HomeMy WebLinkAbout20170914Christie Direct.pdfON BETIATF OE AVISTA CORPORATION
DAV]D J. MEYER
V]CE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF COUNSEL FOR
REGULATORY & GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
P.O. BOX 3727
1477 EAST MISSION AVENUE
SPOKANE, WASHTNGTON 99220-3121
TELEPHONE: (509) 495-4316
EACSIMTLE: (509) 495-8851
DAV] D. MEYERGAVISTACORP . COM
ION BETIAI,E OE HYDRO ONE I,IMITED
ELIZABETH THOMAS, PARTNER
KARI VANDER STOEP, PARTNER
K&L GATES LLP
925 FOURTH AVENUE, SUfTE 2900
SEATTLE, WA 981014-1158
TELEPHoNE: (206) 623-1580
FACSIMILE: (206) 370-6190
LIZ . THOMASGKLGATES. COM
KARI . VANDERSTOE P GKLGATES . COM
r\)
L1 l
BEEORE THE IDAHO PT'BLIC UTII,ITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OE THE JOINT
APPLTCAT]ON OF HYDRO ONE LIMITED
(ACT]NG THROUGH ITS ]NDIRECT
SUBSIDIARY, OLYMPUS EQUITY LLC)
AND
AVTSTA CORPORATION
FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZ]NG PROPOSED
TRANSACTION
CASE NO
CASE NO
AVU-E-17-lI9
AVU-G- 71 - o5
DIRECT TESTIMONY
OF
KEVIN J. CHRIST]E
EOR AVISTA CORPORATION
(ELECTRIC AND NATURAL GAS)
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I. INTRODUCTION
9. Please state your name, employer and business
address.
A. My name is Kevin Christie and I am employed as the
Vice President of Customer Solutions for Avista Utilities, at
1477 East Mission Avenue, Spokane, Washington.
a. I[ould you briefly describe your educational.
background and professional experience?
A. Yes. I graduated from Washington State University
10 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with an
11 accounting emphasis. I have also attended the University of
12 Idaho Utility Executive Course and the Finance for Senior
13 Executives program at Harvard Business School.
74 I joined the Company in 2005 as the Manager of Natural Gas
15 Planning. In 2001, f was appointed the Director of Gas Supply,
16 then in 2012 I was appointed as the Senior Director of Finance.
1-1 In 201-4 I was appointed to Senior Director of Customer Solutions
18 and i-n 2015 I was appointed to my current position of Vice
19 President of Customer Sol-utions.
20 Prior to joining Avista, f was employed by Gas Transmission
27 Northwest (GTN). I was employed by GTN from 200L to 2005 and
22 was the Director of Pipeline Marketing and Development from
23 2003 Lo 2005 and the Director of Pricing and Business Analysis
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from 2007 to 2003. From 2000 to 200L, f was employed by PG&E
Corporation (PG&E) as the Manager of Finance and Assistant to
the SVP, Treasurer and CFO. Before joini-ng PG&E, I was employed
by Pacific Gas Transmission Company (PGT) from 1994 to 2000.
WhiIe at
Pricing
Affairs.
a.
A.
Solutions organization,
programs, and what we are
expectations. f wiIl also
Applicants") as part of the
the Proposed Transaction.
Transaction wilf provlde
PGT, I held several positions including Manager,
and Business Analysis and, Director of Regulatory
Ilhat is the scope of your
I wiII provide an overview
testimony?
of the Company's Customer
by Avista and Hydro One (hereafter jointly referred to as "Joint
our Customer Service and support
doing to meet our evolving customer
explain certaj-n commitments proposed
companies' request for approvaf of
the
wiII explain why this Proposed
opportunity to preserve and
in that regard Hydro One stands
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enhance customer service,' and
behind Avista to maintain and improve customer service.
A table of the contents for my testimony is as foflows:
Description Page
Introduction
Overview of Avista's Customer Sol-utions
Operations
Customer Service and Support Programs
Joint Applicants' Commitments
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Avista Corporation
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II. O\IERVIEW OE AVISTA'S CUSTOMER SOLUTIONS OPERATIONS
A. Before discussing the specifics of the Proposed
Transaction, and how the Transaction will affect Avista, please
provide a brief overview of Avista's current Customer Solutions
operations.
