20171129Comment.pdf

Diane Holt
From:[e-mail]
Sent:Wednesday,November 29,2017 2:05 PM
To:BeverlyBarker;Diane Holt;Matthew Evans
Subject:Case Comment Form:Emily Cleveland
Name:Emily Cleveland
Case Number:AVU-E-17-08.
Email:[e-mail]
Telephone:
Address:1215 Superior St
Sandpoint ID,83864
Name of Utility Company:Avista
Comment:Greetings,
I am a customer of Avista and I attended several of Avista's Technical Advisory Committee meetings during the
development of the proposed IRP.I was disappointed by the lack of transparency in how Avista develops its scenarios.I
understand they are developed by inputting information in modeling systems but there is no way to know what inputs
Avista is using for the scenarios.Because Avista is so far off base from other utilities when it comes to forecasting the
end of useful life for Colstrip,that lack of transparency concerns me.
I am also concerned that the IRP does not consider significant costs such as environmental cleanup and community
transition in the scenario analyses.Initial estimates for these costs should be included when calculating the cost of
Colstrip.It is especially important because data from the Montana DEQ shows that water contamination will continue to
spread the longer units 3 and 4 are in operation,which means cleanup costs will increasethe longer the plant is in
operation.Those costs will fall on ratepayers.
In addition the economics of coal are changing rapidly and coal plants are being shuttered across the country as other
sources of energy become cheaper.Puget Sound Energy,the largest owner of Colstrip units 3 and 4 has accelerated it's
debt schedule to 2027.For Avista not to do the same is irresponsible.Either they are planning on taking on a larger
share of the expensive maintenance and cleanup costs when PSE pulls out,they are expecting that future ratepayers will
have to continue paying for Colstrip long after the plant has closed it's doors,or they are deluding themselves in
believing that other owners cannot legally end their ownership.Avista needs to consider the concerns of its ratepayers
and align their financial plans with PSE,the largest owner of Colstrip.
Thank you for considering my concerns.
Sincerely,
Emily Cleveland
Unique Identifier:172.76.101.182
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