20110426final_order_no_32233.pdf

Office ofthe Secretary
Service Date
April 26,2011
BEFORE TflE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF AVISTA )CORPORATION’S PETITION FOR )CASE NO.AVU-G-11-02
PERMANENT MODIFICATION OF THE )
FILING DATE FOR ITS NATURAL GAS )
INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN.)ORDER NO.32233
________________________________________________________________________________________________
)
On March 24,2011,Avista Corporation filed a Petition with the Commission
requesting authority to permanently change the filing of its natural gas Integrated Resource Plans
(IRP)from December 31 of each odd-numbered year to August 3 1 of each even-numbered year.
Reference Order No.25342,GNR-G-93-02.
Avista states that three areas of significant workflow currently overlap and occur in
the fall of each year:PGA filings,Avista’s procurement planning and IRP
drafting/reviewing/finalizing.These processes place considerable demand on Avista and its
stakeholders.Avista maintains that the IRP filing,in theory,does not have to be performed at
the same time as the PGA filings and procurement planning.Accordingly,Avista is requesting a
permanent shift of IRP dates.Avista contends that this shift has the support of Staff and other
stakeholders who participate in the RP process.
Avista states that it has discussed the shift in natural gas IRP filing dates with
regulatory staff in Idaho,Washington and Oregon,all of whom support the proposal and have
agreed that this would allow for a more thorough and efficient review of the natural gas IRP,
given conflicting priorities.Avista maintains that,ultimately,the quality and thoroughness of
the review process will be enhanced.In addition,the Company agrees to provide a natural gas
demand update to the Commission between the time this request is approved and when the
Company would otherwise make its August 2012 natural gas IRP filing,in order to allay any
concerns about a delay in the filing of the 2012 IRP.
Avista notes that its electric IRP is due on August 31 of each odd-numbered year.A
shift in the natural gas IRP filing date would provide a staggered filing for the Company’s two
IRP’s and avoid any overlap in participation in the two separate plans by the stakeholder groups.
ORDER NO.32233 1
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS
The Commission has jurisdiction over Avista Corporation,an electric and natural gas
utility,and the issues presented in this case pursuant to statutory authority granted under Idaho
Code,Title 61,and the Commission’s Rules of Procedure,IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.The
Commission has reviewed the filings of record and finds that a permanent modification to the
filing date of Avista’s natural gas IRP will improve the overall review process.Specifically,we
find that,given the timing of Avista’s PGA filings and procurement planning,an adjustment to
Avista’s natural gas IRP filing will result in a more thorough and efficient review of its natural
gas resources.In order to account for the filing delay that will occur with a modification of the
Company’s natural gas IRP filing date,the Commission directs the Company to provide a natural
gas demand update to the Commission no later than August 31,2011.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Petition of Avista Corporation for authority to
permanently modify its natural gas IRP filing date from December 31 of each odd-numbered
year to August 31 of each even-numbered year is approved.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Avista provide a natural gas demand update to the
Commission no later than August 31,2011.
THIS IS A FLNAL ORDER.Any person interested in this Order may petition for
reconsideration within twenty-one (21)days of the service date of this Order.Within seven (7)
days after any person has petitioned for reconsideration,any other person may cross-petition for
reconsideration.See Idaho Code §6 1-626.
ORDER NO.32233 2
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this
day of April 2011.
AULK L DER,PRESIDENT
MACK A,REDFOR ,COMMISSIONER
(I k-&
ARSHA H.SMITH,COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
1[!/j
Jean D.Jewell
Cbmmission Secretary
O:AVU-G-l lO2ks
ORDER NO.32233