20180321notice_of_application_order_no_34011.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
March 21,2018
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE JOINT PETITION )CASE NOS.AVU-E-18-02
OF AVISTA CORPORATION,IDAHO )AVU-G-18-01
PUBLIC UTILITIES STAFF,AND )COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP )NOTICE OF APPLICATION
ASSOCIATION OF IDAHO (CAPAI)TO )
INCREASE LOW-INCOME FUNDING )NOTICE OF
UNDER TARIFF SCHEDULES 91 AND 191 )PROPOSED SETTLEMENT
)NOTICE OF MODIFIED
)PROCEDURE
)ORDER NO.34011
On February 20,2018,Avista Corporation,Commission Staff,and Community
Action Partnership Association of Idaho ("the parties")filed a joint petition requesting approval
of a settlement that increases funding to low-income programs.
BACKGROUND
On December 28,2017,the Commission approved a settlement of Avista's general
rate case.See Order No.33953.One provision of the settlement was that "[t]he Company and
interested parties will meet and confer to consider whether the Low Income Weatherization
Program and Energy Conservation Education Program funding should be increased from the
current Commission approved levels..."See Stipulation and Settlement at 15.After extensive
examination into how the low-income funding has been utilized,and conferring with the parties,
an agreement to increase the funding levels was reached.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that Avista is a public utility engaged in the
production,transmission,and distribution of electric power and natural gas to customers in
eastern Washington,northern Idaho,and parts of southern and eastern Oregon.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that CommunityAction Partnership Association
of Idaho (CAPAI)is a non-profit corporation consisting of six community action agencies in
Idaho advocating for issues relating to the causes and conditions of poverty.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held
pursuant to the Commission's jurisdiction under Title 61 of the Idaho Code and specifically
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF PROPOSED SETTLEMENT
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34011 1
Idaho Code §§61-501,61-502,61-507,61-520,61-521,61-523,and 61-622.The Commission
may enter any final Order consistent with its authorityunder Title 61.
NOTICE OF PROPOSED SETTLEMENT
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED parties report that a passive settlement regarding
CAPAI's requested fundingincrease has been reached.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that after conferring on the issue,the parties agree
a funding increase is appropriate.Specifically,they agree that $125,000 of additional funding for
Avista's Low Income Weatherization Program,and $25,000 of additional funding for Avista's
Conservation Education Program in Idaho be approved.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company reported that the increase in
funding"has no effect on the Company's approved revenue requirement,"and that "the funding
will come directlyout of Avista's Energy Efficiency Tariff Rider Schedules 91 and 191.
COMMISSION SETTLEMENT RULES
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission will review the proposed
settlement consistent with Commission Rules 271-280.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission is not bound by the
agreement of the signing parties.The Commission will independently review the proposed
settlement to decide whether to approve it,reject it,or state conditions under which to accept it.
The proposed settlement's proponents ultimatelybear the burden to prove that it is just,fair,and
reasonable,in the public interest,or otherwise in accordance with law or regulatory policy.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application,Settlement,and forthcoming
comments are available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission
offices.The Application is also available on the Commission's web site at www.puc.idaho.gov.
To access the documents,click on the "File Room"tab at the top of the Commission's webpage,
scroll down to "Open Electric Cases,"and then click on the case number as shown on the front
of this document.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has reviewed the filing in
this action,and has preliminarily determined that the public interest may not require a formal
hearing,and will thus proceed under Modified Procedure pursuant to Rules 201 through 204 of
the Idaho Public Utilities Commission's Rules of Procedure,IDAPA 31.01.01.201 through .204.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF PROPOSED SETTLEMENT
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34011 2
The Commission notes that Modified Procedure and written comments have proven to be an
effective means for obtaining public input and participation
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that any person or party desiring to state a
position on this Application may file a written comment in support or opposition with the
Commission no later than April 10,2018.The comment must contain a statement of reasons
supporting the comment.Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their
written comments.Written comments concerning this Application shall be mailed to the
Commission and the Applicant at the addresses reflected below:
Commission Secretary David Meyer
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Avista Corp.
PO Box 83720 1411 E.Mission Ave,MSC 27
Boise,ID 83720-0074 Spokane,WA 99220-3727
email:[e-mail]
Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W.Washington Street
Boise,ID 83702-5918 Brad Purdy
CAPAI
2019 N.17th St
Boise,ID 83702
email:[e-mail]
Comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this
document.Persons desiring to submit comments via e-mail may do so by accessing the
Commission's home page located at www.puc.idaho.gov.Click the "Case Comment or Question
Form"under the "Consumers"tab,and complete the comment form using the case number as it
appears on the front of this document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are
received within the time limit set,the Commission will consider this matter on its merits and
enter its Order without a formal hearing.If written comments are received within the time limit
set,the Commission will consider them and,in its discretion,may set the same for formal
hearing.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF PROPOSED SETTLEMENT
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34011 3
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the parties'Application to approve the Settlement
shall be processed by Modified Procedure,Rule 201-204 (IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204).
IT IS FURTHER ORDER that all persons and parties interested in submitting written
comments must do so on or before April 10,2018.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this
day of March 2018.
PAIÍL KJELL hER RESI EÑT
KRISTlÑERAPER,26ÎVlM SIONER
ERIC ANDERSON,COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
Diane M.HanÍan ''
Commission Secretary
1:\Legal\LORDERS\AVUEISO2_AVUGl801bkLdoc
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF PROPOSED SETTLEMENT
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34011 4