20210702Avista Rate Increase Telephonic Hearing.pdf

Case No. AVU-E-21-01
Case No. AVU-G-21-01
Order No. 35010
Contact: Adam Rush
Office: [phone]
[e-mail]

NEWS RELEASE: Commission schedules telephonic public hearing on proposed Avista natural
gas, electric rate increases

BOISE (July 2, 2021) – The Idaho Public Utilities Commission will host a telephonic public
hearing on Wednesday, July 14, to take testimony on a proposed rate increase for Avista natural
gas and electric customers in Idaho.

The telephonic hearing begins at 6:00 p.m. (PDT). Those interested in submitting verbal
testimony are asked to call 1-415-655-0001, and enter passcode 133 481 5766 when prompted.
Those planning on testifying are encouraged to join the hearing at 5:45 p.m. (PDT).

Parties to the case have proposed a settlement with a two-year rate plan that, if approved by the
Idaho Public Utilities Commission, would allow Avista to increase annual base electric revenues
by $10.6 million, or 4.3 percent, effective Sept. 1, 2021, and increase annual base electric
revenues by $8.0 million, or 3.1 percent, effective Sept. 1, 2022.

For natural gas, the parties agree that Avista should be allowed to decrease natural gas base
revenue by $1.6 million, or 3.7 percent, effective Sept. 1, 2021, and increase natural gas base
revenue by $0.9 million, or 2.2 percent, effective Sept. 1, 2022. Through the settlement
agreement, the parties also agree to return to customers available tax credits of
approximately $31.3 million for electric over the two-year rate plan and $12.1 million for natural
gas over 10 years.

If the settlement is approved, a residential electric customer using an average of 892 kilowatt
hours per month would see a billed increase of $0.49 per month, or 0.6 percent, effective Sept. 1,
2021, and a billed increase of $0.31 per month, or 0.4 percent, effective Sept. 1, 2022. A
residential natural gas customer using an average of 63 therms per month would see a billed
decrease of $2.30 per month, or 4.6 percent, effective Sept. 1, 2021, and a billed increase of
$0.76 per month, or 1.6 percent, effective Sept. 1, 2022.

Avista’s original proposal called for an increase in rates for electric customers and natural gas
customers over a two-year period. In the first year, Avista proposed to increase electric revenues
by $24.8 million, or 10.1 percent, and natural gas revenues by $0.1 million, or 0.1 percent,
beginning Sept. 1, 2021. In the second year, Avista originally requested an increase of $8.7
million, or 3.2 percent, for electric customers, and $1 million, or 2.2 percent, for natural gas
customers. Avista’s original request also proposed to offset the proposed rate increases with
available tax credits, similar to the settlement agreement.

In addition to the telephonic hearing, those wishing to submit written comments on the proposed
rate increases may do so. Public testimony and written comments become part of the permanent
public record for the case.

Written comments are due by the close of business on Tuesday, Aug. 3. Comments must be filed
by e-mail unless it is unavailable. To comment by e-mail, please visit puc.idaho.gov. Click on
the “Consumers” tab and then the “Case Comment or Question Form” and complete the form
using case number AVU-G-21-01 if commenting on the proposed natural gas rate increase or
case number AVU-E-21-01 if commenting on the proposed electric rate increase. If e-mail is not
available, comments may be mailed to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission and Avista at these
addresses:

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 the commission to send express mail:

11331 W. Chinden Blvd.
Building 8, Suite 201-A
Boise, ID 83714

For Avista:

David J. Meyer, Esq.
Vice President and Chief Counsel for
Regulatory & Governmental Affairs
Avista Corporation
P.O. Box 3727
1411 E. Mission Avenue
Spokane, WA 99220-3727
[e-mail]

To learn more about Avista’s application, please visit: puc.idaho.gov/case/Details/6614.