20240208Comments_2.pdf

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acklin
LAND COMPANY 4752 W. Riverbend Avenue• Post Falls, ID 83854 [phone] • Fax [phone] January 30, 2024 Monica Barrios-Sanchez, Commission Secretary Idaho Public Utilities Commission PO Box 83720 Boise ID 83720-0074 RE: EV Infrastructure Dear Ms Barrios-Sanchez: As a landowner along the Interstate 90 corridor in Post Falls (an area currently underserved with EV infrastructure), we have explored the possibility of adding an EV charging station. Regrettably, the current demand charge model which we are subject to, renders that investment uneconomical. Avista's proposal for modified electricity rates could make that investment worthwhile for us and others. This change is a crucial step toward expanding the EV infrastructure in Idaho. Currently, the difference between demand charges and monthly revenues poses a significant obstacle, dissuading private investors like us from participating. This places the responsibility of developing EV infrastructure on local governments. A vista's proposed rate design introduces an optional rate schedule for DCFC charging operations and eliminates the variable demand charges which addresses one of the significant operational challenges for current and prospective charging station owners and provides an avenue for private investment to yield viable and sustainable returns. We encourage the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to consider and approve this proposal, recognizing it's potential to alleviate the financial burden on local governments while still supporting EV infrastructure growth. Sincerely, "-�i---......_ Taggart Jacklin, Manager cc: David Meyer, Avista Vice President and Chief Counsel Patrick Ehrbar, Avista Director of Regulatory Affairs ipuc avista ev infrastructure support
RECEIVED
Thursday, February 8, 2024 9:28:16 AM
IDAHO PUBLIC
UTILITIES COMMISSION
The following comment was submited via PUCWeb:

Name: Bret Taylor
Submission Time: Feb 7 2024 6:08PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: PO Box 580
Sandpoint, ID 83864

Name of U�lity Company: Avista

Case ID: AVU-E-23-16

Comment: "To Whom It May Concern,
My name is Bret Taylor and I am the President and Dealer Principal of Taylor & Sons Chevrolet in
Ponderay, Idaho. I am also the Owner / Operator of one of three DC Fast Charging sta�ons in Bonner and
Boundary coun�es. This is also the only DC Fast Charging sta�on in the two most Northern coun�es
currently serviced by Avista U�li�es. Our sta�on was commissioned July of 2023 and has been in
opera�on for 7 months. When installing this sta�on, Taylor & Sons mo�va�on was influenced by a
variety of factors. Those included manufacturer requirements, infrastructure for a percentage of vehicles
that will be sold and repaired by our business, and contribu�ng to our rural community by private
investment for Electric Vehicle charging op�ons. Taylor & Sons investment in this DC Fast Charging
sta�on was over $150,000 between electrical contrac�ng, earthwork, and the sta�on itself. Given these
ini�al fixed costs, I went into this project knowing that it would never be a profit center for my business,
let alone achieve break even. However, our hopes were that revenue generated from the distribu�on of
power would offset the incremental u�lity bill associated with the opera�on of the charger. As the only
op�on available to us was Avista’s schedule 11, the opera�on of this sta�on is subject to a substan�al
demand charge. This means the first �me a vehicle that is equipped to maximize the output of our
184kW charger plugs in, Taylor & Sons incurs a $1,066 demand charge poten�ally on the first event
of any billing cycle. This demand charge is in addi�on to any actual electrical consump�on that takes
place during a given billing cycle. On average, actual billing for electrical consump�on as a percentage of
billing for demand charge is 9.7%. This excessive demand charge makes it nearly impossible to generate
enough revenue during a given billing cycle to offset the u�lity bill. In fact, during the seven months of
opera�on of our DC Fast Charging sta�on we have averaged a $307.54 per month revenue shor�all as
compared to monthly billing. Effec�vely, we are providing customers with free fuel.

Feedback I have been provided by sta�on users has been one of gra�tude. This sta�on, like most DC Fast
Chargers in rural areas, is primarily used by individuals passing through. This could include Canadian’s on
there way to vaca�on in Idaho, visitors to Schweitzer Mountain Resort, or those needing to conduct
commerce in North Idaho. I have had several interac�ons with customers that stated this sta�on was the
reason they were able to operate their Electric Vehicle for whatever business was being conducted in the
greater Sandpoint area.

Taylor & Sons and myself would like to voice our support for Avista’s proposed schedule 23.
Although the proposed schedule is not ideal, it is a substan�al improvement as compared to the current
schedule 11 we are currently billed under.

Respec�ully,
Bret Taylor
President
Taylor & Sons Chevrolet
476751 Highway 95 N
Ponderay, ID 83852
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