20171122Comment.pdf

November L5,2OL7
To: WUTC and IPUC (SupplementalComments)
From: TAC member: David G. Van Hersett, ProfessionalEngineer Ret. Avista TAC
beginning, WWP/Avista residential customer since 1967 (50 years).
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Reference: Customer Comments for Avista's 2017 Electric IRP for WUTC and IPUC's consideration
IDAHO COMMISSION Docket N. AVU-E-17-08 WASHINGTON DOCKET NO. UE-161036
Thank you WUTC Commissioners for coming to Spokane to hear our comments on the IRP for Avista. I
was embarrassed as the majority of the persons giving comments were not Avista customers. This is
the reason for my supplemental comments. They were environmental groups that want Avista to not use
coal fired generation. These persons do not have to live with the consequences of thelr
recommendations, I do. Therefore, the Commissioners should disregard their comments.
I have participated as a TAC member for the IRP since its inception. Avista has always presented a very
good analysis of the technical and regulatory options and constraints to produce a 20-year plan for low
cost and reliable generation resources for its customers.
99% of Avista Customers want low cost and reliable power resources. Only L% of Avista customers
chose to participate in Wind and Solar projects. Conclusion, the great majority of customers want low
cost and reliable power resources.
ENCOURAGE CUSTOMER BASED GENERATION to take advantage of the following major benefits, (1)
same load profile as customer, (2) no transmission penalty, and (3) generation revenue makes a stronger
long term customer. A WIN FOR Att PARTIES.
We have two customer based renewable energy sources in the Avista service area. (1) WOOD WASTE
from the operations of the forest products industry and {2} REFUSE from the population in our area.
There are already proven generation resources using these two renewable resources in our area, sawmill
cogeneration such as Vaagan Brothers (5 MW) in Colville, WA and the Spokane Waste-to-Energy plant (25
MW) at the Spokane lnternational Airport. Thus we have a time proven energy resource.
The population refuse produced in the Spokane-Cou/D Alene area will support another 25 MW of
generation. On the average you get one ton of refuse per person per year. 10,000 tons produces 1 MW
of energy. Thus from 500,000-person population we have another 25 MW renewable energry resource
right here in the Spokane area. The Energy cogeneration potentialfrom Avista customers is another 50
to 100 MW. This could be captured by a long term program encouraging customers to install cogeneration
over the next 20 years. Note that Avista is looking at 50 MW of Peaking Cogeneration from its customers
existing emergency generation currently installed in their facilities. Thus, customer generation is
considered a viable long-term energy and peaking resource.