20211105Notice_of_Filing_Order_No_35220.pdf

NOTICE OF FILING
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35220 1
Office of the Secretary
Service Date
November 5, 2021
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF AVISTA’S ANNUAL
COMPLIANCE FILING TO UPDATE THE
LOAD AND GAS FORECASTS IN THE
INCREMENTAL COST INTEGRATED
RESOURCE PLAN AVOIDED COST
MODEL TO BE USED FOR AVOIDED
COST CALCULATIONS
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CASE NO. AVU-E-21-14

NOTICE OF FILING

NOTICE OF
MODIFIED PROCEDURE

ORDER NO. 35220

On October 13, 2021, Avista Corporation (“Company”) filed a compliance filing
requesting the Commission issue an order accepting its updated load forecast, natural gas price
forecast, and contracts used as inputs to calculate its incremental cost Integrated Resource Plan
(“IRP”) avoided cost rates. The Company must update these inputs by October 15 of each year.
See Order Nos. 32697 and 32802. IRP avoided cost rates are available to qualifying facilities
(“QFs”) that are above the resource-specific project eligibility cap for published avoided cost rates
under Idaho’s implementation of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (“PURPA”).
The Company requested its Filing be processed by Modified Procedure.
With this Order the Commission issues notice of the Company’s Filing and establishes
public comment and Company reply deadlines.
NOTICE OF FILING
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Company forecasts its average load growth
at 0.25% annual average growth rate from 2021 through 2045. Application at 2.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company states its natural gas forecast was
developed using a blend of two national forecasting consultants’ most recent forecasts, the U.S.
Energy Information Administration’s Annual Energy Outlook, and forward market prices as of
June 30, 2020. Id. at 3.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company states it has signed two new long-
term PURPA contracts and two power purchase agreements (“PPAs”) since its last update to the
IRP model. These PURPA contracts are extensions of existing contracts for Spokane County
Waste Water Digests and Stimson Lumber biomass facility. Id. at 3. The PPA’s include five

NOTICE OF FILING
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35220 2
percent of Chelan PUD’s hydro facilities and a special contract with Inland Empire Paper.1 Id. at
4.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company’s Filing is 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 www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on the “ELECTRIC” icon,
select “Open Cases,” 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.
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 persons desiring to state a position on this
Application may file a written comment explaining why the person supports or opposes the
Application. Persons who would like a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written
comments. Persons must file written comments within 21 days from the service date of 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:

1 The special contract with Inland Empire Paper runs from October 1, 2021 through October 31, 2031. Id. The costs
associated with this contract will be recovered from Washington customers only. Id.

NOTICE OF FILING
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35220 3
For the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission:

Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
[e-mail]

Street Address for Express Mail:

11331 W. Chinden Blvd.
Building 8, Suite 201-A
Boise, ID 83714
For Avista Corporation:

Michael Andrea (MSC-13)
Shawn Bonfield (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, Rules
201-204 (IDAPA 31.01.01.201 - .204). Persons must file any written comments within 21 days
from the service date on this Order. The Company must file any reply comments within 28 days
from the service date on this Order.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that parties should continue to comply with Order No.
35058, issued June 3, 2021. 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
between parties should also be accomplished electronically. Voluminous discovery-related
documents may be filed and served on CD-ROM or a USB flash drive.

NOTICE OF FILING
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35220 4
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 5th day
of November 2021.

PAUL KJELLANDER, PRESIDENT

KRISTINE RAPER, COMMISSIONER

ERIC ANDERSON, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secretary

I:\Legal\ELECTRIC\AVU-E-21-14\orders\AVUE2114_Ntc Filing_Mod_dh.docx