class ìn schoolot allowed our
changed socìety to dictate your decisions.
Pleasei:eyiew yournecessityofthìs rate ìncrease. Is ths ajuStìfedmove? ., " ,.
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May 3,2009
ZOfi9HAY -6 AM 8: 21
Idaho Public Utilties Commission
P. O. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0074
Ref:Avista Rate Request
I am enclosing a copy of my Coeur d'Alene Press article that
expresses the majority opinion of most rate payers serviced by
Avista Utilities in Kootenai County area. The Press ran articles
sent in by many residents expressing their disgust with a public
utility and a monopoly that says one thing and does just the
opposite. They claimed to be practicing a conservative and
economical operation at the same time paying out for a % page
propaganda ad in the Idaho and Washington areas and signed
by the same CEO and his next in line henchman who received
the excessive bonuses and pay increases. The cost for these
propaganda ads could have been used to reduce their gas and
electric rates further. These excessive bonuses are not paid
primarily by shareholders, but from the monthly income that the
rate payers are biled where operating budgets, payroll,
bonuses, utility equipment, advertising and shareholder
quarterly dividends are put in specific accounts. Avista spends
many thousands in advertising revenue and didn't convince any
of us rate payers the point they were trying to get across in their
many newspaper ads. All utilities are monopolies and the
average rate payer gets disgusted when they spend thousands
to change and insulate their homes and just continue to see
their utilty bils keep increasing.
Our heating bil during the long winter months this year
continued to stay high even when we put on warmer clothing
and more blankets and turned down the thermostat below 65
degrees. Each month it was $385. to $400. for someone older,
and with an 86 yr. old female and both on fixed incomes. When
Avista needs additional revenue, they just increase your utility
bil. The rate payers are forced to rely on an accurate meter
Cont. (2)
reading since most don't have the foggiest how to figure their
own monthly usage. i once had my electric utilty provider in
Calif. tell me everyhing was 100% OK when all at once, my
electricity biling suddenly jumped by 20% from the previous
month and continued so. Nothing new had been added, daily
usage hadn't changed aftr filing my complaint. They checked
my meter and sent me a lettr stating my meter was within
tolerances. My bil continued to stay high. i requested another
meter check and a meter change while i stayed home from my
employment. The old meter was lab checked and found to have
been running 6% fast. This after getting my tolerance lettr that
everying was OK. This is the honesty of the utilities.
When Avista and any utility applies for a rate increase, they just
raise the amount they really want higher, knowing it's basically
like a legal law suit when someone sues someone or entity in
court for a specific amount. They just raise or double the
amount of the suit, knowing they wil probably only end up
getting awarded a lower percentage. This is common sense
thinking.
Avista doesn't need additional revenue or a rate increase, they
just need to eliminate or lower the bonuses and cut corners like
the rest of us are doing in a recession period. If Avista's top 5
executives can't live on their inflated salaries, then they need to
step down and look for other employment. Let someone leaner
minded and more understanding of life step in.
Thanking you for your understanding, please.
Respectfully,
Bil Singleton
7507 E. High View Rd.
Coeur d'Alene, 1083814
CC-FILES (3)
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The Press, Friday, April 'IÖ:~Ó09
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IBare root' can appiyrrto anYPJant..-;ater.it.Utì"c
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Mobil
'åFè;!~éitHtiouied or even'lîuwtò.:"l!1
flo'nrp thpir hmirin- , .' ,,';J._~~'~ov~t:neìr'ur:ii.i,'~'f"".tl
; and m, . any otlersasking: fo, r helP" ,:,,".1 ;
and Avista executives gettng , : .
pay increases of the magni~:, i I
" tude in Bil Buley's article, this"
doesn't make Avista appear very ..? '
trustorthy, Ths really looks'
like another AIG, When,most
others are heing'asked to econo-
mize and tighten their belts,
Avista management appears to
be buyig a bigger sized belt. .
Our monthly utility bils, wi
two quife elderly residents out
of thee, even with weatherizing,
wei.g additional clothg and
lowering the thermostat, aver-
aged $375 per month. We .were
told that our gas meter was
ilegalIorbeing ùnder a decking
that was built by the previous
owner two years prior, which
cost us an unexpcted $500.
