20051018Comments.pdf

Jean Jewell
~nlo~/, A.
./
(Y'- (-
'j
(J Vi'
. ~
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Ed Howell
Monday I October 17, 2005 1: 35 PM
Jean Jewell; Ed Howell; Gene Fadness; Tonya Clark
Com ment acknowledgement
WNW Form Submission:
Monday, October 17, 2005
12 : 3 5 : 2 8 PM
Case: AVU-G-05-02
Name: Marilyn Turcotte
Street Address: 4002 E. Holt Road
Ci ty: Coeur d Alene
State: Idaho
ZIP: 83814
Home Telephone: [phone]E-Mail: turcotte~icehouse. net
Company: Avista ,mailing list _yes - no:~
Comment description: Dear Sir or Madam:
I am writing regarding Avista ' s proposed rate increase for northern Idaho. I am against
granting a rate increase at this time and don t see the necessity of raising rates again.
Wages in this area, including the Sandpoint/Bonners Ferry area and Silver Valley, are verylow, averaging between $8.00 to $12.00 per hour. Utility and housing costs keep
increasing but wages do not increase and benefits are non-existent. Many families are
finding it impossible just to put food on the table while the top executives of companies(including Avista) are paid obscenely high salaries, bonuses and benefits. Many children
and elderly are cold and hungry and make hard decisions every day, reshuffling priori ties.
And with the price of a gallon of gas now near $3.00, that extra expense must be budgeted
in somehow. How do wages in the Boisel southern Idaho area compare with Kootenai,
Shoshone, Bonner and Boundary counties? Please do not approve a rate increase at thistime. Families are struggling.
Than k you.
Marilyn J. Turcotte
Transaction ID: 10171235.Referred by: http: I Iwww. puc. state. id. usl scripts/polyform. dill ipuc
User Address: 216.255.193.User Hostname: 216.255.193.
11 11----
"'--
t',--V' 0 z,
.j
10/11
Jean Jewell
v'1a /1,; ~-
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Ed Howell
Monday, October 17 2005 12:04 PM
Jean Jewell; Ed Howell; Gene Fadness; Tonya Clark
Comment acknowledgement
WWW Form Submission:
Monday, October 17 , 2005
11:04:01 AM
Case: AVU-G-05-02
Name: Tim Winde
Street Address: 1261 E. Ezra Avenue
City: Hayden
State: ID
ZIP: 83835
Home Telephone: [phone]
E-Mail: timandgretchen~abcinet. netCompany: Avista mailing list _yes _no:
Comment description: I strongly obj ect to Avista ' s proposed rate hike for the followingreasons:
1- Avista s profitability is not at risk.
2- Avista secured contracts for the 2004 - 2005 Winter season well in advance of the rapidprice hikes for natural gas, probably in early Spring. This is a ploy they are using to
get this rate hike. If you ll remember, they made this request in July and prepared
well before then. The spot price of natural gas has risen most dramatically over the past
45 days and has no affect on their profi tabili ty!
3- If a 24% increase is accepted by the commission it will be one more nail that impacts
the economic stability of the community. Jobs and disposable income will be adverselyimpacted.
4 - Has Avista CEO Gary Elycommercial? Of course not
Times are tough and as the
it with the rest of us.
Please make sure you do not grant them this rate hike. The public will be closely
watching the commissions actions.
Thank you!
cut back on the use of the company jet? Throttled back, flying
and until he does then they must be doing quite well thank you.
sole provider of natural gas in North Idaho they need to feel
Transaction ID: 10171104.Referred by: http: I Iwww.puc. state. id. usl scripts/polyform. dill ipucUser Address: 65.216. 75.240User Hostname: 65.216.75.240
(P~~111Ia
Jean Jewell
;1u A V ./10
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Front
Monday, October 17 20058:23 AM
Jean Jewell
Tammie Estberg; Marilyn Parker
FW: Complaint acknowledgement
-----Original Message-----
From: Ed HowellSent: Sunday, October 16, 2005 10:18 PMTo: Front; bev; barker~puc. idaho. gov; Ed
Subj ect: Complaint acknowledgement
Howell; Tonya Clark
WWW Form Submission:
Sunday, October 16, 2005
9 : 18 : 2 3
Name: Margaret Sherwood
Street Address: Box 115
City: Silverton
State: ID
ZIP: 83867
Home Telephone: [phone]
Work=Telephone: N\A
E-Mail: unklwally~imbris. net
Home Business: Home
Busi ess Name: N\A
Business Street Address:Business Phone:
Complaint Company: AVISTA
Local Provider: VerizonContacted utility: No
Complaint =description: Cost increase for senior ci ti zens with increased gasoline & travel
to Cour d' Alene for Dr. appointments, along with increased taxes for property, now we are
looking at a possible 24% natural gas heating cost plus there will probably be an electric
increase. Those of us on fixed incomes will not I'm sure see that much increase in our
social security checks. I feel the comission should look very carefully at a reasonable
increase. It appears there must be excess profits being made somewhere.
