20170816notice_of_application_order_no_33840.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
August 16,2017
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE RESIDENTIAL )
AND SMALL FARM ANNUAL RATE )CASE NO.AVU-E-17-05
ADJUSTMENT FILING OF AVISTA )
CORPORATION )NOTICE OF APPLICATION
)
)NOTICE OF
)MOI)IFIED PROCEDURE
)
_________________-______
)ORDER NO.33840
On August 1,2017,Avista Corporation dba Avista Utilities applied to the
Commission for authorization to implement a Residential and Small Farm Energy credit rate,for
rate schedules 1,12,22,32,and 48,of 0.078 cents per kilowatt-hour.Application at 1.The
Company requests that the Application be processed under Modified Procedure,with an
effective date of October 1,2017.Id.at 2.The Commission now issues this Notice of
Application and Notice of Modified Procedure setting a comment deadline.
BACKGROUND
The Residential and Small Farm Energy credit rate results from an agreement
between the Company and the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)regarding the
Residential Exchange Program.Id.The Residential Exchange Program provides a share of the
benefits of the federal Columbia River power system to the residential and small-farm customers
the six investor-owned utilities of the Pacific Northwest,including Avista.Id.at 2-3.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIFI)that the current Residential and Small Farm credit
rate is 0.060 cents per kilowatt-hour.id.at 3.The current amount of BPA benefits passed
through to Avist&s Idaho customers is about $0.4 million.Id.at 3-4 and n.1.The current credit
rate includes the BPA benefit of $0.4 million and an additional credit adjustment of about $0.33
million to return to customers an under-refunded balance,for a total credit of about $0.73
million.Id.The additional credit adjustment of about $0.33 million is projected to be fully
refunded to customers by October 1,2017.Id.at 3-4.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.33840
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the proposed credit rate is 0.078 cents per
kilowatt-hour.Id.at 3.The proposed credit rate represents an increase of about $0.5 million in
BPA benefits,to approximately $0.94 million in BPA benefits.Id.Because the additional credit
adjustment of $0.33 million in the current rate will be fully refunded by October 1.2017,and
will no longer apply,the total proposed credit amount is about $0.94 million.Id.at 3-4.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the overall increase in the credit amount
(which results in a rate decrease to qualifying customers)under the proposed rate,compared to
the current rate,is $0.2 million or 0.2%.Id.at 4.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company explains that the change in the
credit rate does not affect its net income.Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company’s Application provides the
calculation of the Residential and Small Farm Energy credit rate in Attachment A.The
Company also provides a copy of the proposed tariff,Schedule 59,which contains the credit rate,
in Exhibit A to its Application.Exhibit A also shows the changes to Schedule 59 in legislative
format.The Company requests an effective date of October 1,2017.Id.at 2.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company indicates that it will bring the
Application to the attention of its customers via a news release and a customer notice explaining
each of several rate filings.Id.at 5.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application and supporting
documentation have been filed with the Commission and are available for public inspection
during regular business hours at the Commission offices.These documents are also available on
the Commission’s web site at w\uc.idalogç.Click on the “File Room”tab at the top of
the page,then select “Electric Cases”and click on the case number as shown on the front of this
document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held
pursuant to the Commission’s jurisdiction under Title 61 of the Idaho Code and specifically
Idaho Code §61-502 and 61-503.The Commission may enter any final Order consistent with
its authority under Title 61.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be
conducted pursuant to the Commission’s Rules of Procedure,IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.33840 2
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined that the
public interest may not require a formal hearing in this matter,and that it will proceed under
Modified Procedure pursuant to Rules 201 through 204 of the Commission’s Rules of Procedure,
IDAPA 31.01.01.201 through .204.The Commission notes that Modified Procedure and written
comments have proven to be an effective means for obtaining public input and participation.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that any person desiring to state a position on this
Application may file a written comment in support or opposition with the Commission no later
than September 20,2017.The comment must contain a statement of reasons supporting the
comment.Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written
comments.Written comments concerning this Application shall be mailed to the Commission
and the Company at the addresses reflected below:
Commission Secretary David J.Meyer,Vice President and Chief
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Counsel for Regulatory and Government
P0 Box 83720 Affairs
Boise,ID 83 720-0074 Avista Corporation
P.O.Box 3727
Street Address for Express Mail:MSC-27
1411 E.Mission Ave.
472 W.Washington Street Spokane,WA 99220-3 727
Boise,ID 83702-5918 E-mail:David.MeyeravstaqQr,cpp,
Patrick Ehrbar,Senior Manager —State and
Federal Regulation
Avista Utilities
P.O.Box 3727
MSC-27
1411 E.Mission Ave.
Spokane,WA 99220-3 727
E-mail:
Electronically filed documents:
E-mail:
These comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this
document.Persons desiring to submit comments via e-mail may do so by accessing the
Commission’s home page located at Click the “Case Comment or Question
Form”under the “Consumers”tab,and complete the comment form using the case number as it
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.33840 3
appears on the front of this document.These comments must also be sent to Avista at the e-mail
addresses listed above.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are
received within the time limit set,the Commission will consider this matter on its merits and
enter its Order without a formal hearing.If written comments are received within the time limit
set,the Commission will consider them and,in its discretion,may set the same for formal
hearing.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Application of Avista Utilities be processed by
Modified Procedure,Rule 201-204 (IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204).Persons interested in
submitting written comments must do so no later September 20,2017.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this /
day of August 2017.
PAUL KJELLANDER,PRESIDENT
K TINE RAPER,C MMISSIONER
ERIC ANDERSON,COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
Diane M.Hanian
Commission Secretary
O:AVU-E-17-05_cc
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.33840 4