A. Avista's Customer Solutions organization is comprised
of customer-facing departments - i.e., those that work dj-rectly
with our customers. Our organi-zatj-on supports the Company's
378,000 electric and 3421000 natural gas customers (as of June
30, 2071 ) of which, L29,000 and 81,000 respectively, were Idaho
customers. Our team j-s committed to anticipating, developing,
and impJ-ementing innovative and engaging solutions that meet
our customers' needs and expectations. In additionr we are
continually monitoring trends in the utility industry in order
to be proactive in providing our customers with solutions they
may be interested in. Lastly, we have renewed and enhanced our
emphasis in creating a feedback loop with our customers. For
example, we have been testing self-service technology with
customers, have used a socia1 media panel for testing ideas, as
well as surveying customers on programs they have participated
in, 1i-ke our smal-1 business energy efficiency program.
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A. Please provide an overview of the departments within
the Customer Solutions organization that interact with Avista's
customers.
A. The following are the primary departments that
interact with our customers:
Customer Service: The Customer Service department is the
primary interface between the Company and its customers,
including areas such as meter reading, billi-ng, and the
caII center.
Comunity Outreach and Energy Assistance: The Community
Outreach and Energy Assistance department is responsible
for delivering and administering energy assistance
programs that reduce the energy burden for our low income
and vufnerabl-e customers. In addition, the department is
responsible for offering energy conservation and education
to low-income customers.
Energ'y Efficiency: The Energy Efficiency department is
responsible for delivering the Company's electric and
naturaf gas energy efficiency programs. Its primary goal
is to meet or exceed the annual kV[h and therm savings goals
j-n both the Company's Idaho and Washington jurisdictions.
Our natural gas energy efficiency programs in Oregon are
delivered by the Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO). In addj-tion
to delivering programs to reach the Company's savi-ngs
goa1s, the Energy Efficiency department also provides
tools and education to help customers control their energy
costs and reduce their energy "footprint."
External Cormunications: The External Communications
department is responsible for customer communications and
for the Company's externaf facing technol-ogies, which
include the Company's website and mobile applications.
Products and Services: The Products and Services
department is responsible for defivering new products and
services that our customers desire. Through engagement
and customer research, the department is focused on
delivering solutions that meet our customers' evolving
needs and expectations.
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AII of these departments and the rol-es they serve wilI
remain in place following
Transactions and, as I will
the closing of
explain later in
the Proposed
my testimony,
Avista will
serve our
following the closing of the Proposed Transaction
have increased opportunities and resources to
customers and our Iocal- communities.
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III. CUSTOMER SERVICE & SUPPORT PROGRJAI{S
A. Please describe Avista's Customer Service department.
A. Avj-sta's Customer Service department is the primary
interface between the Company and its customers and incl-udes
Meter Reading, BilIing, Credit and Collections, and the Call-
Center. In 20L6, the CaIl Center answered 126,644 calls and
fielded 66,724 email-s and electronic communications from
customers across the Company's three jurisdictions: Idaho,
Washington, and Oregon.l
Avista has service centers located in Coeur d'A1ene,
Idaho; Lewi-ston, Idaho and Spokane, Washington that are
networked together to operate as a single CalI Center supporting
Avj-sta's customers. Each employee is trained in their role to
1 The Cal-I Center and many of our other customer support programs afso serve
our approximately 3O retail electric customers i-n Western Montana. Avista's
electric service in Juneau, Alaska, through Alaska El-ectric Llqht and Power
Company (AEL&P) , operates independently of Avista Utilities. Customer
servlce is provided by AEL&P employees ln Juneau, Afaska.
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1 work with customer accounts or take phone calls from customers
2 tn all three of the Company's ;urisdictions. A11 customer phone
3 calls come in through a single number, 7-800-227-9781 | and are
4 answered by the next available representative, regardless of
5 where the customer is located.
6 Our Voice of the Customer (VOC) results for the first
7 quarter in 2011 show that 95% of our customers in our ldaho,
B Washington and Oregon operating divisions that had contact wj-th
9 Avista's CalI Center were satisfied or very satisfied with the
10 service they received.
11 A. Ifltrat customer support programs does Avista provide
72 for its customers in ldaho?
