20170127Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO: COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER RAPER
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
FROM: CAMILLE CHRISTEN
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE: JANUARY 26, 2017
SUBJECT: THE APPLICATION OF A VISTA CORPORATION FOR A FINDING OF
PRUDENCE FOR 2014-2015 EXPENDITURES ASSOCIATED WITH
PROVIDING ELECTRIC ENERGY EFFICIENCY SERVICE IN THE
STATE OF IDAHO, CASE NO. AVU-E-16-06
On September 14, 2016, Avista Corporation dba Avista Utilities filed an Application
requesting the Commission to issue an Order finding that the Company prudently incurred
$9,999,742 in electric energy efficiency expenses in Idaho from January 1, 2014 through
December 31, 2015. The Application describes the Company's energy efficiency activities and
their cost-effectiveness. The Application includes an evaluation of the Company's electric
energy efficiency program, performed by a third-party contractor, Nexant, and supporting
testimony.
The Commission issued a notice of the Application which set a deadline for
interventions. Order No. 33617. The Commission received and granted Petitions to Intervene
from the Community Action Partnership Association of Idaho (CAPAI) and the Idaho
Conservation League. Order No. 33636.
The parties conferred and agreed upon a comment schedule which Staff proposed to
the Commission. The Commission issued a Notice of Modified Procedure adopting the agreed­
upon deadline for comments of January 31, 2017, and deadline for reply comments of February
21, 2017. Order No. 33644.
On January 6, 2017, Commission Staff filed a Motion to suspend the comment
schedule, explaining that the parties needed additional time to resolve questions about potential
data discrepancies in the Application and supporting analysis. The Motion indicated that the
DECISION MEMORANDUM
parties agreed with Staffs proposal (1) to suspend the schedule and (2) that Staff update the
Commission regarding the timeline for resolving the questions by January 31, 2017. The
Commission granted the Motion, suspended the comment schedule, and directed Staff to provide
an update by January 31, 2017. Order No. 33693.
STAFF'S UPDATE
On January 26, 2017, the Company filed an amended 2014 DSM Annual Report to
replace the 2014 DSM Annual Report originally filed with the Application. The amended report
resolves the questions about data discrepancies. As a result, Staff conferred with the parties
regarding a revised comment schedule for this proceeding, and the parties agreed to a deadline
for comments of March 30, 2017, and a deadline for reply comments by the Company of April
14, 2017.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Commission issue an Order setting a new deadline for
parties' comments of March 30, 2017, and a deadline for reply comments of April 14, 2017.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to issue an Order setting a new deadline for parties'
comments of March 30, 2017, and a deadline for reply comments of April 14, 2017?
~tM---vt--
Camille Christen
Deputy Attorney General
M:AVU-E-1 6-06 cc3
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2