28629.mod.doc

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF AVISTA CORPORATION DBA AVISTA UTILITIES—WASHINGTON WATER POWER DIVISION (IDAHO) FOR APPROVAL OF REINSTATEMENT OF NATURAL GAS ENERGY POWER PROGRAMS (TARIFF SCHEDULES 190 AND 191) AND A RELATED SURCHARGE. )
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NOTICE OF APPLICATION

NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE

NOTICE OF COMMENT/ PROTEST DEADLINE

ORDER NO. 28629

BACKGROUND
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on January 8, 2001, Avista Corporation dba Avista Utilities—Washington Water Power Division (Idaho) submitted a tariff advice for Schedules 190 and 191 – Natural Gas Energy Efficiency Programs. The tariff filing proposes reinstating the Schedule 190 natural gas energy efficiency programs that were in place in 1995 and 1996. The programs were suspended when the natural gas avoided cost dropped to the point where the programs were no longer cost effective. The funding for the programs is proposed through a Schedule 191 distribution surcharge of 0.5% on retail therm sales service. No surcharge is proposed for transportation customers. The anticipated funding level for Idaho is approximately $240,000. Revenue will be dedicated exclusively to natural gas energy efficiency programs and associated program administration.
The proposed programs fall into three categories.
Standard Offers—those measures traditionally associated with utility conservation programs. These services include weatherization, appliance efficiency, process improvements, and control technologies for both residential and nonresidential customers.
Limited-Income Energy Efficiency Assistance.
Market Transformation through codes and dealer channels. Potentially incorporated into this package is an internet-based (IBA) auction mechanism.
Avista proposes the program under the oversight of the Company’s External Energy Efficiency (Triple-E) Board. The Triple-E board is made up of industry, regulatory and consumer assistance groups and should be an impartial group of qualified individuals to perform this function. All expenditures made under Schedule 190 will receive a complete calculation of their energy impact and cost-effectiveness.
The Company has requested an effective date of February 15, 2001.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has reviewed the Company’s tariff advice filing and proposed reinstatement of Schedules 190 and 191—natural gas energy efficiency programs and finds it reasonable to initiate a formal docket to provide notice and solicit public comments.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has preliminarily found that the public interest regarding reinstatement of Schedules 190 and 191 may not require a hearing to consider the issues presented and that the Application may be processed under Modified Procedure, i.e., by written submission rather than by hearing. Reference Commission Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.201 through -.204.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission will not hold a hearing in this proceeding unless it receives written comment opposing the use of Modified Procedure and stating why Modified Procedure should not be used. Reference IDAPA 31.01.01.203.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the deadline for filing written comments or protests with respect to the Application and the Commission’s use of Modified Procedure in Case No. AVU-G-01-01 is Monday, February 12, 2001. Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written comments or protests.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are received within the deadline, the Commission will consider the matter on its merits and enter its Order without a formal hearing. If comments or protests are filed within the deadline, the Commission will consider them and in its discretion may set the matter for hearing or may decide the matter and issue its Order on the basis of the written positions before it. Reference IDAPA 31.01.01.204.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application and the proposed Schedules 190 and 191 tariffs have been filed with the Commission and are available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission’s office and at the Idaho offices of Avista. Written comments concerning this Application should be mailed to the Commission and the Company at the addresses reflected below:

COMMISSION SECRETARY
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W WASHINGTON ST
BOISE, ID 83702-5983 THOMAS D DUKICH, MANAGER
RATES & TARIFF ADMINISTRATION
AVISTA CORPORATION
1411 E MISSION
PO BOX 3727
SPOKANE, WA 99220-0500
And
BRUCE FOLSOM
AVISTA CORPORATION
1411 E MISSION
PO BOX 3727
SPOKANE, WA 99220-0500
All comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this document.
O R D E R
In consideration of the foregoing and as more particularly described above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED and the Commission in Case No. AVU-G-01-01 does hereby approve the above schedule for Modified Procedure.

DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this _______ day of January 2001.

DENNIS S. HANSEN, PRESIDENT

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER

PAUL KJELLANDER, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Jean D. Jewell
Commission Secretary

vld/O:AVU-G-01-01_sw

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT/ PROTEST DEADLINE
ORDER NO. 28629 4

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
January 31, 2001