13 A. Avista offers a number of programs for its Idaho
14 customers, such as Project Share for emergency assistance to
15 customers, a Customer Assistance Referral- and Evafuation
16 Service (CARES) program, senior programs, leve1 pay p1ans, and
11 payment arrangements. Through these programs, the Company
18 works to ease the burden of energy costs for customers that
19 have the greatest need.
20 To assist our customers in their abiJ-ity to payr the
j-n four primary areas:27 Company focuses on actions and programs
ZZ 1) low income and senior outreach programs; 2) energy effj-ciency
and energy conservation education,' and 3) support of community
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programs that increase customers' abili-ty to pay basic costs of
livi-ng.
A. Please briefly describe Project Share.
A. Project Share is a community-funded program Avista
sponsors to provide
and/or individuals
one-time emergency support to families
where Avista provides service. Avista
customers and shareholders help support the fund with voluntary
contributions that are distr j-buted through l-ocal community
customers in need. Grants are availabl-e toaction agencies
those in need,
recipients are
gas customers.
A. Iflhat other tools does the Conrpany offer to assist
74 customers in managing their biJ.ls?
15 A. B j-1I assistance is avail-able through LIHEAP, and
Project Share, the Company offers many billing options to make
it easier for customers to manage thej-r bilIs. Choices
available to customers include Comfort Level- Bil1ing2, flexible
payment plans or arrangements, and preferred due dates. One of
the goals of our Customer Service department is to provide tools
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2 Comfort Level- Bl11ing (CLB) is a "payment p1an" designed to average the
bil-l-s over 72 months. It leve1s out the seasonal highs and l-ows to one levef
payment all year. It is based on the previous 12 months of billed usage.
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Avista Corporation
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1 and options to customers to help them manage their bill-s before
2 they face a financial- hardship or crisis.
3 By accessing their account onl-ine, customers can util-ize
4 our BilI Anal-yzer tool-, which helps them compare their usage to
5 prior months or years, ds wel-l as understand the key driving
6 factors in any usage increases, such as weather, billing days,
7 rate changes, and increased or decreased usage. Customers can
B also access our Home Energy Analyzer too1, and complete a survey
9 about their speci-fic usage to help fine tune suggestions for
10 energy savi-ngs and management.
11 A. Please sunna.rize Avista's Customer Assistance
72 Referal and Evaluation Services (CARES) program.
13 A. fn ldaho, Avista j-s currently working with 125
14 special needs customers and 55 life-support customers in the
15 CARES program. Specially-trained representatives provj-de
L6 referrals to area agencies and churches for customers with
71 special needs for help with housing, utilities, medical
18 assistance, etc. One of the benefits we have in utilizing CARES
19 representatives is the ability to evaluate each customer, based
20 on their specific need, and to educate them on what assistance
27 is availabl-e within the community. A goal of the program is to
22 enabl-e customers to manage not only their Avista bill, but other
23 bills and needs as well-.
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A. Does the Coryany perfo::m any other outreach to itE
customers?
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A. Yes. The following are examples of outreach programs
that are availab]e to customers:
1. Senior and Low-Income Outreach: Avista has developed
specific outreach efforts to reach our more vulnerabl-e
fixed and low-income customers (with special- emphasis
on seniors and disabled customers) with bill payment
assistance and energy efficiency information that
emphasizes comfort and safety. Avista accomplishes this
outreach mainly through Energy Vrlorkshops . During 2016,
22 workshops were conducted reaching nearly 679 seniors
and low-income individuals. AI1 workshop participants
were given Home Energy Efficiency kits along with tips
for low-cost/no-cost ways to manage energy use. Each
kit conlains energy-saving j-tems such as LED Iight
bulbs, pJ-asti-c window covering, draf t stoppers f or
exterior J-i-qht switches and outlets, v-seal- for drafty
doors and a polar fleece 1ap blanket. The Company al-so
conducts general outreach in partnership with
organizations that are in contact with vulnerable
individuals through resource fai-rs or in-home services.
General outreach partnerships reached 5,563 individuals
through 31 activities. Through all of these venues,
individual-s are provided with information to
effectively manage their home energy use and the
Company's biII assistance programs.
2. Senior Pr:blications: Avista has created a one-page
advertj-sement that has been placed in senior resource
directories and targeted senior publications to reach
seniors with information about biIl payment options,
Avista CARES and energy assistance.
