HomeMy WebLinkAbout20110415Decision Memo.pdfDECISION MEMORANDUM 1
DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO: COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER REDFORD
COMMISSIONER SMITH
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
FROM: KRISTINE SASSER
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE: APRIL 8, 2011
SUBJECT: PETITION OF AVISTA TO PERMANENTLY AMEND ITS IRP FILING
DATE, CASE NO. AVU-G-11-02
On March 24, 2011, Avista 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 31 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/review/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 IRP 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.
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2
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.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Commission grant Avista’s request to modify its natural gas
IRP filing from December 31 in odd-numbered years to August 31 in even-numbered years
without further procedure.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to grant Avista’s request to permanently modify the
filing of the Company’s natural gas IRP from December 31 in odd-numbered years to August 31
in even-numbered years beginning with the December 2011 filing without further procedure?
M:AVU-G-11-02_ks