20180815notice_of_application_order_no_34127.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
August 15,2018
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE RESIDENTIAL )CASE NO.AVU-E-18-08
AND SMALL FARM ANNUAL RATE )ADJUSTMENT FILING OF AVISTA )NOTICE OF APPLICATION
CORPORATION )
)NOTICE OF
)MODIFIED PROCEDURE
)ORDER NO.34127
On July 31,2018,Avista Corporation dba Avista Utilities applied to the Commission
for authorization to implement a Residential and Small Farm Energy rate credit,for rate
schedules 1,12,22,32,and 48,of 0.069 cents per kilowatt-hour.Application at 1.Avista states
that this rate represents an increase of $0.1 million to qualifying customers and requests an
effective date of October 1,2018.Id at 1-2.Avista requests that the Application be processed
under Modified Procedure.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
of the six investor-owned utilities of the Pacific Northwest,includingAvista.Id.at 2-3.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the current Residential and Small Farm credit
rate is 0.078 cents per kilowatt-hour.Id at 3.The proposed credit rate of 0.069 cents per
kilowatt-hour is designed to pass through approximately $0.84 million which is the Idaho portion
of BPA benefits,offset by the over-refunded balance from the prior year,starting in October
2018.Id.While the level of BPA benefits is consistent with what is currentlybeing passed back
to customers today,the offset by the over-refunded balance results in the reduced credit.Id at 3.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34127 1
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the overall increase to qualifying customers
unsier the proposed rate credit is $0.1 million,or 0.1%.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 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 er a a 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 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 21 days after the service date of the Order.The comment must contain a statement of
reasons supporting the comment.Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34127 2
in their written comments.Written comrnents 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
PO Box 83720 Affairs
Boise,ID 83720-0074 Avista Corporation
P.O.Box 3727
Street Address for Express Mail:MSC-27
1411 E.Mission Ave.
472 W.Washington Street Spokane,WA 99220-3727
Boise,ID 83702-5918 E-mail:David,Mever avistacorp.com
Patrick Ehrbar,Director of Regulatory Affairs
Avista Utilities
P.O.Box 3727
MSC-27
1411 E.Mission Ave.
Spokane,WA 99220-3727
E-mail:Pat.Ehrbar avistacorp.com
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 www.puc.idaho.gov.Click the "Case Comment or Question
Form"under the "Consumers"tab,and complete the comment form using the case number as it
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.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34127 3
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 than 21 days after the service date of the Order.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this /5
day of August 2018.
PAUL KJELLAÀI ,PRESIDENT
KRISTINE RAP C MISSIONER
IC ANDERSON,COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
Diane M.Hanian
Commission Secretary
AVUE1808 ntc app mod elp
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34127 4