Energy Fairs: In 2016, Avista hosted one energy fair
in Cottonwood, Idaho which reached 45 customers. These
outreach events provide information and demonstrations
on energy assistance, energy efficiency and home
weatherization to Iimited income families and senior
citj-zens as well as provided an environment for
customers Lo learn about bill payment options and energy
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assistance, while offering them tips and toofs to use
to heJ-p manage their I j-mited f inancial resources.
IV. JOINT APPLICA}ITS' COMMITMENTS
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9. Have Avista and Hydro One offered cormnitments, as
part of their request for approval of the Proposed Transaction,
to ensure that Avista's customer service and customer support
is preserved and improved folJ.owing the closing' of the
transaction?
A. Yes. As I have explained in my testimony above, Avista
L2 has in place many programs and services designed to provide a
13 hiqh level of customer service, customer satisfaction, and
t4 support for our customers. Avista and Hydro One are offering a
15 number of commitments to ensure that Avista's customer service,
76 reliability, and other aspects of the way Avista currently does
71 business, is preserved and enhanced following the closing of
1B the transaction.
f am sponsoring Commitment
Presence/Community Involvement
(Environmental, Renewable Energy,
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20 Commitments ) ,
27 and Energy
22 Commitments), and 53-55 (Community and Low-fncome
Commitments).23
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Nos. 9-15 (Local
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Efficiency
Assistance
1 Irocal Presence Comnruni fnvolvement
A. Eor Cormnitment No. 9 , \\Avista' s Headquarters" , what
have the iloint Applicants cornrritted to as a part of this
transaction?
A. Through Commitment No. 9, which is governed by the
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Delegation of
Avista wilI
Authority in Exhibit B to the Merger
maintain (a) its headquarters in
Agreement,
Spokane,
its otherWashington; (b) Avista's office focations in each of
service territories; and (c) no less
10 in the immediate focation of each of
of a significant presence
such office Iocations than
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what Avista and its subsidiaries maintained immediately prior
to completion of the Proposed Transaction.
A. Eor Cormritment No. 10 , "Local. Staff ing", what have
the iloint Applicants conmitted to as a part of this transaction?
A. Through Commitment No. 10, which is governed by the
Delegation of Authorj-ty in the Merger Agreement, Avista wiII
maintain j-ts staffing and presence in the communities in which
Avista operates at l-evel-s sufficient to maintain the provisi-on
of safe and reliable service and cost-effective operations and
consistent with pre-acquisition levefs.
9. Eor Conunitment No. LL, "Conmunity Contributions",
what have the iloint Applicants cornmitted to as a part of this
transaction?
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A. Through Commitment No. 71, which is governed by the
Delegation of Authority in the Merger Agreement, Avi-sta wilI
maintain a $4,000,000 annual budget for charitab]e
contributions (funded by both Avista and the Avista
Foundation) . This is an increase from Avj-sta's average annual
contributions in recent years of approximately $2.5 million per
year. In addition, a $2.0 million annual contribution wiII be
made to the Avista Foundation.3 The Avj-sta Eoundation provides
funding to non-profit organizations addressing the needs of
communities and citizens served by Avista and AEL&P. The Avista
Eoundation also includes a matching gifts program for employees
of Avista and AEL&P.
A. Eor Comitment No. L2, \\Comnunity Involvement", what
have the iloint Applicants conmritted to as a part of this
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15 transaction?
76 A. Through Commitment No. 72, which is governed by the
I'7 Delegation of Authority in the Merger Agreement, Avista will-
1B maintain at feast Avista's existing fevefs of community
involvement and support initiatives in its service territories.19
3 The Avista Foundation was formed by Avista Corporation exclusi-vely for
charitabfe, educational and scientific purposes within the meaning of
Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internaf Revenue Code of 7986. The Avista
Foundation i-s overseen by an independent Board of Di-rectors which manages
the affairs, property and interests of the Foundation.
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A. Eor Coruaiturent No . L3 , "Economic Development', , what
have the Joint Applicants conmritted to as a part of this
transaction?
A. Through Commitment No. 13, which is governed by the
Delegation of Authority in the Merger Agreement, Avista will
maintain at least Avista's existing levels of economic
development, including the ability of Avista to spend
operations and maintenance fundsa to support regional economj-c
development and related strategic opportunities in a manner
consistent with Avista's past practices.
9. Eor Corunitment No. L4 , \\Membership Organizations,,,
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72 what have the iloint Applicants conmritted to as a part of this
13 transaction?
