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Home My WebLink About20190215Motion for Approval of Stipulation and Settlement.pdfAvista Corp. 1411 East Mission P.O.Box3727 Spokane. Washington 99220-0500 Telephone 509-489-0500 TollFree 8OO-727-9170 Ahnsrfr :ilii f[B l5 EFI 9: l0 Gorp. February 14,2019 Diane Hanian, Secretary Idaho Public Utilities Commission 472 W. Washington St. Boise,ID 83702 RE: Motion for Approval of Stipulation and Settlement & Stipulation and Settlement in AVU-E-18-03 and AVU-G-18-02 Enclosed for filing with the Commission are an original and seven copies of a Motion for Approval of Stipulation and Settlement and the Stipulation and Settlement by Avista Corporation, dba Avista Utilities (Avista), dated February 14,2019. If you have any questions regarding the proposed filing, please contact Karen Schuh at (509) 495-2293. Sincerely, / J. Meyer Vice President and Chief Counsel for Regulatory & Governmental Affairs Enclosures RECiIV=D CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that I have this 14nd day of February,2019, served the foregoing Motion to approve Stipulation and Settlement and the Stipulation and Settlement in Docket No. AVU-E-18-03 and AVU-G-18-02, upon the following parties, by mailing a copy thereof, properly addressed with postage prepaid to: Diane Hanian, Secretary ldaho Public Utilities Commission Statehouse Boise, lD 83720-5983 diane. hanian@puc. idaho.qov Brandon Karpen Deputy Attorneys General ldaho Public Utilities Commission 472W. Washington Boise, lD 83702-0659 brandon. karpen@puc. idaho.qov SIERRA CLUB: Matt Gerhart Sierra Club 2101 Webster Street, Suite 1300 Oakland, CA 94612 415-977-5727 Matt. Ge rh art@s ie rracl u b. o ro Ana. bovd@sierraclub. orq D via Overnightr via E-Mail IDAHO CONSERVATION LEAGUE: Benjamin J. Otto ldaho Conservation League 710 N. 6th St. Boise, lD 83702 208-345-9633 x 12 botto@ida hoconservation. oro r via Overnightr via E-Mail CLEARWATER PAPER CORP.: Peter Richardson Richardson Adams, PLLC 515 N. 27th St Boise, lD 83702 208-938-7901 peter@richardsonadams. com r via Overnightr via E-Mail CLEARWATER PAPER CORP.: Dr. Don Reading 6070 Hill Road Boise, lD 83703 208-342-1700 dreadinq@mindsprino.com r via Overnightr via E-Mail CLEARWATER PAPER CORP,: m a rv. lewa I len @clea ruvate rpa pe r. com carol. ha ugen @clearwaterpaper. com n via Overnightr via E-Mail IDAHO FOREST GROUP: 687 Canfield Ave. Suite 100 Coeur D'Alene, lD 83815 ! via Overnight! via E-Mail IDAHO FOREST GROUP: Ronald Williams Williams Bradbury, P.C. PO Box 388 Boise, lD 83701 208-344-6633 ron@wi I liamsbradbury. com r via Overnightr via E-Mail IDAHO FOREST GROUP: Dean Miller 3620 E Warm Springs Ave Boise, lD 83716 deanmiller@cableone. net r via Overnightr via E-Mail IDAHO FOREST GROUP: Larry Crowley, Director The Energy Strategies lnstitute, lnc. 5549 S. Cliffsedge Ave. Boise, lD 83716 crowlevla@aol.com n via Overnightr via E-Mail I! Kimball Manager of Compliance & Discovery IVE D David J. Meyer, Esq. Vice President and Chief Counsel of Regulatory and Governmental Affairs Avista Corporation 1411E. Mission Avenue P.O.Box3727 Spokane, Washington 99220 Phone: (509) 495-4316, Fax: (509) 495-8851 Sean Costello Deputy Attorney General Idaho Public Utilities Commission Staff P.O. Box 83720 Boise, lD 83720-0074 Phone: (208) 334-0312,Fax: (208) 334 TN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION ) oF AVTSTA CORPORATION DBA ) AVISTA UTILITIES REQUESTING ) AUTHORITY TO REVISE ITS ELECTRIC ) AND NATURAL GAS BOOK ) DEPRECIATION RATES ) iillf[ts l5 trH g: I I -. i lrl ,.; ll.',liSStO,-,J BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION CASE NO. CASE NO. AVU-E-18-03 AVU-G-18-02 MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF STIPULATION AND SETTLEMBNT COME NOW, Avista Corporation ("Avista" or "Company"), the Commission Staff, Clearwater Paper Corporation ("Clearwater"), Idaho