HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230818Notice_of_Application_Order_No_35896.pdfNOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35896 1
Office of the Secretary
Service Date
August 18, 2023
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
On July 31, 2023, Avista Corporation (“Company”), filed its annual Power Cost
Adjustment (“PCA”) Application. If approved, the average residential customer’s monthly bill
would increase by $3.23, or 3.8%. The Company requests that this matter be processed by modified
procedure effective October 1, 2023.
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
Avista’s PCA tracks revenue and cost changes associated with variations in “hydroelectric
generation, secondary prices, thermal fuel costs, and changes in power contract revenues and
expenses.” Application at 2. The present surcharge was effective October 1, 2022, and was
primarily associated with the deferral of 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-22-11,
Order No. 35543. The surcharge rate approved in Order No. 35543 ends on September 30, 2023.
Id.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Company requests the Commission approve of
a PCA surcharge rate of 0.499¢ per kilowatt-hour (“kWh”) to be effective from October 1, 2023
to September 30, 2024. The Company notes that the proposed PCA surcharge would represent an
increase from the 0.150¢ per kWh currently being collected in customers’ rates as approved in
Order No. 35543. If approved, the new PCA surcharge would represent an overall increase of $11
million or 4.3% 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-23-08
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED
PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35896
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35896 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, Testimony, 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 12, 2023, 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. 35896 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
secretary@puc.idaho.gov
Street Address for Express Mail:
11331 W. Chinden Blvd.
Building 8, Suite 201-A
Boise, ID 83714
For Avista Corporation:
David J. Meyer (MSC-10)
Patrick D. Ehrbar (MSC-27)
P.O. Box 3727
1411 E. Mission Ave.
Spokane, WA 99220-3727
david.meyer@avistacorp.com
patrick.ehrbar@avistacorp.com
dockets@avistacorp.com
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company must file any reply comments by
September 19, 2023.
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. Persons interested in submitting written comments must do so by September
12, 2023. The Company must file any reply comments by September 19, 2023.
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. 35896 4
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 18th day of
August 2023.
ERIC ANDERSON, PRESIDENT
JOHN R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER
EDWARD LODGE, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secretary
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