HomeMy WebLinkAbout20190820notice_of_application_order_no_34417.pdfOffice of the Secretary
Service Date
August 20,2019
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE POWER COST )CASE NO.AVU-E-19-09
ADJUSTMENT (PCA)ANNUAL RATE )ADJUSTMENT FILING OF AVISTA )NOTICE OF APPLICATION
CORPORATION )
)NOTICE OF
)MODIFIED PROCEDURE
)ORDER NO.34417
On July 30,2019,Avista Corporation dba Avista Utilities ("Avista"or the "Company")
filed its annual Power Cost Adjustment("PCA")Application.The PCA is an annual adjustment
mechanism that "tracks changes in revenues and costs associated with variations in hydroelectric
generation,secondary prices,thermal fuel costs,and changes in power contract revenues and
expenses"for the period of July 1,2018 throughJune 30,2019.Applicationat 1-2.
This year,the Company proposes decreasing its PCA rebate rate to 0.058¢per kilowatt
hour ("kWh")for all customers.The lower PCA rebate rate would increase the average residential
customer's monthlybill by $2.40 per month.Id.at 5.The Company requests that its Application
be processed under Modified Procedure,and that the proposed rates take effect October 1,2019.
Id.at 1.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Company reports lower power supply expenses
than are included in retail rates due to lower wholesale electric and natural gas prices,lower fuel
expenses for Colstrip and Kettle Falls generation and fuel expenses and lower transmission
expenses.Prefiled Direct Testimony of William G.Johnson at 7.Avista states these lower power
supply,generation,fuel and transmission expenses are partially offset by increased hydro
generation expenses,a power purchase agreement the Company has with Palouse Wind Project,
changes in retail load and other miscellaneous expenses.Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the net impact of these items is a total deferral of
$1,505,903.00,includinginterest,for the period of July 1,2018 throughJune 30,2019.Prefiled
Direct Testimony of Annette M.Brandon at 4.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34417 1
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that last year the Company's PCA application resulted
in a rebate to customers of 0.326¢per kWh.Application at 3.In this Application,the Company
proposes that the PCA rebate for all customers decrease to 0.058¢per kWh.Id.Avista states the
decreased rebate rate,if approved by the Commission,would increase the Company's revenue by
3.3%.Id.at 3,5.The Company asserts that because the PCA rate changes are spread on a uniform
cents-per-kilowatt-hour basis,the resulting percentage increases will vary by customer rate
schedule.Id.at 5.
YOUR ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that residential customers using an average of 898
kWh per month would see their monthlybill increase by 2.91%,from $82.57 to $84.97.Id at 3,
5.
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 will proceed under Modified Procedure
pursuant to Rules 201 through204 of the Idaho Public Utilities 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 11,2019.The written comment must contain a statement of reasons supporting
it.Persons desiring a hearing must 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:
Commission Secretary David J.Meyer,Esq.
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Vice President and Chief Counsel
PO Box 83720 Regulatory and Governmental 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:
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34417 2
Patrick D.Ehrbar
Director of Regulatory Affairs
Avista Utilities
P.O.Box 3727
MSC-27
1411 E.Mission Ave.
Spokane,WA 99220-3727
E-mail:Patrick.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 wivw.gue.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 the Company at the
e-mail addresses listed above.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company may file reply comments,if
necessary,no later than September 18,2019.
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 the Application and supporting workpapers,
testimonies and exhibits have been filed with the Commission and are available for public
inspection during regular business hours at the Commission offices.The Application and
testimonies are also available on the Commission's web site at www.puc.idaho.gov.Click on the
"File Room"tab at the top of the page,scroll down to "Open Electric Cases,"and then 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 §§
61-307,61-503,and 61-622.The Commission may enter any fmal Order consistent with its
authorityunder 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.34417 3
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this case be processed under Modified Procedure (IDAPA
31.01.01.201 through .204).Interested persons wishing to file comments or protests in this matter
must do so no later than September 11,2019.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Company may file replycomments,if necessary,no
later than September 18,2019.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this ao
day of August 2019.
PAUL KJ LAND ,PRESIDENT
KRISTINE RAPER,COMMISSIONER
ERI ,ANDER ,MI R
Diane M.Hanian
Commission Secretary
AVUE1909_nteofappjrh
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34417 4