20180919Application.pdf

Avista Corp.
141 1 East Mission P.O.Box 3727
Spokane, Washington 99220 -0500
Telephone [phone]
Toll Free 800-727-9170
September 18,2018
Diane Hanian, Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
Statehouse Mail
W. 472 Washington Street
Boise,Idaho 83720
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Re: Avista Corporation Tariff Schedule 170 Revision -Natural Gas Rules and Regulations
Dear Ms. Hanian:
Enclosed for filing with the Commission is an original and seven (7) copies of Avista
Corporation's dba Avista Utilities ("Avista or the Company") request for approval of proposed
revisions to its natural gas tariffs in compliance with Order No. 33953 in Case Nos. AVU-E-17-01
and AVU-G-17-02.
If you have any questions regarding this filing, please contact Jaime Majure at [phone]
or i aime.maj ure@.avistacorp.com.
Sincerely
Senior Manager, Regulatory Policy
Avista Utilities
509-495-4975
linda. [e-mail]
Enclosure
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DAVID J. MEYER
VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF COUNSEL EOR
REGULATORY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
AVISTA CORPORAT]ON
74II E. MISSION AVENUE
P.O. BOX 3127
SPoKANE, WASHTNGTON 99220
PHONE: [phone]
David. meyerGavistacorp . com
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF
AVISTA CORPORATION EOR AN ORDER
AUTHOR]ZING APPROVAL OF PROPOSED
REVISIONS TO ITS NATURAL GAS
TARTFES
I. INTRODUCTION
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BEFORE THE IDATIO PT'BLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
CASE NO. AVU_G_18-07
APPLICATION OE
AVISTA CORPORAT]ON
22 In accordance with Idaho Code 561-502 and RP 052, Avista
23 Corporation, doing business as Avista Utilities (hereinafter
24 "Avista" or "Company"), at L41l. East Mj-ssion Avenue,
25 Spokane, Washington, respectfully makes application to the
26 rdaho Public Utilities Commission ('rPUC" or the
27 "Commission") for an Order authorizing the approval of
28 proposed revlsions to natural- gas tariff Schedule L70,
29 "Rules and Regulations" ("Gas Service Ru1es"), to
30 incorporate additiona1 regulations to the Commission's
Application of Avj-sta Corporation
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I Service Rul-es for Gas Utilities (IDAPA 31.31.01), effective
2 November 7, 201,8 .
The Company requests that this filing be processed
under the Commission's Modified Procedure rules.
Communications i-n reference to this Application
should be addressed to:
David J. Meyer, Esq.
Vi-ce President and Chief Counsel for
Regulatory & Governmental- Affairs
Avista Corporation
P.O. Box 3727
tvlsc-27
747! E. Mission Ave
Spokane, WA 99220-3721
Phone: [phone]
David. MeyerGavistacorp . com
Linda M. Gervais
Senior Manager, Regulatory PolicyAvista Utili-ties
P.O. Box 3727
MSC-27
1411 E. Mission Ave
Spokane, WA 99220-3721
Phone: [phone]
Linda . Gervais Gavi staco
II. SUM!,IARY OF APPLICATION
Avista requests approval of the following revisions to
the Company's natural gas Tariff I.P.U.C No.21.
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Application of Avista Corporation
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Tariff I.P.U.C No. 27
First Revision Sheet 170-K canceling Original Sheet 170-K
Original Sheet 170-L
Original Sheet 170-M
Original Sheet 170-N
III. BACKGROUIID
In July 2008, Avista submj-tted an inquiry to IPUC Staff
regarding an apparent conflict between two of its Commission
10 rules. The issue was brought to the Company's attention
11 when a Post Fal-Is City building official had asked Avista
12 about the utility's procedures for inspecting a customer's
13 instal-l-ation of a natural gas appliance. More specifically,
14 the City official was referring to the Commission's Gas
l5 Service Rule L02, IDAPA 31. 31. 01. 102. Thls rul-e states j-n
pertinent part:
The gas corporation shalL inspect the customer's
instaLlation Iof a gas appTiance] before the connection
of a meter to ascertain that the instaTlation conforms
to the provjsjons contained in the Nationaf Fuel- Gas
Code and the Uniform MechanicaT Code,as adopted by the
Commission. (Gas RuLe 702, IDAPA 31.31.07.102 (1993)
(enphasis added) )
The apparent confl-ict arises with Subsection .02 of the
Commission's Safety Rul-es 202 and 203, f DAPA 31. 11. 01 .202.02
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Application of Avista Corporation
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and 203.02, which were most recently amended in 2008. These
two rul-es are nearly identical- and read in pertinent part:
02. Utility Conpliance. All gas corporations subject to
the jurisdiction of this Commission are required to
abide by applicable provisions of the International
Mechanical- Code Ior Internationa]- FueL Gas Codel and to
connect for service and Tiqht onTy those instaTTations
that:
a. Have been inspected and approved by authorized
agencies; or
b. hlhen inspecting agencies do not exrst, to require
their customers to abide by applicabTe provisions of
the International MechanicaJ- Code [or Fue]- Gas Codel as
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l8 Safety Rule 202 adopts the fnternatlonal Fuel Gas Code
19 of 2006 and Safety Rule 203 adopts the lnternational
20 Mechanical- Code of 2006. The fnternational Codes are updated
2t and published every three years by the International Code
Council-.
