20200825Notice_of_Application_Order_No_34761.pdf

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34761 1
Office of the Secretary
Service Date
August 25, 2020

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF AVISTA
CORPORATION’S ANNUAL APPLICATION
TO ADJUST RESIDENTIAL AND SMALL
FARM ENERGY RATES
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CASE NO. AVU-E-20-08

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

NOTICE OF
MODIFIED PROCEDURE

ORDER NO. 34761

On July 31, 2020, Avista Corporation dba Avista Utilities (“Avista” or “Company”)
applied to the Commission for authority to implement a 0.336 cents per kilowatt-hour (“kWh”)
Residential and Small Farm Energy Rate Adjustment credit for rate schedules 1, 12, 22, 32, and
48. Application at 1. Avista states this proposed rate credit would increase qualifying customers’
rates by $0.6 million, with the average monthly bill for a residential customer increasing from
$86.27 to $86.73. Id. Avista requests that the Application be processed under Modified Procedure,
and that the proposed rates take effect October 1, 2020. 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 Adjustment credit results from the
Company’s agreement with 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, including Avista, to benefit from the
federal Columbia River power system through a credit to their rates. Id. The rate credit reflects
Idaho’s share of BPA benefits through the Residential Exchange Program, as offset by any over-
refunded balance from the prior year. Id. at 3.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the current Residential and Small Farm Energy
Adjustment Rate credit is 0.387 cents per kWh and was designed to pass about $4.8 million in

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34761 2
BPA benefits to customers through a credit to their energy rates. Id. The proposed credit of 0.336
cents per kWh would pass about $4.2 million to customers. Id.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that customers who receive this year’s proposed
credit would see their energy rates increase by about $0.6 million, or 0.3%. Id. The rate increase
reflects that this year’s $4.2 million credit is about $0.6 million less than last year’s $4.8 million
credit. Id. In other words, this year’s rate increase would reflect that the Company over-refunded
about $0.6 million to customers through last year’s credit. 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 Company’s Application and proposed tariff
sheets are available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission’s office.
The Application is also available on the Commission’s web site at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on
the “ELECTRIC” tab in the left-hand column of the home page, then select “Open Cases” and then
locate 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. 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
under 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 it will review the case through written
submissions under the Commission’s Rules of Modified Procedure Rules 201 through 204 of the
Idaho Public Utilities Commission’s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204. The
Commission notes that Modified Procedure and written comments have proven to be an effective
means for obtaining public input and participation.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34761 3
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons desiring to state a position on this
Application may file a written comment explaining why they support or oppose the Application.
Persons who would like a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written comments.
Persons must file comments within 21 days from the service date on this Order. Comments
must be filed by e-mail unless e-mail is unavailable. To comment by e-mail, please access the
Commission’s home page at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click the “Consumers” tab and then “Case
Comment Form” and complete the form using the case number as it appears on the front of this
document. Comments filed by e-mail must also be e-mailed to the Company at the e-mail addresses
listed below. If e-mail is unavailable, then comments may be mailed to the Commission and
Company at these addresses:
For the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission:

Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074

For Avista Corporation:

David J. Meyer, Esq. (MSC-10)
Patrick Ehrbar (MSC-27)
P.O. Box 3727
1411 E. Mission Ave
Spokane, WA 99220-3727
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company must file any reply comments
within 28 days from the service date on this Order.
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.
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this case be processed by Modified Procedure.
Interested persons must file written comments within 21 days from the service date on this Order.
The Company must file any reply within 28 days from the service date on this Order.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that parties continue to comply with Order No. 34602,
issued March 17, 2020. All pleadings should be filed with the Commission electronically and shall
be deemed timely filed when received by the Commission Secretary. See Rule 14.02. Service

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34761 4
between parties should also be accomplished electronically. Voluminous discovery-related
documents may be filed and served on CD-ROM or a USB flash drive.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 25th
day of August 2020.

PAUL KJELLANDER, PRESIDENT

KRISTINE RAPER, COMMISSIONER

ERIC ANDERSON, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secretary

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