HomeMy WebLinkAbout20100514Decision Memo.pdfDECISION MEMORANDUM 1
DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO: COMMISSIONER KEMPTON
COMMISSIONER SMITH
COMMISSIONER REDFORD
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
FROM: NEIL PRICE
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE: MAY 12, 2010
SUBJECT: AVISTA’S PROPOSED REVISION OF TARIFF I.P.U.C. NO. 28 FOR
SCHEDULE 63; CASE NO. AVU-E-10-02
On April 20, 2010, Avista Corporation (hereinafter “Avista”) submitted, via
electronic filing, to the Commission Secretary its First Revision of Tariff Sheet No. 63 canceling
Original Sheet No. 63 of Tariff I.P.U.C. No. 28 (hereinafter “Filing”). The Company proposes
an effective date for the revised tariff sheet of May 20, 2010.
TARIFF REQUEST
Avista’s Filing proposes to alter the maximum generating capacity that Schedule No.
63 (Net Metering) customers “may connect to the system while still being eligible for net
metering.” Avista allows customers to enroll as Net Metering customers on a “first come, first
serve” basis until the cumulative generating capacity of all Net Metering customers equals 1.52
MW (0.1% of Avista’s retail peak demand in 1996). In order to be eligible for the Net Metering
Program, customers must own a facility, located on the customer’s premises, that generates
electricity and “uses as its fuel either solar, wind, biomass or hydropower, or represents fuel cell
technology.”
If approved, the allowable generating capacity would increase from its current 25
kilowatt (“kW”) maximum to a 100 kW maximum. Avista states that the “current average
customer using net metering is in the range of 5-10 kWs, the proposed change to 100 kilowatts
would allow for larger generating facilities to be considered.” Avista believes that the proposed
revision “would not impact the distribution system or other customer’s service.”
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff has reviewed the Company’s Filing and would like to obtain additional
information to better evaluate the Company’s plan to increase the maximum generating capacity
allowed for net metering customers. Staff also believes that the increase in capacity is not a
“minor change” to the tariff as allowed by Commission Rule 134.01. Accordingly, Staff
recommends that the Commission suspend the proposed effective date of the Filing and process
the case through Modified Procedure with a 28-day comment period.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to suspend the proposed effective date for Avista’s Filing
pursuant to Idaho Code § 61-622?
Does the Commission wish to process Avista’s Filing through Modified Procedure
with a corresponding 28-day comment period?
M:AVU-E-10-02_np