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Application of Avista Corporation
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After Staff's investigation and Commission review of
the rules in question, it was found that Gas Service RuIe
702 was incompatibl-e with the Commission's Safety Rules
202.02 and 203.02. In particuJ-ar, the safety codes
referenced in Gas Rule L02 had been superseded and the Rule
itself compelled utilities to perform actions that were no
J-onger required under the International Codes adopted by
Idaho Legislature in Idaho Code S54-5001. Therefore, on
August 19, 2018, the Commission suspended Gas Service Rul-e
102, IDAPA 31.31.01.L02, in Order No. 30625 of Case No. GNR-
G-08-01. In this Order, the Commission also required that
Commission Staff undertake an informal review of its Gas
Servi-ce Rules with gas utilities and other interested
parties.
After collaborative discussions with Commission Staff
and other naturaf gas utilities, Avista provided Staff with
proposed changes to IDAPA 31.31.01 in November 2016, to
revisions consistent with current best practicesincorporate
implemented
respective
discussion
in both Avista and fntermountain Gas Company's
Gas Meter Test programs.Further work and
surrounding this issue, however, led to a
consensus that the integration of these revisions into each
individual Company's tariffs woul-d prove more beneficial in
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Application of Avista Corporati-on
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addressing the Gas Service Rules and also al-low the
Commission to propose to repeal the entire rule set in the
future. As such, the matter of incorporating pertinent
provi-sions from IDAPA 31.31.01 into Avista's tariffs was
addressed in the Company's 2011 general rate case1.
On December 28, 201,7, the Commission issued Order No.
33953 in Avista's general rate case, approving the
Settl-ement Stipulation ("Sett1ement") filed by the Parties2
and requiring the Company to make additional compliance
The Company and inLerested parties wiTL meet and confer
to review the Commission's Service Ru-Zes for Gas
Utilities (IDAPA 31-.31.01) to determine which
provisions shouLd be retained and/or modified, and, if
the participants agree, incorporate those changes into
the Company's tariff. Any changes requiring Commission
approvaT, e.9., tariff revisions, wifl- be submitted by
the Company on or before JuJy 1, 2078. (StipuLation and
Settl-ement Para. 19)
In compJ-iance with this Order, Avista drafted revisions
to its Schedule \10 Gas Service Rules to reflect applicable
1 case Nos. AVU_E_I1_01/AVU_G_]-7_02
2 Stipulation "Parties" include Avista, IPUC Commission Staff, Clearwater
Paper Corporation, Idaho Forest Group, LLC, and the Community Action
Partnership Association of fdaho (*CAPAI").
l0 filings to meet the terms and conditions of the Settl-ement.
11 With respect to Avista's Gas Service Rules, the Parties
12 agreed that:
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requirements found in IDAPA 31.31.01. These draft Rules were
subsequently shared with Commission Staff, and a conference
call was held on June 13, 2078 between the Company and Staff
f or a col-l-aborative review of these Rules. On June 25, 2018 ,
Avista filed a Motion for Procedural- Rel-ief under Rule 256,
requesting to extend the filing deadline from July l, 2078
to October L, 2078 to all-ow sufficient time to complete the
work on the proposed Rul-es. With no parties in this case
objectj-ng to the motion, the Commission granted the request
for extension on JuJ-y 3, 20LB in Order No. 34102. An
additional conference call was held between Commission Staff
and Avista on July 28, 2018, and final- consensus between
Commission Staff and Avista regarding the Gas Service Rules
was reached on September 10, 201,8.
