20080416order_no_30528.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
April 16 2008
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF A VISTA CORPORATION FOR 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 NOS. A VU-08-
A VU-08-
ORDER NO. 30528
On April 3 , 2008, Avista Corporation dba Avista Utilities (Avista; 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 in Idaho by averages of 15.
and 5., respectively. If approved, the Company revenues for electric base retail rates would
increase by $32.3 million annually; Company revenues for natural gas service would increase by
$4.7 million annually. The Company requests an effective date of May 5, 2008 for its proposed
electric/gas rate increase.
After reviewing the Application in Case Nos. A VU-08-01 and A VU-08-, 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 May 5
2008.
The Commission will be unable to consider the Application before the proposed
effective date of May 5, 2008 , 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
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
Avista Utilities and its Application in Case Nos. A VU-08-01 and A VU-08-0 1 pursuant to
Idaho Code, Title 61 , and the Commission s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
ORDER NO. 30528
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 of May 5, 2008.
It is necessary to suspend the proposed rates for a period of thirty (30) days plus five
(5) months from May 5 , 2008 , to allow the Commission sufficient time to hear the evidence to be
presented in this matter and to consider and determine the issues presented in this 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-08-01 and A VU-08-01 should be, and hereby are, suspended
for a period of thirty (30) days plus five (5) months from May 5, 2008, 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
j(pTJ..
day of April 2008.
~~ENT
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
~;e
Commission Secretary
bls/O:A VU-O8-0l A VU-08-01 sw
ORDER NO. 30528