74 A. Through Commitment No. 14, which is governed by the
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Delegation of
maintain the
Authority in the
dues paid by it to
and membership organizations.
accounted for consi-stent with
current Regulatory Accounting
Merger Agreement,
various industry
Avista wi-II
trade
These costs will- continue
groups
to be
past practice. Under Avista's
Guidelines, a portion of these
20 dues are included in retail rates, and the remainder is recorded
27 "befow-the-1ine" to a nonoperating account.
a Operati-ons and maintenance funds dedicated to economic development and
non-utility strategj-c opportunities wil-l- be recorded "be1ow-the-fine" to a
nonoperating account.
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1 Q. Eor Cormitrnent No. 15, '\Safety and Reliabi1ity
2 Standards and Service Quality Measures", what have the iloint
3 Applicants comitted to as a part of this transaction?
4 A. Through Commitment No. 15, which is governed by the
5 Defegation of Authority j-n the Merger Agreement, Avista will-
5 maintain Avista's safety and reliability standards and policies
7 and service quality measures in a manner that is substantially
B comparable to, or better than, those currently mai-ntai-ned.
9 Q. I[hat do these and other connnitnents suggest by way of
10 Avista's Local Presence and Conrnunity Involvement following the
11 closing of the Proposed Transaction?
72 A. Following the closing, the communities Avista serves
13 wilI see increased charitable contributions and a continuation
74 of the strong support Avista provides in economic development
15 and innovation, which will result in benefits to the customers
16 and the communities Avista serves. They will see fittte or no
11 change in the day to day operations of Avista, as compared to
1B Avista's operations prior to the transaction.
19 The Company wiII continue to operate under the same Avista
20 name. Provisions of the Merger Agreement are designed to ensure
2l that Avista's cufture and its way of doing business wiII
22 continue for the long-term.
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1 Environmental,Renewable Energy, and Energf, Efficiency
2 Q. Eor Comritment No. 47 , "Renewable Portfolio Standard
3 Requirements", what have the iloint Applicants conrrritted to as
4 a part of this transaction?
5 A. Hydro One acknowJ-edges Avista's obligations under
6 applicable renewabl-e portfolio standards, and Avista witl
7 continue to comply with such obligations.
8 Q. Eor Conunitment No. 48, \rRenewabJ.e Energ.y Resourcesr,,
9 what have the iloint Applicants cornmitted to as a part of this
10 transaction?
11 A. Avista wiII acquire all renewable energy resources
72 required by law and such other renewabl-e energy resources as
13 may from time to time be deemed advj-sabl-e in accordance with
14 Avista's integrated resource planning process and applicable
15 regulations.
16 A. For Conunitnnent No. 49, "Greenhouse Gas and Carbon
71 Initiative", what have the iloint Applicants corrmitted to as a
18 part of this transaction?
1,9 A. Hydro One acknowledges Avista's Greenhouse Gas and
20 Carbon Initiatives contained in its current Integrated Resource
2l P1an, and Avista wil-I continue to work with interested parties
22 on such initi-atives.
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a.
Report",
of this
A Avista will report greenhouse gas emissions as
Avista began reporting greenhouse gas inventories torequired.
the Oregon Department of Ecology and the Envj-ronmental-
Protection Agency in 201I, and the Vflashington Department of
Ecology in 2072. Avista will continue to submit data for these
inventories. Greenhouse gas emj-ssions have and will continue to
Por Corrnitment No. 50, \lGreen House Gas Inventory
what have the iloint Applicants cormnitted to as a part
transaction?
10 al-so be reported to customers through the annual Shared Value
11 Report.
12 A. Eor Comitment No. 51, \rEfficiency Goal.s and
13 Objectives", what have the iloint Applicants conmritted to as a
74 part of this transaction?
15 A. Hydro One acknowledges Avj-sta's energy efficiency
76 goals and ob;ectives set forth in Avista's 2071 Integrated
11 Resource Plan and other p1ans, and Avista will continue its
18 ongoing collaborative efforts to expand and enhance them.
