20231011Notice_of_Filing_Order_No_35952.pdf

NOTICE OF FILING
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35952 1
Office of the Secretary
Service Date
October 11, 2023
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-23-13

NOTICE OF FILING

NOTICE OF
MODIFIED PROCEDURE

ORDER NO. 35952

On September 19, 2023, Avista Corporation (“Company”) filed a compliance filing
(“Filing”) requesting that the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”) issue an order
accepting its updated load forecast, natural gas price forecast, and contract information
components 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, 32802, and 35274. IRP avoided cost rates are available to qualifying facilities 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 represented the energy load forecast
increases at 0.74% annual average growth rate for years 2024 through 2045.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED the Company stated its natural gas forecast was
developed using a combination of “the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Annual Energy
Outlook. . . and forward market prices as of July 26, 2022.” Filing at 3.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company noted that, since its 2022 annual
filing, the Company has signed one new long-term PURPA contract and extended three existing
Power Purchase Agreements. The Company also indicated that it has plans to extend two PURPA
contracts that are set to expire at the end of 2023.

NOTICE OF FILING
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35952 2
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED the Company’s Filing is available for public inspection
during regular business hours at the Commission’s office. The Filing and related documents are
also available on the Commission’s website 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 Filing
may file a written comment explaining why the person supports or opposes the Filing. Persons
who would like a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written comments. Persons
shall have until November 14, 2023, to file written comments. Comments must be filed 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 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:

NOTICE OF FILING
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35952 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 by
November 21, 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 this case be processed by Modified Procedure. Persons
interested in submitting written comments must do so by November 14, 2023. The Company must
file any reply comments by November 21, 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 FILING
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35952 4
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 11th day of
October 2023.

__________________________________________
ERIC ANDERSON, PRESIDENT

__________________________________________
JOHN R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER

__________________________________________
EDWARD LODGE, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secretary

I:\Legal\ELECTRIC\AVU-E-23-13_Forecast\orders\AVUE2313_Ntc_Filing_Mod_md.docx