181102 Avista BPA case.pdf

Case No. AVU-E-18-09
Contact: Matt Evans
Office: [phone]
Cell: [phone]
[e-mail]

Telephonic public hearing set for Nov. 7 in
Avista case involving asset transfer with BPA

BOISE (Nov. 2, 2018) – The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has scheduled a telephonic
public hearing for a case involving the exchange of electrical assets between Avista and the
Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).

Avista’s proposal would not impact rates and “no money would change hands” between the
utility and BPA, a federal non-profit agency that markets the wholesale electric energy
generated at the Columbia River Station, a network of 31 federally owned dams along the
Columbia and Snake rivers, one nuclear plant and several small nonfederal power plants in
the Pacific Northwest.

Instead, the proposed transfer of nearly 15 miles of 115-kilovolt power lines and
easements owned by BPA for a 230-kilovolt power breaker owned by Avista is “merely
intended to simplify administrative, operational and maintenance responsibilities for both
BPA and the Company,” according to the application.

The application indicates the power breaker owned by Avista is located inside a BPA
substation, while the BPA lines and easements are “physically and electrically” separate
from BPA’s main transmission network and are surrounded by Avista’s transmission
system.

Avista’s proposal indicates the equipment that would be transferred has created regulatory
challenges at the federal level for both entities.

Idaho Code requires Commission approval of agreements involving the transfer of property
owned by a regulated utility. State law also requires a public hearing to be held.

Scheduled for Nov. 7 at 2 pm, the telephonic public hearing will consist solely of testimony
provided by any interested party.

Those interested in testifying should call [phone] a few minutes before the start of
the hearing and enter the participant code 6674 832# when prompted.

Written comments are being accepted on the proposal through Nov. 14. Written comments
carry the same weight as oral testimony provided at a hearing before the Commission.

Go here to submit a comment electronically. Or go to the Commission’s web site,
www.puc.idaho.gov and click on “Case Comment Form” under the “Electric” heading. Please
include the case number, AVU-E-18-09.

Comments can also be submitted via fax to [phone] or by mail to P.O. Box 83720,
Boise, ID 83720-0074.

All documents in this case, including Avista’s application, are available here. Or go to the
Commission’s web site, www.puc.idaho.gov, click on “Open Cases” under the “Electric”
heading and scroll down to case number AVU-E-18-09.