20171025Comment.pdf

Diane Holt
From:[e-mail]
Sent:Wednesday,October 25,2017 11:14 AM
To:BeverlyBarker Diane Holt;Matthew Evans
Subject:Case Comment Form:James Pound
Name:James Pound
Case Number:AVU-E-17-01
Email:[e-mail]
Telephone:[phone]
Address:127Greenwood Ave.
Sagle ID,83806-9267
Name of Utility Company:Avista
Comment:James Pound 127 Greenwood Ave.Sagle,ID 83860-9267
[e-mail]
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION )OF AVISTA
CORPORATION FOR THE )AUTHORITY TO INCREASE ITS RATES )
AND CHARGES FOR ELECTRIC AND )CASE NO.AVU-E-17-01
NATURAL GAS SERVICE IN CLAENDAR )YEARS 2018 AND 2019TO ELECTRIC
)DIRECT TESTIMONY AND NATURAL GAS )
CUSTOMERS IN THE STATE OF IDAHO )
ELECTRICITY ONLY
CASE NO.AVU-E-17-01
On the evening of August 17,2017 I traveled to and attended what I anticipated would be an opportunityfor the public
to address the IPUC regarding the referenced case.I was informed that verbal public comment is not accepted and that I
could attach (no stapler available)my comments to a form for inclusion.I have received updates on the status but wish
to assure than my comments have been included.
Since Name November of 2016 I have been a customer of Avista Corporation for the purposes of providing electricity
and the above referenced address.
The request for a rate increase is unacceptable and like any rate increase that far exceeds the rate of inflation,should be
denied.
Before the commission are actually three separate requests.
The first is the three percent increase based on people tiring of excessive electric rate and working harder to conserve.
Avista is required to devote advertising and information campaigns to this effort.Apparently,the annual increasesthat
Avista continues to ask for combined with successful campaigns have resulted in a reduction of usage.Avista is now
asking for a per kilowatt rate increase to offset the reduction in usage.
Now to reference the primary issue before the Commission:
Avista Corporation is seeking a 7.5 percent increase in Jan 2018 followed by a 3.7 percent increase in 2019.The 2019
request will actually represent a 3.9775 percent as it will be based on the 2018 proposed rate.Essentially,the two year
proposal will represent approximately 11.5 percent for Idaho Consumers.I should point out the national inflation rate is
1.7 percent The intent of the rate increase is in part to show an international company that they have a good working
relationship with their regulators and purchasing the company will be a good investment.I do not believe the IPUC
wants to paint the picture for Avista or any other regulated business.The commission is not in charge of promoting good
deals for sales.
There is also a concern regarding the current rate structure and how it is applied to customers.This structure will not
change unless toe Commission addresses it.For my purposes lets call it a "Threshold."(emphasis added)The average
American Household uses 901 kilowatts a month.Idahoans average is a little higher according to the U.S.Energy
InformationAssociation using an average of 957 kilowatts per month.
Currently,Avista uses an unrealistic rate Threshold of 600 KW.Upon passing the Threshold the per kilowatt price
increasesfrom .082526 to .09511.I guess I'm old fashion because when I go shopping and I by a larger quantity I pay less
per item.Shouldn't that also apply to purchasing electricity?The points entered in this document need to be address
prior to any changesin electric rates by Avista Corporation for Idaho residents.
Hard copy will be mailed on October 25,2017
Unique Identifier:107.77.97.119