v. coNclusroN
The purpose of this filing is to revise Avista's
Gas Service Rules to incorporate pertinent provisions of
the Commi-ssion' s Service Rules for Gas Util-ities (IDAPA
31.31.01), including rules for meter testing and accuracy
as well as maintaining system maps and records. Moving
these relevant requirements into the Company's tariff then
a11ows the Commission to propose to repeal the entire rule
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Application of Avista Corporation
I set if desired, and is in compliance with Order No. 33953
2 j-n Case Nos. AVU-E-17-01 and AVU-G-17-01. Accordingly,
3 avista requests that the Commission issue an Order
4 approving the proposed revisions to natural gas tariff
5 schedure 1,7 0 .
6 VIHEREFORE, Avista respectfully requests the
7 Commission issue its Order finding the proposed Application
8 to be fair, just, reasonable and nondiscriminatory, and
9 effective for natural gas service rendered on and after
10 November 7, 20L8, with this Application being processed
ll under Modified Procedure.
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Dated at Spokane, Washington this /f day of {;il|/2ot} - ---7-
AVISTA CORPORATION
By ry7o.riY .r/laEydr
Vice President and Chief Counsel for
Regulatory and Governmental Affairs
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Application of Avj-sta Corporation
l.P.U.C. No.27
First Revision Sheet 170-K
Canceling
Sheet 170-K
Patrick Ehrbar, Director of Regulatory Affairs
AVISTA CORPORATION
d/b/a Avista Utilities
IDAHO
RULES AND REGULATIONS - continued
23. METER READING AND BILLING PRACTICE: - continued3. When other than normal billing periods are caused by the Customer; i.e.,
opening an account, services for six days or less will be treated as an addition to the next
normal billing period, and the total billed on the basis of a normal billing period;
consumptions for seven days or more will be billed as a normal billing period, i.e., closing
an account, services for 27 to 35 days will be billed as a normal billing period. The
billings for services less than 27 and more than 35 days will be prorated.
4. When other than normal billing periods are caused by the Company, due to
modification of meter reading schedules as required by changing conditions, services
will be billed on a normal billing period basis, or prorated, whichever produces the
smaller bill.
5. The Company may estimate meter readings for fractional month's use and
render bills based on these estimated readings.
6. Where the Company's meter reader is unable to gain access to the
premises to read the meter on his regular meter trip, the Company may estimate meter
readings or request the Customer to send in the meter reading on a post card furnished
by the Company.
7. See Utility Customer Relations Rule 204.
24. METERACCURACY
The Companv shallensure that customers receive service with adequate pressure.
heat content. and accurate measurement of oas consumption. No meter that is
mechanicallv defective shall be olaced in service or allowed to remain in service after a
defect has been discovered.
A new gas F-eter installed for the use of anv customer shall not be more than one (1)
percent slow and not more than one (1) percent fast. Anv meter removed from service for
testing or repair shall be adiusted to the tolerance prescribed by the Avista Utilities Gas
Standards Manual prior to being reinstalled.
lssued September 18, 2018 Effective November1,2018
By
Avista Utilities
VgLb"*
l.P.U.C. No.27 OriginalSheet 170-L
Patrick Ehrbar, Director of Regulatory Affairs
Avista Utilities
AVISTA CORPORATION
d/b/a Avista Utilities
IDAHO
RULES AND REGULATIONS - continued
25. METER TESTING
A. Reportinq.
After December 31st of each vear, results of the installed meter testino prooram will be
summarized, analyzed, and made available at the request of the Commission.
B. Meter Records.
Meter historv records shal! be maintained until suoerseded by a later test. but not less
than two vears. Ihese records shallqive:
'1. sufficient information to idenlifv the meter.2. the reason for the test,
3. the date of the test and readino of the meter.4. the name of the oerson makino the test. and
5. the accuracv as found and as left. too,elher with enouoh of the data taken at
the time of the test to permit the convenient checkins of the methods
emploved and the calculations.
C. TestinLof Meters.
All tests to determine the accuracv of reoistrations of oas service meters shall be made
with a suitable meter prover or testino eouipment.
1. New Meter Testinq Proqram.a. lrlew meters shall be factory tested and certified to meet
accuracv criteria as specified herein.b. Acceptance testino shall be performed by the Company prior to
installation of new meters oer th-e Ayista Utilities Gas Standards
Manual.