79 Avista has continuously offered energy efficj-ency services
20 since 7918. This is the twenty-third year of the Demand Side
21 Management (DSM) tariff rider, a distribution charge to fund
22 DSM that is now replicated in many other states. The Company's
23 programs are based on providing a financial incentive r or
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"rebate, " for
payback l-ess
300 measures
customer convenience.
across a fulI customer
cost-effective efficiency measures
than fifteen years. This incl-udes
that are packaged into about 30
The Company's programs
spectrum. VirtualIy aI1
with a simple
approximately
programs for
are delivered
customers have
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had the opportunity to participate and many have directly
benefited from the program offerings. A11 customers have
benefited through enhanced resource cost-efficj-encies as a
result of this portfolio approach.
A. Por Cornraitment No. 52 , \\Optional RenewabJ.e Power
Rate", what have the Joint Applicants conmitted to as a part of
this transaction?
A. Avista will continue to offer renewable power
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14 programs in consuftation with stakeholders. Customers may apply
15 for interconnection with the Company and receive certification
16 of their renewabfe energy system through a Program
71 Administrator.s Upon approval of completion of instal-Iation of
18 a qualifying renewable energy system and meeting
19 interconnection standards, the customer's generation wifl be
20 interconnected and measured by the Company. Generation
2l incentive payments are based on a fiscal year of July 1st of one
s The Company's Program Administrator is the Washington State University
Extension Energy Program.
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year through June 3Oth of the foll-owing year. Incentive payments
are made to eligi-bJ-e customers, as determined by the Program
Administrator.
Comunity and Low-Income Assistance Comitrnents
A. For Cornmitment No. 53, \\Comunity Contributions,',
what have the iloint Applieants cormitted to as a part of this
transaction?
A. A one-time $7,000,000 initial contribution to
Avista's charitabl-e foundation (Avista Foundation) wil-l- be made
at or promptly following closing. This represents a significant
increase to the Foundation. This contribution will- i-ncrease
the balance from the current Ievel of approximately $9.2 million
to $16.2 mil1ion. In addition, as indicated earlj-er, following
the closing of the Proposed Transaction, there will- be a $2.0
mil-l-ion annual- contribution to the Avista Foundation. As I
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explained earlier,
investment program
the Avista Foundation
of Avista, which
rs a communi-ty
funding to non-
communiti-es and
provides
needs ofprofit organizations addressing the
citizens served by Avista.
9. For Cornmitment No. 54, \\Low-Income Energy Efficiency
Funding'", what have the iloint AppJ-icants connnitted to as a part
of this transaction?
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A. Avista will continue to work with its advisory groups
on the appropriate l-eveI of funding for low income energy
efficiency programs.
A. Eor Corsnitment No. 55, "Addressing Other Low-Income
Customer Issues", what have the .foint Applicants cormitted to
as a part of this transaction?
A. Avista wilI continue to work wj-th 1ow-income agenci-es
to address other issues of low-income customers.
A. P1ease briefly su.runarize why this merger is a good
to thething for Avista customers, particularly
conunitments you have sponsored.
A. The proposed merger is designed
with reg'ard
f olIowi-ng
operations
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I2 such that
13 the closing there wi-l-I be little to no change in the
74 of Avista, and customers will see benefits that otherwise would
15 not occur. The transaction is not designed to target the
76 el-imination of ;obs, or cost cutting that may Iead to a
L1 deterioration of customer service, customer satisfaction,
1B safety, reliability, or a deterioration of charitable giving,
19 economic development or innovation in the communities Avista
20 serves. As discussed by Avista Witnesses Mr. Thies and Mr.
27 Ehrbar, Avista and Hydro One
22 Avista's retail electric and
are proposing to flow through to
natural gas customers in Idaho,
$31. s23 Washington and Oregon a financial benefit of at least
Christie, Di L9
Avista Corporation
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mil-lion over a 10-year period, beginning at the time of the
merger
Morris,
closing. Moreover, as discussed by Avista Viitness Mr
customers wiIl see additional benefits over time
associated with scale and coll-aboration, whil-e avoiding the
risk of a potential subsequent acquisition by another party
that may not share Avista's culture and values. The communities
Avista serves wil-1 see increased charitable contributions and
a continuation of the strong support Avista provides in economic
development and innovation. Avista and Hydro One employees
will see increased opportunities as the two companies pursue
efficiencies and innovation through the sharing of technology,
best practices and business processes.
A. Does this conclude your pre-filed direct testirnony?
A. Yes.
Christie, Di 20
Avista Corporation
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