20190823notice_of_application_order_no_34422.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
August 23,2019
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE RESIDENTIAL )CASE NO.AVU-E-19-08
AND SMALL FARM ANNUAL RATE )
ADJUSTMENT FILING OF AVISTA )NOTICE OF APPLICATION
CORPORATION )
)NOTICE OF
)MODIFIED PROCEDURE
)ORDER NO.34422
On August 1,2019,Avista Corporation dba Avista Utilities ("Avista"or "Company")
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 0.387 cents per kilowatt-hour ("kWh").
Application at 1.Avista states this rate credit would decrease qualifyingcustomers'rates by $3.9
million,with the average monthlybill for a residential customer decreasing from $82.57to $79.71.
Id.Avista requests that the Application be processed under Modified Procedure,and that the
proposed rates take effect October 1,2019.Id.at 2,5.
The Commission now issues this Notice of Application and Notice of Modified
Procedure setting comment and reply deadlines.
BACKGROUND
The Residential and Small Farm Energy rate credit results from an agreement between
the Company and the Bonneville Power Administration ("BPA")regarding the Residential
Exchange Program.Id.at 2.The Residential Exchange Program allows residential and small-farm
customers of six Pacific Northwest Utilities,includingAvista,to benefit from the federal Columbia
River power system.Id
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the current Residential and Small Farm Energy
rate credit is 0.069 cents per kWh,and was designed to pass through about $0.84 million to
customers.Id at 3.The proposed rate credit of 0.387 cents per kWh would pass through about
$4.8 million to customers.The rate credit reflects Idaho share of BPA benefits,as offset by any
over-refunded balance from the prior year.Id
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34422 1
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the $4.8 million in BPA benefits would
decrease rates for qualifying customers by about $3.9 million,or 1.6%.Id.at 3.This overall rate
decrease reflects the difference between this year's $4.8 million proposed rate credit and last year's
$0.84 million rate credit.Id.Additionallythe proposed rate credit is offset by last year's over-
refunded balance of about $0.1 million.Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company explains the proposed rate credit
would not affect its net income.Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company indicates it will notify customers
about the Application via a news release and a customer notice billing-insert explaining the rate
credit.Id.at 4.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application,Exhibit A,and supporting
documentationhave been filed with the Commission and are available for public inspection during
regular business hours at the Commission's office.These documents are also available on the
Commission's web site at .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.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has determinedthat 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 September 10,2019.The comment must contain a statement of reasons supporting the
comment.Persons desiring a hearingmust specifically request a hearing in their written comments.
Written comments concerning this Application shall be mailed to the Commission and the
Company at the addresses reflected below:
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34422 2
Commission Secretary David J.Meyer
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Avista Corporation
PO Box 83720 P.O.Box 3727
Boise,ID 83720-0074 MSC-27
1411 E.Mission Ave.
Street Address for Express Mail:Spokane,WA 99220-3727
E-mail:un
472 W.Washington Street
Boise,ID 83702-5918 Patrick Ehrbar
Avista Utilities
P.O.Box 3727
MSC-27
1411 E.Mission Ave.
Spokane,WA 99220-3727
E-mail:i pt
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 .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 Avista may file reply comments,if necessary,
no later than September 17,2019.
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.
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 APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34422 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).Parties and persons shall have
until September 10,2019 to file written comments,and the Company shall have until September
17,2019 to file replycomments,if necessary.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this ZZ
day of August 2019.
PAUL KJELÈAN'DEl PRESIDENT
K MMISSIONER
ERIC ANDERSON,COMMISSIONER
Diane M.Hanian
Commission Secretary
AVUEl908_nte app/mod-dh
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34422 4