20040225Order No 29432.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
February 25, 2004
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF
AVISTACORPORATIONFOR THE
AUTHORITY TO INCREASE ITS RATES AND
CHARGES FOR ELECTRIC AND NATURAL
GAS SERVICE TO ELECTRIC AND NATURAL )
GAS CUSTOMERS IN THE STATE OF IDAHO.
CASE NO. A VU-O4-
A VU O4-
ORDER NO. 29432
On February 6, 2004, A vista Corporation dba A vista Utilities (A vista; Company) filed an
Application with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (Commission) for authority to increase the
Company s general rates for electric and natural gas service by averages of 24.1 % and 9.2%
respectively. If approved, Company revenues for electric base retail rates would increase by $35.2
million annually; Company revenues for natural gas service would increase by $4.7 million annually.
A vista is also proposing a reduction in its current Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) surcharge rate. The
net amount of actual increase varies by class of customer and by usage. The Company requests
Commission authority to increase its rates and charges for electric and natural gas service in the State
of Idaho on and after March 10, 2004.
After reviewing the Application in Case Nos. A VU-04-1 and A VU-04-, the
Commission makes the following findings of fact and conclusions of law and enters its Order as
follows:
FINDINGS OF FACT
A vista Corporation dba A vista Utilities has submitted proposed schedules of rates and
charges for electric and natural gas service in Idaho to become effective on and after March 10, 2004.
The Commission will be unable to consider the Application before the proposed effective
date of March 10, 2004, because of other demands on the Commission s time and because of the
complexity of the evidence and issues presented by the Application. The Application is of sufficient
importance to require the Commission s investigation of the reasonableness of the proposed rates and
charges.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has jurisdiction over A vista Corporation dba A vista
Utilities and its Application in Case Nos. A VU-04-1 and A VU-04-1 pursuant to Idaho Code, Title
61 and the Commission s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
ORDER NO. 29432
The Commission has authority under Idaho Code ~ 61-622 and 61-623 to suspend the rates
which are the subject of this Application for a period of thirty (30) days plus five (5) months from the
proposed effective date, March 10, 2004.
It is necessary to suspend the proposed rates for a period of thirty (30) days plus five (5)
months from March 10, 2004, to allow the Commission sufficient time to hear the evidence to be
presented in this matter and to consider and determine the issues presented by the Application.
ORDER
In consideration of the foregoing and as more particularly described above, IT IS HEREBY
ORDERED that the proposed schedules of rates and charges for electric and natural gas service in
Case Nos. A VU-04-1 and A VU-04-1 should be and hereby are suspended for a period of thirty
(30) days plus five (5) months, from March 10, 2004, or until such time as the Commission enters an
Order accepting, rejecting or modifying the Application in this matter.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this ;;;5 .,.J...
day of February 2004.
fi1111!b-
SHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
~LD.
D. Jewell
C mmission Secretary
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ORDER NO. 29432