Forest Group, LLC ("ldaho Forest"), Sierra Club, and the Idaho Conservation League ("Conservation League") and hereby move the Commission for an Order accepting the Settlement Stipulation filed herewith. RP 56; 272;274. This Motion is based on the following: 1. On February 23,2018, Avista filed an Application requesting authority to revise its book depreciation rates. The Company requested authorization to revise its book depreciation rates consistent with the results of the depreciation study undertaken by the Company. That study showed that the Idaho share of annual depreciation expense recorded to O&M and A&G expense on the Company's books should be increased by approximately $1,275,324 for electric plant and MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF STIPULATION AND SETTLEMENT - AVU-E-18-03 andAW-G-18-02 Page I decreased by approximately $487,632 for natural gas plant, based on the average service life rates of plant-in-service as of December 31,2016. 2. Petitions to intervene in this proceeding were filed by Clearwater, Idaho Forest, Sierra Club, and the Conservation League. These entities are collectively referred to as the "Parties," and represent all ofthe parties in the above-referenced cases. 3. Representatives of all Parties appeared at Settlement Conferences held on December 11,2018, and January 22,2019, which were held for the purpose of narrowing or resolving the contested issues in this proceeding. Subsequent discussions led to a Settlement Stipulation. 4. The Parties also request that the Commission expedite its consideration to allow for a proposed effective date for the terms of the Stipulation of April 1, 2019, intended to synchronize with the proposed effective date of changes in depreciation rates in Washington and Oregon. 5. The Parties recommend that the Commission grant this Motion and approve the Stipulation in its entirety, without material change or condition, pursuant to RP 274. 6. The Parties request that these cases be reviewed under modified procedure rather than a hearing under RP 202, inasmuch as all parties are in support of this Stipulation and no evidentiary hearings are necessary to resolve disputed issues offact. 7. The Parties also move to suspend the existing procedural schedule, and substitute in its place a date of February 22, 2019, for the filing of comments by the Parties under the Modified Procedure rules of the Commission. No reply comments are envisioned. 8. As noted in the Stipulation, the Parties agree that the Stipulation is in the public interest and that all of its terms and conditions are fair, just and reasonable. MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF STIPULATION AND SETTLEMENT - AVU-E-18-03 and AVU-G-18-02 PageZ NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties respectfully request that the Commission issue an order in Case Nos. AVU-E-18-03 and AVU-G-18-02: 1. Granting this Motion and accepting the Stipulation, in its entirety, without material change or condition, doing so under Modified Procedures; and 2. Authorizing the Company to implement revised depreciation rates effective April 1,2079, consistent with the terms of the Stipulation re, ,|- DATED this / { day of February,2}l9. Avista Corporation Idaho Public Utilities Commission Staff - id J. Meyer Attorney for Avista Corporation Clearwater Paper Corporation Peter Richardson Attorney for Clearwater Paper Sierra Club Matt Gerhart Attorney for Sierra Club Ilv: Sean Costello Deputy Attorney General Idaho Forest Group Ronald L. Williams Attorney for Idaho Forest Group LLC Idaho Conservation l,eague By: Benjamin Otto Idaho Conservation League MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF STIPULATION AND SETTLEMENT - AVU-E-18-03 andAVU-G-18-02 Page3 NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties respectfully request that the Commission issue an order in Case