20151125press release.pdf

Case No. AVU-E-15-08, Order No. 33385
Contact: Gene Fadness [phone], 890-2712
www.puc.idaho.gov

Avista Utilities plans to meet load growth
with energy efficiency, natural gas plants

Idaho commission taking comment on Avista long-range plan

BOISE (November 25, 2015) – Avista Utilities is counting on energy efficiency measures to
offset more than half its projected load growth over the next 20 years.

The utility, which serves about 125,000 electric customers in northern Idaho, is asking the Idaho
Public Utilities Commission to accept its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which outlines how the
utility plans to meet load growth over the next two decades. The utility must file an updated
IRP with the commission every two years.

While population and employment growth are starting to recover from the Great Recession,
the utility nonetheless revised downward – from 1% to 0.6% -- its annual load growth
projection from its 2013 IRP.

Efforts in energy efficiency have reduced Avista’s load requirement by 127 average megawatts,
which was about 11% of the utility’s total load in 2014. Energy efficiency and market purchases
push out the first anticipated long-term capacity deficit to 2021 at the earliest.

The first anticipated resource addition is a 96-megawatt natural gas-fired peaking plant at the
end of 2020 to replace expiring contracts and serve load growth. In 2026, the company
anticipates building a 286-MW combined-cycle combustion turbine natural gas plant.

In total, the utility plans on adding about 565 MW of new natural gas generation through 2035
and acquiring another 193 MW winter peak reduction through energy efficiency programs (132
MW annual average).

Avista’s plan continues to rely on coal-fired generation, primarily through its 15% share in each
of two Colstrip coal plant units in Montana, from where it gets about 222 MW. Coal comprises
about 13% of Avista’s annual generation.

Most of Avista’s generation (51% in the winter and 38% annual average) comes from
hydroelectric resources. Natural gas provides about 37% in the winter and 42% of annual
generation.

Acceptance of the plan by the commission does not mean the anticipated plants or projects will
be completed, but only that the utility has met its long-range planning requirements. The IRP is
updated every two years to account for changing circumstances.

The commission is taking comments on the plan through Dec. 18. Comments are accepted via
e-mail through by accessing the commission’s Website at www.puc.idaho.gov and clicking on
"Case Comment Form,” under the “Consumers” heading. Fill in the case number (AVU-E-15-08)
and enter your comments. Comments can also be mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-
0074 or faxed to [phone].

The commission’s order and other documents related to this case are available on the
commission’s Website. Click on “Open Cases” under the “Electric” heading and scroll down to
the case number above.

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