181012 Avista NGIRP.pdf

Case No. AVU-G-18-05
Contact: Matt Evans
Office: [phone]
Cell: [phone]
[e-mail]
Comments accepted on Avista’s long-range
plan for natural gas operations
BOISE (Oct. 12, 2018) – Avista Utilities expects increased reliance on conservation and
efficiency to offset the need for additional natural gas generation over the next 20 years,
according to the long-range planning document filed with state regulators.
Avista is required to file the Natural Gas Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) with the Idaho
Public Utilities Commission every other year.
The IRP is intended to demonstrate the utility’s plan to provide safe, reliable and economic
natural gas service to its customers in a number of scenarios, covering various weather and
market conditions, over a 20-year planning period.
Avista provides natural gas service to 83,000 customers in northern Idaho.
The Commission is accepting written comments on the IRP through Dec. 13.
Commission acceptance of the plan does not signal approval or endorsement of every
aspect of the IRP, but rather that the company has met its requirement to file the plan.
Avista’s 2018 IRP notes that while there has been an increase in the supply of natural gas in
the US, and subsequent low costs have led to increasing interest in natural gas, the utility
does not anticipate growth in demand among its traditional residential and commercial
customers throughout the planning period.
Lower prices could lead to increased demand for natural gas among Large Industrial
customers, however.
The IRP’s Expected Case scenario anticipates the total number of customers to grow from
348,000 today to 412,000 in 2037, with the average daily demand increasing at an annual
rate of 0.02 percent.

The peak-day demand for natural gas is expected to increase by an average 0.71 percent
annually through 2037.
To meet that demand, Avista maintains a diversified portfolio of natural gas supply
resources, including storage, firm capacity rights on six pipelines and contracts for the
purchase of natural gas from multiple supply basins.
Analysis conducted for the IRP found no resource deficiencies through the 20-year
planning period in all conditions except the High Growth and Low Price scenario. In all
other cases examined, the outlook determined that existing resources will be sufficient to
meet demand through 2037.
Rather than adding supply, the IRP calls for efficiency and conservation, or Demand Side
Management (DSM), to play a significant role in meeting demand.
That differs from 2016, when the utility said low natural gas prices rendered DSM
programs cost-ineffective.
The public played a role in the development of the IRP, including four meetings of the
utility’s Technical Advisory Committee, which consists of customers, representatives from
peer utilities, Commission staff and others.
To comment on the IRP, go here. Or go to the Commission’s web site, www.puc.idaho.gov
and click on “Case Comment Form” under the “Natural Gas” heading. Comments can also be
submitted via fax to [phone] or by mail to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074.
Please include the case number, AVU-G-18-05, with your comment.
All documents related to this case, including Avista’s IRP and supporting documents, are
available here. Or go to the Commission’s web site, www.puc.idaho.gov, click on “Open
Cases” under the “Natural Gas” heading and scroll down to case number AVU-G-18-05.