20090211order_no_30728.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
February 11 2009
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-09-
A VU-09-
ORDER NO. 30728
On January 23 , 2009, 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
12.8% and 3., respectively. As part of the filing, the Company also proposes to decrease the
current tariff Schedule 66 Power Cost Adjustment (PCA)! surcharge by $12.3 million, or 5%, for
an overall net electric rate increase of 7.8%. If approved, the Company revenues for electric
base retail rates would increase by $31.2 million annually; Company revenues for natural gas
service would increase by $2.7 million annually. The Company requests an effective date of
February 23, 2009 for its proposed electric/gas rate increase.
After reviewing the Application in Case Nos. A VU-09-01 and A VU-09-, 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 February
2009.
The Commission will be unable to consider the Application before the proposed
effective date of February 23 , 2009, 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.
1 The Company s PCA mechanism is used to track changes in revenues and costs associated with variations in
hydroelectric generation, secondary prices, thermal fuel costs, and changes in power contract revenues and
expenses.
ORDER NO. 30728
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-09-01 and A VU-09-0 1 pursuant to
Idaho Code, Title 61 , and the Commission s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
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 February 23, 2009.
It is necessary to suspend the proposed rates for a period of thirty (30) days plus five
(5) months from February 23 , 2009, 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-09-01 and A VU-09-0l should be, and hereby are, suspended
for a period of thirty (30) days plus five (5) months from February 23 , 2009 , or until such time as
the Commission enters an Order accepting, rejecting or modifying the Application in this matter.
ORDER NO. 30728
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this II
ft..
day of February 2009.
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
bls/O:A VU-09-01 A VU-09-01 sw
ORDER NO. 30728