Transaction ID: 10162118.Referred by: http: I Iwww.puc. state. id. us/scripts/polyform. dil/cons
User Address: 216.18.131.
User Hostname: 216.18.131.
I ,A , AA.. 111/~
10) r1
Jean Jewell
~i fJ-/1&
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Ed Howell
Saturday, October 15, 2005 3:31 PM
Jean Jewell; Ed Howell; Gene Fadness; Tonya Clark
Comment acknowledgement
WWW Form Submission:
Saturday, October 15, 2005
2 : 30 : 32
Case: AVU-G-05-02
Name: Betty Castleberry
Street Address: box 657
City: Osburn
State: Idaho
ZIP: 83849
Home Telephone: [phone]E-Mail: castlone~localnet. com
Company: Avista mailing list yes no: yes
Comment description: e have a very limited
wanted increase we will be hurting
!!!!!
income & with gas prlces for cars & Avista ' s
Transaction ID: 10151430.Referred by: http: I Iwww. puc. state. id. usl scripts/polyform. dill ipucUser Address: 66.239.239.211
User Hostname: 66.239.239.211
d.
--
AJ'~~ /0/11/0\
Jean Jewell
,/ f;
~~ ~~n
f 11
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Ed Howell
Saturday, October 15, 2005 1 :36
Jean Jewell; Ed Howell; Gene Fadness; Tonya Clark
Comment acknowledgement
WWW Form Submission:
Saturday, October 15, 2005
12:35:48 AM
Case: AVl.-( ~6"()S-~Or
Name: James Booth
Street Address: P.O. Box 5294
City: Coeur d Alene
State: Idaho
ZIP: 83814
Home Telephone: [phone]
E-Mail: reneebo~msn. com
Company: Avista Utilities
mailing list yes no
Comment description: We are tired of the
too hold these Utility Co s accountable.
Utility rates golng thru the roof! It is time
They need to cut employee wages, we know one 21 year old employee that gets $30. an hourplus and gets lots of double overtime!
We are on a fixed income, these price increases are unfair, Absolutely No more prlceincreases for Utili ties!
Transaction ID: 1015035.Referred by: http: I Iwww.puc. state. id. usl scripts/polyform. dill ipucUser Address: 70.36.14.251User Hostname: 70.36.14.251
Jean Jewell
J~~tIO)
jjV'
v'1u
/~ ./'j;; ~vrif5
I t,
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Nancy Hylton
Friday, October 14 , 2005 11 :52 AM
Jean Jewell
Front; Beverly Barker
FW: Complaint acknowledgement
-----Original Message-----From: FrontSent: Friday, October 14, 2005 8:25 AM
To: Nancy Hylton
Subj ect: FW: Complaint acknowledgement
-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Howell
Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2005 5:35 PM
To: Front; bev; barker~puc. idaho. gov;
Subj ect: Complaint acknowledgement
Howell; Tonya Clark
WWW Form Submission:
Thursday, October 13, 2005
4 : 3 4 : 4 5
Name: Susan Wheeler
Street Address: 1003 Phinney
City: Culdesac
State: Idaho
ZIP: 83524-7800
Home Telephone: [phone]
Work Telephone:
E-Mail: trouble28~netscape. com
Home Business: Home
Business Name:
Business Street Address:Business Phone:
Complaint Company: Avista Utili tiesLocal Provider:Contacted utility: yes
Complaint description: I am disabled and on a fixed
my utili ties when they continue to go up and up and
on medication and I live 25 miles from Lewiston andsurvi ve. I am a lone.
income. How am I suppose to pay for
my monthly check stays the same? I am
wi th the price of gas how am I to
Thank you, Susan Wheeler.
Transaction ID: 10131634.Referred by: http: / /www .puc. state. ide us/scripts/polyform. dll/cons
User Address: 209.240.205.
User Hostname: 209.240.205.
iAlA'V ~ 'IO/lgj
/+ \/.
