20190906Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER RAPER
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
FROM:JOHN R. HAMMOND JR.
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE: SEPTEMBER 6,2019
SUBJECT: AVISTA GENERAL RATE CASE SCHEDULING _ ELECTRIC; CASE
NO. AVU-E-I9-04.
This matter comes before the Commission to set the schedule for processing Avista
Corporation's ("Avista" or the "Company") general rate case to completion. All parties have
agreed upon the proposed schedule set forth below.
INTRODUCTION
On June 10, 2019, Avista applied to increase its base rates for electric service it
provides to customers in Idaho.l Specifically, Avista seeks to increase its electric base revenues
by $5.3 million dollars (2.1%). Application at 1. The Company states the proposed rate increase
also reflects the present Permanent Federal Income Tax Rate Credit under electric tariff Schedule
72 being consolidated into its base rutes. Id. Avista requests that the proposed rate increase for
electric service in Idaho take effect on January 1,2020. Id.
On July l, 2019, the Commission issued a Notice of Application and Notice of
Intervention Deadline and suspended the proposed effective date for any changes in the
Company's rates. Order No. 34368. The ldaho Forest Group LLC, Clearwater Paper Corporation,
Idaho Conservation League, Walmart Inc. and the Community Action Partnership Association of
Idaho intervened as parties. See Order Nos. 34369 ,34374 & 34394.
1 The instant Application requests an increase in rates and charges for electric service only. Previously, the
Company filed a Notice of Intent to File a Combined Electric and Natural Gas General Rate Case on March 25,
2019.
IDECISION MEMORANDUM
PROPOSED RATE CASE SCHEDULE
Based on the parties' Agreement, Staff proposes the following schedule:
Settlement Conference October 1,2019
Staff/Intervenor Prefile Direct November 5,2019
Testimony
Company Prefile Rebuttal Testimony November 26,2019
Technical Evidentiary Hearing December 17-18,2019
The parties believe this schedule will enable the Commission to issue its final Order by December
30,2019, before the proposed effective date of January I ,2020.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Commission issue an Order that adopts the schedule above
and sets a technical hearing for December 17-18,2019. Staff also recommends the Commission
direct Staff to conduct one or more public informational workshops within the Company's service
territory. Lastly, Staff recommends the Commission notify customers that the Commission will
schedule one or more public hearings for customers at a later date.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to issue an Order that adopts the agreed-upon schedule and
sets a technical hearing on the dates set forth above, directs Staff to schedule one or more public
workshops, and notifies customers that one or more public hearings will be scheduled at a later
date?
Hammond Jr.
Attorney General
I \Legal\ELECTRIC\AVU-E- I 9-04\memos\AVUE I 904_Schedule jh2.docx
2DECISION MEMORANDUM