2. lnstalled Meters Testino Prooram.a. lnstalled meters shall be inspected and tested aoainst meterino
tolerance orescribed herein and per the Avista Utilities Gas
Standards Manual.b. Meters found to be outside the prescribed tolerances shall be
immediatelv adiusted or reolaced. No meter shall be reinstalled if
found to be more than two (2) percent slow orfast when tested at the
qtgscribe$-rate(s) qlllqUl
Etfective November1,2018lssued September18,2018
By
Vg/*t,L
l.P.U.C. No.27 Sheet'170-M
AVISTA CORPORATION
d/b/a Avista Utilitles
IDAHO
RULES AND REGU TIONS - continued
c. The methodoloov for sample sizes and analvsis for the installed
meter testing prooram is delrived from the American National
Standards lnstitute (ANSI) / American Societv for Qualitv (ASQ)
Standard 21.9 (Standard 21.9) and other oenerallv accepted
insoection standards.
For diaphraqm meters 1000 CFH and smaller. a random
sample of meters shall be selected, tested within a
prescribed sample size. and analvsis conducted usinq
Standard 21.9. The random samplinq prooram shall
beqin durino the 10h vear after meter installation, as
established bv laSt Set date.
il Laroer capacitv meters shall be tested per the Avista Utilities
Gas Standards Manual.
D. Meter Tests Reouested bv Customers
The Companytuil!,accuracv of reqistration of a meter uoon
reouest of a Customer. provided that the Customer does not request such a test more
freouentlv than once in a 12-month period.
lf a Customer requests more than one meter test within anv '12-month oeriod. the
Co.ppanv shall inform the Customer. prior to the test, that if the meter is found to
reoister within the 2 percent acceoted tolerance standard. under normal operatinc
conditions. thq 9ustomer shall be required to pav thp_actual cost to perform the meter
test.
No billinq adiustment shall be required if the test results show an averaoe reqistration
error of less than 2 percent.
26, MAPS AND RECORDS OF FACILITIES
Maps and records shall be kept on file or available electronicallv in the orincioal
office of each division or district, The maps shall show the size. character. and
location of each street main. district regulator, street valve, and when practicable.
each service connection in the correspondino territorv served. ln lieu gf showino
the date of installation and service location on maps. a separate record mav be
maintained.
Effective November1,2018lssued September18,2Ol8
Patrick Ehrbar, Director of Regulatory AffairsBy
Utilities
Vgl*ttu
i.
l.P.U.C. No.27 Sheet 170-N
Patrick Ehrbar, Director of Regulatory Affairs
AVISTA CORPORATION
d/b/a Avista Utilities
Each division gr district office shall maintain records of the oas distribution svstem
that will enable the Companv to furnish information reoardino the provision of
service to Applicants ar:rd Customers.
The Commission mav inspect facilities and records as necessarv as provided in
section 61-521. ldahg 9ode.
lssued September 18, 2018 Effective November1,2018
By
Avista
Vgtu-L
First Revision Sheet 170-K
Canceling
OriginalSheet 170-Kl.P.U.C. No.27
Patrick Ehrbar, Director of Regulatory Affairs
AVISTA CORPORATION
d/b/a Avista Utilities
IDAHO
RULES AND REGULATIONS - continued
23. METER READING AND BILLING PRACTICE: - continued3. When other than normal billing periods are caused by the Customer; i.e.,
opening an account, services for six days or less will be treated as an addition to the next
normal billing period, and the total billed on the basis of a normal billing period;
consumptions for seven days or more will be billed as a normal billing period, i.e., closing
an account, services for 27 to 35 days will be billed as a normal billing period. The
billings for services less than 27 and more than 35 days will be prorated.
4. When other than normal billing periods are caused by the Company, due to
modification of meter reading schedules as required by changing conditions, services
will be billed on a normal billing period basis, or prorated, whichever produces the
smaller bill.
5. The Company may estimate meter readings for fractional month's use and
render bills based on these estimated readings.
6. Where the Company's meter reader is unable to gain access to the
premises to read the meter on his regular meter trip, the Company may estimate meter
readings or request the Customer to send in the meter reading on a post card fumished
by the Company.
