20230927Final_Order_No_35932.pdf

ORDER NO. 35932 1
Office of the Secretary
Service Date
September 27, 2023
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE RESIDENTIAL
AND SMALL FARM ANNUAL RATE
ADJUSTMENT FILING OF AVISTA
CORPORATION
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CASE NO. AVU-E-23-11

ORDER NO. 35932

On July 31, 2023, Avista Corporation d/b/a/ Avista Utilities (“Company”) filed an
application (“Application”) with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”)
requesting an order authorizing the Company to implement Residential and Small Farm Energy
rates for electric service from October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024. The Company
requested an October 1, 2023, effective date. Application at 1.
The Company represented that the electric Residential and Farm Energy Rate Adjustment
results from an agreement between the Company and Bonneville Power Administration (“BPA”)
that provides a share of the benefits of the federal Columbia River power system to the residential
and small-farm customers of the six investor-owned utilities of the Pacific Northwest. Id. at 2.
The Company proposed a Residential and Small Farm Energy Rate Adjustment credit rate
for rate schedules 1, 12, 22, 32, and 48 of 0.366¢ per kilowatt-hour (“kWh”), which represents a
$0.2 million, or 0.1%, increase to qualifying customers. Id. at 1.
The Company represented that under the current Residential Exchange rate adjustment,
approximately $4.93 million annually is being passed through to applicable Idaho customers
through a uniform 0.380¢ per kWh rate credit. Id. at 2-3.
The Company represented that the proposed rate credit of 0.366¢ per kWh is designed to
pass through approximately $4.9 million, which represents the Idaho portion of the annual level
of BPA benefits, offset by an over-refunded balance from the prior year, starting in October 2023.
Id. at 3. The Company provided the following table detailing the differences between the current
benefits and the proposed benefits.
ORDER NO. 35932 2

Id.
The Company represented that residential customers using an average of 927 kWh per
month would see their monthly bills increase from $85.40 to $85.53, an increase of $0.13 per
month, or 0.2%. Id. at 4.
The Company represented that the Application would be brought to the attention of the
Company’s customers through a Press Release, as well as Customer Notices that would be
included in customer’s bills beginning in early August 2023 and run for a full billing cycle. Id.
STAFF COMMENTS
Staff reviewed the methodology and calculation of the proposed Residential and Small
Farm credit rate, and Staff believed the approach was consistent with the terms and conditions of
Schedule 59 Residential and Farm Energy Rate Adjustment - Idaho. Staff audited the inputs and
independently recalculated the rate. Staff recommended the Commission approve the proposed
rate of 0.366¢ per kWh as filed.
Customer Notice, Press Release, and Public Comments
Staff reviewed the Company’s press release and customer notice and determined both met
the requirements of Rule 125 of the Commission’s Rules of Procedure. See IDAPA 31.01.01.125.
However, the notice was included with bills mailed to customers beginning August 7, 2023, and
ending September 7, 2023. The Commission set a comment deadline of September 13, 2023, and
Staff believed that some customers in the last billing cycles would not have received or had
adequate time to submit comments before the deadline. Staff recommended that the Commission
accept and consider any late filed customer comments.
ORDER NO. 35932 3
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommended that the Commission approve the Company’s Application as filed; and
accept and consider any late filed customer comments.
COMPANY REPLY COMMENTS
The Company did not submit any reply comments.
COMMISSION FINDINGS AND DECISION
The Commission has jurisdiction over the Company’s Application and the issues in this
case under Title 61 of the Idaho Code including Idaho Code §§ 61-301 through 303. The
Commission is empowered to investigate rates, charges, rules, regulations, practices, and contracts
of all public utilities and to determine whether they are just, reasonable, preferential,
discriminatory, or in violation of any provisions of law, and to fix the same by order. Idaho Code
§§ 61-501 through 503.
Having reviewed the Application, all submitted comments, and all submitted materials, the
Commission finds it fair, just, and reasonable to approve the Application as filed.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Application is approved as filed.
THIS IS A FINAL ORDER. Any person interested in this Order may petition for
reconsideration within twenty-one (21) days of the service date upon this Order regarding any
matter decided in this Order. Within seven (7) days after any person has petitioned for
reconsideration, any other person may cross-petition for reconsideration. See Idaho Code §§ 61-
626 and 62-619. ///

ORDER NO. 35932 4
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 27th day of
September 2023.

ERIC ANDERSON, PRESIDENT

JOHN R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER

EDWARD LODGE, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:

Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secretary

I:\Legal\ELECTRIC\AVU-E-23-11_Res Exc Rate\orders\AVUE2311_FO_cb.docx