When we asked the Avista rep
why it had to be moved since it
was still accessible, his reply was.
because they knew aboutit now
and it had to be moved to the
outside wal of the garage. Avista
sent two trucks, thee workers
- one a supervisor - on the
day we had scheduled with a
, heàtigcompany to handle the
re-piping.With their diggig and
pipe-attchig, ths job' could
have been handled by two,
When you read that Avista's
incentive pay from the previous
By BILL SINGLETON
Special to The Press
r
r'
see MY TURN. C5 t
Thè topping on the cake was
Bil Buley's article on Avista
President and CEO Scott Morris
gett.ng a $173,847 base salar
increase, and an overall salary
of $.2.2 millon. This really on
the backs óf the rate payers and
sti clking for an electrc rate
increase of 7 ,8 percent along'wi a3percent increase in natu-
ra gas'rates.
Avista daimsthey're aggres-
sivelycontiuipg to manage
. thèir cost. I would ask where? .
Thet are'a iiWnnP?IYwith
. verr.atte controls. 'Part of'
ths çostcontrol was exhbited
tecell~Y with a hal-page propa-.
gadaad titled "A Letter to the ¡lCommunity," which, asked rate!..,.'.
payers for trust and uiderstad-
in~.Thisad was signed by CEO '¡.¡i
'1\1?rrisand President Vermion t..I
ul1qertheir"managig their ,;,,;1
. cost" propaganda. When a uti11:l.,J
. needs exta,revenue, they have ii:'!"
abuiIt~in source when the aver~J\¡
ageratepaverhas.no,idea ifthe~~H
MY TURN
fr.om C1
r
year increased by $715, 000
. between just five executives! and dur these recession
ties, and they're still askig
for rate increases in gas and
electc, this should increase
the distrust and let us see
tieone-sided communty
conitment. Should anyone.
be surrised to see ths hap-
pening with utilitíes when
thêyare only oiit to increase
their stockholders' dividends
and increase their rate pay-
ers'base?
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;~'èlièver il goyernment;,
; troIs, but with motloPn~
'iIDd fuel suppliers, soiÎe ,',
~ilóS to bed~me to protect"':;;1
~;t;~~t~~Ü¿:å~li~ì'd¡heir Incomes;' EspeC1alY:,#"':
.:fPose retied on fiedJ. ,',...' .. " .'incomes. . "'. '.'"'' ,
¡~~.'leworld'§?ilco,riR~. ,'; . ,tiol a fuel stlPplyptiít'§
nt automobiles eái-",;'
operate without TheY.
()1 all phasesfr0ÍD ..'
. pumping, transpotti .mgand"distrbùtllJ
control'the.suPPPl~(1!
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"bi1,inçreáse_;~driY, .lien~',,,',';.
'm' CoèW d'A1e~e:yoürwáte,r:,
'1?il'stays prett'teasonahle"3W,¡
,:d" "al séásons ofthè "éåf1~.~1,opinoiis:andYQtig for, tl0se :.
~;r~.~,~~t~
; Bil Sin9IElt?nJ~~~o~u!dAIt;nt!d,
reSident. ,,' ',' ~. to ''''c. " ',' d, ,
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~I~ S:/IL/dq
Jean Jewell
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From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
cavanaughjrpa~msn.com
Tuesday, May 05,20098:33 AM
Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness; Ed Howell
PUC Comment Form
A Comment from James R. Cavanaugh follows:
- - - ----- --- --- ----- - - - - - -- - - - -- - - - --
Case Number: AVU-E-=9=01
Name: James R. Cavanaugh
Address: 4048 E. 2nd Ave. J Apt A
City: Post Falls Idaho
State: Idaho
Zip: 83854
Daytime Telephone: [phone]
Contact E-Mail: cavanaugh;rpa~sn.com
Name of Utility comp~~AvistaAdd to Mailing List ~
Please describe your comment briefly:
With the profit they had for 2008 and the very high salary increases they gave to the top
employees I can' t see why the consumer should have to bear the the cost of the salary
increases!
The form submitted on http://www . puc. idaho. gov Iforms/ipuc1/ipuc. html
IP address is 75.216.121.100
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1
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$ II/
Jean Jewell
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
nonasmom~verizon. net
Tuesday, May 05,20097:32 AM
Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness; Ed Howell
PUC Comment Form
A Comment from Joan Santos follows:
Case Number: AVU -li-l -0 II MIA -e -0 "'-o /
Name: Joan Santos
Address:
Ci ty: Coeur d' Alene
State: ID
Zip: 83815
Daytime Telephone:
Contact E-Mail: nonasmo~verizon.net
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Add to Mailing List:
Please describe your comment briefly:
It seems to me Avista shouldn i t be raising the rates on electricity and natural gas any
more. The company's top 5 are making overly large salaries already, and stock holder 's
making better than average profits I understand. In the current economy especially, this
company should not be able to raise rates again. thanks.