7. See Utility Customer Relations Rule 204.
24. METERACCURACY
The Company shall ensure that customers receive service with adequate pressure,
heat content, and accurate measurement of gas consumption. No meter that is
mechanically defective shall be placed in service or allowed to remain in service after a
defect has been discovered.
A new gas meter installed for the use of any customer shall not be more than one (1)
percent slow and not more than one (1) percent fast. Any meter removed from service for
testing or repair shall be adjusted to the tolerance prescribed by the Avista Utilities Gas
Standards Manual prior to being reinstalled.
lssued September 18, 2018 Effective November1,2018
By
Vg*ttu
l.P,U.C. No.27 OriginalSheet 170-L
Patrick Ehrbar, Director of Regulatory Affairs
AVISTA CORPORATION
d/b/a Avista Utilities
IDAHO
RULES AND REGULATIONS - continued
25, METER TESTING
A, Reporting.
After December 31st of each year, results of the installed meter testing program will be
summarized, analyzed, and made available at the request of the Commission.
B. Meter Records.
Meter history records shall be maintained until superseded by a later test, but not less
than two years. These records shallgive:'). sufficient information to identify the meter,2. the reason for the test,
3. the date of the test and reading of the meter,4. the name of the person making the test, and5. the accuracy as found and as left, together with enough of the data taken at
the time of the test to permit the convenient checking of the methods
employed and the calculations.
C. Testing of Meters.
All tests to determine the accuracy of registrations of gas service meters shall be made
with a suitable meter prover or testing equipment.
'1. New Meter Testing Program.a. New meters shall be factory tested and certified to meet
accuracy criteria as specified herein.b. Acceptance testing shall be performed by the Company prior to
installation of new meters perthe Avista Utilities Gas Standards
Manual.
2. Installed Meters Testing Program.a. lnstalled meters shall be inspected and tested against metering
tolerance prescribed herein and per the Avista Utilities Gas
Standards Manual.b. Meters found to be outside the prescribed tolerances shall be
immediately adjusted or replaced. No meter shall be reinstalled if
found to be more than two (2) percent slow or fast when tested at the
prescribed rate(s) of flow.
lssued September 18, 2018 Effective November1,20'18
By
Vg*/.u
l.P.U.C. No.27 Sheet 170-M
Patrick Ehrbar, Director of Regulatory Affairs
by
By
AV]STA CORPORATION
d/b/a Avista Utilities
IDAHO
RULES AND REGULATIONS - continued
c. The methodology for sample sizes and analysis for the installed
meter testing program is derived from the American National
Standards lnstitute (ANSI) /American Society for Quality (ASO)
Standard 21.9 (Standard21.9) and other generally accepted
inspection standards.
Fordiaphragm meters 1000 CFH and smaller, a random
sample of meters shall be selected, tested within a
prescribed sample size, and analysis conducted using
Standard 21.9. The random sampling program shall
begin during the 1Oth year after meter installation, as
established by last set date.
Larger capacity meters shall be tested per the Avista Utilities
Gas Standards Manual.
D. Meter Tests Requested by Customers
The Company will, without charge, test the accuracy of registration of a meter upon
request of a Customer, provided that the Customer does not request such a test more
frequently than once in a 12-month period.
lf a Customer requests more than one meter test within any 12-month period, the
Company shall inform the Customer, prior to the test, that if the meter is found to
register within the 2 percent accepted tolerance standard, under normal operating
conditions, the Customer shall be required to pay the actual cost to perform the meter
test.
No billing adjustment shall be required if the test results show an average registration
error of less than 2 percent.
26, MAPS AND RECORDS OF FACILITIES
Maps and records shall be kept on file or available electronically in the principal
office of each division or district. The maps shall show the size, character, and
location of each street main, district regulator, street valve, and when practicable,
each service connection in the corresponding tenitory served. ln lieu of showing
the date of installation and service location on maps, a separate record may be
maintained.
ii
Etfective November1,2018lssued September 18, 2018
Utilities
Vgu-^-
l.P.U.C. No.27 Sheet 170-N
Patrick Ehrbar, Director of Regulatory Affairs
AVISTA CORPORATION
d/b/a Avista Utilities
Each division or district office shall maintain records of the gas distribution system
that will enable the Company to furnish information regarding the provision of
service to Applicants and Customers.
The Commission may inspect facilities and records as necessary as provided in
section 61-521, ldaho Code.
lssued September 18, 2018 Effective November 1,2018
By
Vg/*t-u