Nos. AVU-E-|8-03 and AVU-G-I8-02: l. Granting this Motion and accepting the Stipulation, in its entirety, without material change or condition, doing so under Modified Procedures; and 2. Authorizing the Company to implement revised depreciation rates effective April l, 2019, consistent with the terms of the Stipulation DATED this _ day of February, 2019. Avista Corporation Idaho Utilities Commission Staff By: David J. Meyer Attomey for Avista Corporation Clearwater Paper Corporation Peter Richardson Attorney for Clearwater Paper Siena Club By: Matt Gerhart Attorney for Siera Club By, Costello Deputy Attomey Ceneral Idaho Forest Group Ronald L. Williams Attorney for ldaho Forest Group LLC Idaho Conservation League Benjamin Ono Idaho Conservation League By MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF STIPULATION AND SETTLEMENT - AVU-E-18-03 andAVU-G-18-02 Page 3 NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties respectfully request that the Commission issue an order in Case Nos. AVU-E-18-03 and AVU-G-18-02: l. Granting this Motion and accepting the Stipulation, in its entirety, without material change or condition, doing so under Modified Procedures; and 2. Authorizing the Company to implement revised depreciation rates effective April t,2Ol9, consistent with the terms of the Stipulation DArED ,hi" I JH "f February, 2ole. Avista Corporation David J. Meyer Attorney for Avista Corporation Peter Attomey for Clearwater Paper Idaho Public Utilities Commission Staff Idaho Forest Group By: Sierra Club Matt Gerhart Attomey for Sierra Club Ronald L. Williams Attorney for Idaho Forest Group LLC Idaho Conservation League Benjamin Otto ldaho Conservation League MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF STIPULATION AND SETTLEMENT - AVU-E-18-03 andAW-G-18-02 Page 3 Rtr. Sean costello- Deputy Attorney General NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties respectfully request that the Commission issue an order in Case Nos. AVU-E-18-03 and AVU-G-18-02: l. Granting this Motion and accepting the Stipulation, in its entirety, without material change or condition, doing so under Modified Procedures; and 2. Authorizing the Company to implement revised depreciation rates effective April 1,2019, consistent with the terms of the Stipulation DATED this _ day of February,2019 Avista Corporation Idaho Public Utilities Commission Staff By David J. Meyer Attorney for Avista Corporation C learwater Paper Corporation rBy: Peter Richardson Attorney for Clearwater Paper Sierra Club By: Matt Gerhart Attorney for Sierra Club Sean Costello Deputy Attorney General Idaho Forest Group Ak*-q J U"l*;-*- Ronald L. Williams Attorney for ldaho Forest Group LLC Idaho Conservation League Benjamin Otto Idaho Conservation League MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF STIPULATION AND SETTLEMENT - AVU-E-18-03 andAVU-G-18-02 Page 3 NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties respectfully request that the Commission issue an order in Case Nos. AVU-E-I8-03 and AVU-G-I 8-02: l. Granting this Motion and accepting the Stipulafion, in its enfirety, without material change or condition, doing so under Modified Procedures; and 2. Authorizing the Company to implement revised depreciation rates effective April 1,2019, consistent with the terms of the Stipulation DArED ,firlillry orFebrua ry,2ote. Avista Corporation David J. Meyer Attorney for Avista Corporation Clearwater Paper Corporation Peter Richardson Attomey for Clearwater Paper Idaho Public Utilities Commission Staff Sean Costello' Deputy Attomey General Idaho Forest Group RonaldL. Williams Attorney for Idaho Forest Group LLC Sierra Club Idaho League ,.r v \o-i,.d.._, Matt Gerhart \Otto Attorney for Siena Club Idaho Conservation League MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF STIPLJLATION ANID SETTLEMENT - AVU-E-18-03 and AW-c-18-02 Page 3