;11
~.
lA-
Jean Jewell
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Ed Howell
Thursday, October 13, 20052:45
Jean Jewell; Ed Howell; Gene Fadness; Tonya Clark
Comment acknowledgement
WNW Form Submission:
Thursday, October 13, 2005
1 : 4 4 : 4 7
Case: AVU-G-05-02
Name: Donna Miller
Street Address: 15985 N. Oneida
City: Rathdrum
State: Idaho
ZIP: 83858
Home Telephone: [phone]E-Mail: drniller4 ~gte. net
Company: Avista ~
mailing list yes no:
Comment desc ipt on: With another mill possibly shuting down in January, and the fixed
income eople we have in the area, I don t think people can afford another price raise in
the utility bills. People here aren t getting the raises in their income to help cover
the property or sale taxes, gas or now utility bills on top of it all. Thank you DonnaMiller
Transaction ID: 10131344.Referred by: http: / /www. puc. state. id. us/ scripts/poly form. dill ipucUser Address: 63.24.125. 74User Hostname: 63.24.125. 74
Jean Jewell
v~l~
/J'l/v-t loll
6~)
/7/1 7u (/wvj,1'U./J
It'
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Ed Howell
Thursday, October 13, 2005 12:07 PM
Jean Jewell; Ed Howell; Gene Fadness; Tonya Clark
Comment acknowledgement
WWW Form Submission:
Thursday, October 13, 2005
11:07:09 AM
Case: AVU G0502
Name: Robert Travis
Street Address: 14988 W. Delmar
City: RathdrumState: Id.
ZIP: 83858
Home Telephone: [phone]
E-Mail:
Company: Avista mailing list yes no:
Comment description: I am against the 24% rate hike currently pending. In my opinion itindicates poor management if you really need 24% to cover costs. If costs have beenincreasing good business practice is to raise rates as you go. Not to wait until your in abind and jump them up to cover what you should have been paying attention to in the past.That's crisis management!
Bob
Transaction ID: 10131107.Referred by: http: / /www. puc. state. ide us/ scripts/polyform. dill ipucUser Address: 65.107.168.210User Hostname: 65.107.168.210
jtv.itt-
v'
~-
tDI,q/O';'
vi (cJ It, J.
,/
1,1
~~~
J It
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, Id. 83720
:L~CEI\"ED
"'- i
October 12, 2005' L L
12696 Dover L111fiS OCT 14 Pi)1 2: J 4
IIayden, Id. 83835
;iC PUBLIC
e.1 r I L j TIE S eD t-
, j"
'lIS Sf ON
Dear Commission:
This letter is in regard to Avista of Washington proposed rate increase on natural gas of
approximately 40%. The IPUC docket # is A VU-05-02.
As a senior age person living on a fixed income, the proposed 40% rate increase on the
natural gas we use in our home for heating, cooking, laundry dryer, and water heater, far
exceeds the monthly Social Security increase of 3% both in percent as well as real
dollars. For us, the monthly Social Security 3% increase would be about $30.00 per
month. With the increase cost of Medicare and the new drug program, $30.00 doesn
even cover these cost let alone the proposed natural gas increase. For our A vista bill, the
proposed increase during the winter time would be over $40.00 per month.
In reviewing the makeup of the A vista board with three banker types, two attorneys, and
5 corporate executives, all of these people make at least $100 000 a year and more. And
the reimbursement from Avista for their board positions would certainly offset a $40.
monthly increase in their houses ' natural gas cost. The impact on these Avista board
people will NOT be same as it impacts our financial situation. And with A vista CEO
Gary Ely making over $900 000 in salary as CEO, he won t have any problem with his
monthly A vista gas bill going up 40 %.
Avista certainly doesn t have any representation on their board of people from the less
affiuent sector of society ~ the working and retired folks. No wonder they don t mind
raising the rates some 40% - it certainly won t impact them or their wealthy friends.
Their A vista stock will just also increase. And I suspect many of them are so isolated in
their gated and protected world of power and wealth, they don t even know - or maybe
care - about the other segment of people that are totally dependant on their product for
heat and utilities in their houses. And being the sole provider, A vista only has to
convince the IPUC which generally is done with good representation by their attorneys
and public relations people - the cost of which gets factored into the rate increase rational
which the consumer ultimately pays for. Little people only have influence via this kind
of IPUC letter - gives new understanding to trying to stop a bulldozer by holding up
one s hand.
And you certainly never hear about Avista corporate officers and/or board members
donating their board payments to Avista s Project Share. Maybe they do but it must be in
the realm of "quiet philanthropy . But they do expect the small rate payers to fund this
Page 2 Avista Cont.
safety net for the very poor. You can be assured that there are more donations to Project
Share from the consumers - in real dollars and percent of income - than from the
Avista s corporate and board people.
