20220811Notice_of_Application_Order_No_35496.pdf

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35496 1

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
August 11, 2022
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

On July 29, 2022, Avista Corporation (“Company”), filed its annual Power Cost
Adjustment (“PCA”) Application. The PCA is an annual adjustment mechanism that tracks
changes in the Company’s “hydroelectric generation, secondary prices, thermal fuel costs, and
changes in power contract revenues and expenses.” Application at 2. The Company represents that
if its Application is approved, residential customers using an average of 892 kilowatt hours
(“kWh”) per month would see their monthly bills decrease from $86.29 to $85.39, a decrease of
$0.90 per month, or 1%. The Company requests that this matter be processed by modified
procedure, and that the proposed rates take effect on October 1, 2022.
The Commission now issues this Notice of Application and Notice of Modified Procedure
establishing deadlines for interested parties to comment, and the Company’s reply.
BACKGROUND
The present surcharge was effective October 1, 2021, and was primarily associated with
power supply costs that were higher than those included in retail rates, due to higher wholesale
electric and natural gas prices. Case No. AVU-E-21-09, Order No. 35184. The surcharge rate ends
on September 30, 2022. Id.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Company requests the Commission approve of
a PCA surcharge rate of 0.150¢ per kWh to be effective from October 1, 2022 to September 30,
2023. The Company notes that the proposed PCA surcharge would represent a decrease from the
0.251¢ per kWh currently being collected as approved in Order No. 35184. If approved, the new
PCA surcharge would represent an overall decrease in revenue of $3.1 million or 1.2% in Company
revenues when accounting for the expiration of the existing surcharge.
IN THE MATTER OF AVISTA
CORPORATION’S ANNUAL POWER COST
ADJUSTMENT (PCA) APPLICATION
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CASE NO. AVU-E-22-11

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

NOTICE OF MODIFIED
PROCEDURE

ORDER NO. 35496
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35496 2

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company provided written testimony
explaining the factors contributing to the power cost deferrals included in its proposed PCA
adjustment. The Company also represents that it has filed monthly reports with its actual PCA
deferrals entries to date, and provided updated tariffs in Exhibit A.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application and Exhibits are available for
public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission’s office. These documents are
also available on the Commission’s website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on the “ELECTRIC”
tab, 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
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 it will review the case through written
submissions under the Commission’s Rules of Modified Procedure Rules 201-204 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.
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 shall have until September 7, 2022, to file written comments. Comments must be filed
through the Commission’s website or by e-mail unless computer access is unavailable. To
comment electronically, please access the Commission’s website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click the
“Case Comment Form” and complete the form using the case number as it appears on the front of
this document. To file by e-mail, the customer must e-mail the comments to the Commission
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35496 3

Secretary and the Company at the e-mail addresses listed below. If computer access 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
[e-mail]

Street Address for Express Mail:

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

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

[e-mail]

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company must file any reply comments by
September 14, 2022.
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 the Company’s Application will be processed by
Modified Procedure, Rules 201-204 (IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204). Persons interested in submitting
written comments must do so by September 7, 2022. The Company must file any reply comments
by September 14, 2022.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that parties comply with Order No. 35375, issued April 21,
2022. Generally, all pleadings should be filed with the Commission electronically and will be
deemed timely filed when received by the Commission Secretary. See Rule 14.02. Service between
parties should continue to be accomplished electronically when possible. However, voluminous
discovery-related documents may be filed and served on CD-ROM or a USB flash drive.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35496 4

DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 11th day of
August 2022.

ERIC ANDERSON, PRESIDENT

JOHN CHATBURN, COMMISSIONER

JOHN R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secretary

I:\Legal\ELECTRIC\AVU-E-22-11 PCA\orders\AVUE2211_NtcApp_Mod_cs.docx