The form submitted on http://www . puc. idaho. gOY /forms/ipuc1/ipuc. html
IP address is 78.118.34.88
i
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Jean Jewell
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From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Front
Tuesday, May 05,200912:38 PM
Nancy Hylton
Gene Fadness; Jean Jewell
FW: Consumer Complaint/Inquiry Form
- - - - -Original Message- - - --
From: frogybotto~sn. com (mail to: frogybotto~sn . com J
Sent: Tuesday, May a5, 2aa9 6: 22 AM
To: Front; Beverly Barker; Ed Howell
Subject: Consumer Complaint/Inquiry Form
A Complaint/Inquiry from Larry Easterly follows:
-- -- - - - - -- - -- ---- -- - - -- - - -- - - -- - - - --
Name: Larry Easterly
Contact E-Mail: frogybotto~sn.com
Daytime Telephone: 2a8-457-8172
Home Address: 3a9 e. 13th
City: POST FALLS
State: ID
Zipcode: 83854- 7627
If this concerns a Business, Business Name:
Business Address:
Business Phone:
Name of Utility Company: Avista (Gas &Electric) Have you contacted the utility regarding
your concern?: yes
Please describe your question or complaint briefly:
I tell them monthly, please don't raise our rates on gas and electricity. They make too
much money on our backs, they pay their administration people too much, nobody is worth the
money they make! They always want a 15% or more increase every year, we can't afford this all
the time on Social Security. They bragg about how much profit the make and at the same time
want more and more. They bragg on the amount of money they pay the top execi ti ves. If I made
the same amount of money they make ($2,000,000.00 + per year) I wouldn't say a word either.
I've been here over 63 years and I don i t think people like us should have to pay for the
developers getting rich and making us pay more for Avista r s problems of putting up more poles
and lines. Please don't allow them to rape us some more.
Thanks
Larry
The form submitted on http://www . puc. idaho. gOY /forms/ cons/ cons. html
IP address is 96.249.118.247
cons
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1
IPftl.,
Jean Jewell
~1 AV,1/'1 ~.
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From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
vaLleane~yahoo,com
Tuesday, May OS, 2009 4:57 AM
Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness; Ed Howell
PUC Comment Form
A Comment from William Wolfe follows:
- -------- --- - - - - --- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --
Case Number: unknown AVu -£ -09 -0/ I AV(, -G -oc; -0 I
Name: William Wolfe
Address: 1221 E. Wallacde
City: Coeur d i Alene
State: Idaho
Zip: 83814
Daytime Telephone: [phone]
Contact E-Mail: vallean~yahoo.com
Name of Utility Comp~AvistaAdd to Mailing List ~
Please describe your comment briefly:
I am opposed to the rate increase proposed by Avista. They need to tighten their belts just
like the rest of us-especially in the area of executive compensation. I would also like to
see a tiered rate schedule for electric and gas where the price increases as the usage
increases. This will allow lower income rate payers to have affordable utili tes. Higher use
rate payers are causing Avista to purchase more electricity and gas at higher rates and they
should pay these increased costs. Higher use enni ties should not be subsidized by the poor.
Thank you for considering my comments, William Wolfe
The form submitted on http://www . puc. idaho. gov /forms/ipuc1/ipuc. html
IP address is 98.145.66.187--- -- - - -- ---- --- -- - - - -- - -- - - - - -- - - --
1
Jean Jewell
~.11,r~t/~~'~ H
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
chujans~verizon, net
Monday, May 04,20093:57 PM
Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness; Ed Howell
PUC Comment Form
A Comment from Charles and Janice Somers follows:
- - ------ --- - - - - ---- -- - - --- - - - - - - - - --
Case Number: AVU-E-otf-olj Afu -6'"9-01
Name: Charles and Janice Somers
Address: 9015 N Torrey Lane
Ci ty: Hayden
State: ID
Zip: 83835
Daytime Telephone: [phone]
Contact E-Mail: chujans~verizon.net
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Add to Mailing List:
Please describe your comment briefly:
Please do not allow Avista to raise their rates. There is no reason to as they are
obviously making an income that is more than adequate for the share holders as well as the
highly paid executives.
The form submitted on http://www . puc. idaho. gov Iforms/ipucl/ipuc. html
IP address is 68.238.142.234
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