In closing, I know that the rational for the 40% natural gas increase is touted by the fact
that the oil and gas companies are gouging everyone - including A vista. But it might
time for some belt tightening - especially among the corporate rich in Avista. In order
for the rest of the community to survive the gouging, the pain needs to be shared
proportionally by all. The only hope for any of us at the lower levels of the economic
ladder, is for the IPUC to say NO to this increase. We hope that you do.
Sincerely,
L. Martin
Cc: Spokesman Review
Cd' A Press
I JJ
~-
II
/~
joj
/((
Dc,
;/
A--
,/ ~
~v("
c- fJ;
ECEIVED
;:'
jLED /27 -- /~-Cl
L~ L:'
nr'plO
., ,.,
t) i M.l'o~ 8' '")
r It f;t~
(~,
~;lt~:H~ M
if
910
~ ~
OX ~ -J
I $LeJ
~ ,
aA.-e.-
~~(
tJ-u/ 9Uu- ru-
~ ~
r:?p-
q/-c;? ~//7
leU . r
~~
~I
-:;
ZtH---?
~ ~
I ~
. .
~hLa (9"-
~)/ ~ ~~ ~
I ~Qk? I~
~ ~ . ~~ ~
!K~
~ ~~/--
JL.~ II
~~.! ~~.
Barbara ScarseUa
663 E Dalton Ave
Dalton Gardens ID 83815-7300
Haven Humane Society
cJL??-- --;r;:;2 -S3 a
,/
~11!/6~/ 16 141/
./
1rJ ~YI"VS
:ECEl ED
;1 r:r!" CO"
~~. ,,, .- "
" I c'- r,'-dL! rlrt tj: L::J
.. 1\;-\ rj!jr~
,,-
' i;'' t , L. ,I.."
)I!l,!T!FS COt";I'oiISSION
October 12 2005
Robert Whitcomb
2796 Ferry Landing
Post Falls, Id. 83854
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
O. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0074
Dear Sirs:
In reading the Spokane Review I learned about a meeting held
where you thought it was a shame you had so few attend. I find it no
wonder there were few in attendance, since I saw no advertisement of the
meeting. I read the paper and watch the news every day, and saw nothing
about this meeting. My wife and I would have gladly attended
as we are concerned about rising costs.
0 1 am also sure there would have
been many other people there if they had-known of this meeting.
- -
Maybe there should be another meeting with at least some notice so
that people can attend, or is it to the best interests of A vista to not do this.
The rising cost of taxes, plus utilities, plus auto fuel, medical bills, and
medication will cause retired Seniors on fixed incomes many great
hardships. Each of you may retire some day, so consider us in your
thoughts. Again I would like to reiterate we would like to attend if we
had proper notice of the meeting.
Pat & Bob Whitcomb
2796 Ferry Landing
Post Falls,- Id.S3 854
208;-777-214!
- ,- "- '; '. ,
!i-
~ '
7.11 11~ r.t~
. "
UH1'LKI
jJ~
,/
;::;ollqliJt(Y/1~ /+.1/../ 1" ~f)1.r)
' If
;:ECEiVED
ctL./c?-/3-cS-
'~ , '
~ 0.,r;c
, '
hf;"
' ,
\.m,l \l-t, \ . hI!
~- , .~.
c;b
--"
~~e
~..~~~. .~~~
-=z;-
?" ~. .
A9-xJ &0' N. .
~ ~~~. '~~~~ ;)-~~~~~ ..
. r;
. .
' cp
~ ',- .~~-
~ l
~ (!!
~r:r~
~ ~,~ '! ,
D/ .
~~/~~q.'
4--. "
~.,p~, ,' ,~~~
c.-(~~
' '' ~~' ,," ,~~~~
Cl;;-1 ~~~~ 7
~ ,,~~~" ,~~~~~~~~
~~J
~, ~~ ', '
Mrs. Connie Holden
1025 N. 8th St.
, Coeur Alene, ill 83814
. ,- -, "--~.~-=,~-~-~........,,....-
c.~,~- -
-------~. , .
_~n
:-:'::~~_.......",-,
" --.J
Cathie Simpson
' ', '
O. Box 815
, ,
Rathdrum. Idaho 838~~ii
, -
r '
, - ' --, --
LCc,~'
~~,
C~". "
" ""-" -- ,
dGdlO
1.1-1/ I i+.'-e~