20061004notice_of_application_order_no_30145.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
October 4, 2006
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF A VISTA CORPORATION TO INCREASE
THE COMPANY'S ENERGY EFFICIENCY
TARIFF SCHEDULE 191 CASE NO. A VU-06-
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED
PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30145
On September 14, 2006 , Avista Corporation dba Avista Utilities filed its Application
to increase the Company s Energy Efficiency Tariff Schedule 191. Schedule 191 is designed to
recover the costs incurred by the Company associated with providing natural gas efficiency
services to customers. The Company requested Modified Procedure and an effective date of the
new tariff of October 13 , 2006.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that according to Avista s Application, the
proposed increase in the Schedule 191 rate is necessary to continue to fund ongoing natural gas-
efficiency programs as set forth in A vista s more recent Integrated Resource Plan for natural gas
service and to amortize a deficiency balance within the natural gas Demand Side Management
(DSM) tariff rider resulting from the Company s response to customer demand for the services
that was higher than expected. The Company asserts that the proposed increase will not result in
a change in profits for the Company.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that A vista states that the existing and planned
expenses for the DSM programs are far exceeding revenues. The tariff rider for DSM programs
has not changed since 2001. A vista states that as of the close of August 2006, its natural gas
DSM tariff rider balance for Idaho is negative $1.5 million. The proposed tariff rider increase is
estimated to erase this liability balance by the end of the second quarter of 2008.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application states that the proposed
increase is a 1.4% increase, as expressed as a percentage of present gas revenue. The proposed
rates will result in a 1.75% total charge for DSM.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30145
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Avista states that all Schedule 191 funds will
remain within the natural gas efficiency rider programs. A vista will continually assess demand
for the services and program financial balances and propose revisions to Schedule 191 as needed.
The Company states that the programs are cost-effective and that the additional funding will
expand the availability of the programs. The Company provided a copy of its customer notice
and press release announcing the proposed tariff change.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has reviewed the
Application in this case and has preliminarily determined that the public interest in this matter
may not require a hearing to consider the issues presented, and that the issues raised by the
Application may be processed under Modified Procedure, i., by written submission rather
than by hearing. IDAPA 31.01.01.210-204. The Commission notes that Modified Procedure
and written comments have proven to be an effective means for obtaining public input and
participation.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the deadline for filing written comments or
protests with respect to Avista s Application and the use of Modified Procedure in this case is
October 24, 2006. The comment must contain a statement of reasons supporting the comment.
Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written comments.
Written comments concerning this Application shall be mailed to the Commission and the
Applicant at the addresses reflected below:
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
Street Address for Express Mail:
Kelly Norwood
Vice President, State and Federal Regulation
A vista Corporation
1411 E. Mission Ave., MSC-
Spokane, W A 99220
E-mail: kelly.norwood(fYavistacorp.com
472 W. Washington Street
Boise, Idaho 83702-5983
David J. Meyer
Vice President and Chief Counsel of
Regulatory and Governmental Affairs
A vista Corporation
1411 E. Mission Ave., MSC-
Spokane, W A 99220
E-mail: david.meyer(fYavistacorp.com
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30145
These comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this
document. Persons desiring to submit comments via e-mail may do so by accessing the
Commission s home page located at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click the "Comments and Questions
icon, and complete the comment form using the case number as it appears on the front of this
document. These comments must also be sent to the Applicant at the e-mail addresses listed
above.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are
received within the time limit set, the Commission may consider the matter on its merits and may
enter its Order without a formal hearing. If written comments or protests are received 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 based on the written comments before it. IDAP A
31.01.01.204.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application and proposed tariff Schedule
191 have been filed with the Commission and are available for public inspection during regular
business hours at the Commission offices or on the Commission s web site, www.puc.idaho.gov
under the "File Room" icon.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has jurisdiction over this
matter pursuant to Title 61 of the Idaho Code, and specifically Idaho Code ~~ 61-307 61-507
61-622 and 61-623.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be
conducted pursuant to the Commission s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
SUSPENSION OF PROPOSED RATES
Due to the complexity of this case and other constraints upon the Commission s time
the Commission finds that it cannot adequately review Avista s request for a change in the
Schedule 191 tariff rate for Energy Efficiency Programs before the proposed October 13 2006
effective date. Pursuant to Idaho Code ~ 61-623 , the Commission hereby suspends the proposed
base rates for a period of 120 days following the proposed date, or until such time the
Commission enters its Order accepting, rejecting or modifying the proposed rates in this matter.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30145
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Application of A vista Corporation be processed
by Modified Procedure, IDAP A 31.01.01.201-204. Persons interested in submitting written
comments in this matter or protesting the use of Modified Procedure must do so no later than
October 24, 2006.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the proposed Schedule 191 by Avista Corporation
is suspended for a period of 120 days from the proposed effective date, or until such time the
Commission enters an Order accepting, rejecting or modifying the request in this matter.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this L/.t-/..
day of October 2006.
, PRESIDENT
Ma J~.MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
~6j
Je~ri D. Jewell
CMunission Secretary
O:A VU-O6-
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 30145