20181011notice_of_application_order_no_34167.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
October 11,2018
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF AVISTA )CASE NO.AVU-G-18-07
CORPORATION'S APPLICATION TO )REVISE TARIFF SCHEDULE 170 -)NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NATURAL GAS RULES AND )REGULATIONS )NOTICE OF MODIFIED
)PROCEDURE
)NOTICE OF COMMENT
)DEADLINE
)ORDER NO.34167
On September 19,2018,Avista Corporation dba Avista Utilities filed an Application
requesting that the Commission approve changes to the Company's Tariff Schedule 170 relating
to the Company's Natural Gas Rules and Regulations.The proposed changes stem from the
Company's effort to comply with Commission Order No.33953.
Generally,the Company proposes to incorporate pertinent provisions of the
Commission's Service Rules for Gas Utilities (IDAPA 31.31.01),including rules for meter
testing and accuracy as well as maintaining system maps and records.The Company proposes to
move these relevant requirements into the Company's tariff.
BACKGROUND
In July 2008,Staff received an inquiry from Avista regarding an apparent conflict
between Commission Gas Service Rule 102,and Commission Safety Rule 202,relating to the
Commission's adoption of the National Fuel Gas Code,the Uniform Mechanical Code,and the
International Mechanical Code.After reviewing the issue,the Commission concluded that Gas
Service Rule 102 is incompatible with the Commission's Safety Rules 202.02 and203.02.Order
30625 at 2.Consequently,the Commission suspended Gas Service Rule 102,IDAPA
31.31.01.102.Id.at 3.The Commission further directed Staff to work with gas utilities and other
interested persons to informally review the Gas Service Rules.Id.
Avista and other natural gas utilities provided Staff with proposed changes to IDAPA
31.31.01 in November 2016,consistent with current best practices.Further discussions led to an
agreement that the integration of these revisions into the Company's tariffs would be beneficial
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to the Company and the Commission.As such,in the Company's 2017 General Rate Case,the
matter of incorporating pertinent provisions from IDAPA 31.31.01 was made part of the ultimate
ment resolving the case.
On December 28,2017,the Commission issued Order No.33953,approving the
Settlement Stipulation in the rate case.Therein,the parties agreed:
The Company and interested parties will meet and confer to review theCommission's Service Rules for Gas Utilities (IDAPA 31.31.01)to determinewhichprovisionsshouldberetainedand/or modified,and,if the participantsagree,incorporate those changes into the Company's tariff.Any changes requiringCommissionapproval,e.g.,tariff revisions,will be submitted by the Company on
or before [October 1,2018].
Stipulation and Settlement Para.19.If the underlying Application is approved,the rules
developed with Staff will be incorporated into Avista Natural Gas Tariff Schedule 170.Approval
of the rules would not change rates.The Company requested that the Commission process this
Application under Modified Procedure,with an effective date of November 1,2018.Application
at 8.
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 Company seeks to add three new sections to
Schedule 170,as follows:
1.Meter Accuracy:This change will add rules requiring the
Company to afford customers with meters that provide adequate pressure,heat
content,and accurate measurement of gas consumption;
2.Meter Testing:This change will add rules requiring the Company
to maintain meter records,the parameters for new and installed meter testing
programs,including methodology;and
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3.Maps and Records of Facilities:This change will add rules
requiring the Company to keep maps and records that show the size,character,
and location of each street main,district regulator,street valve,and service
connection in the corresponding territoryserved.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company's Application will have no
effect on rates.
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
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 MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has reviewed the filing in
this action,and has 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.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 desiring to state a position on
this Application may file a written comment in support or opposition with the Commission by
October 24,2018.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 case shall be mailed to the Commission and the Applicants 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:
Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W.Washington Street
Boise,ID 83702-5918
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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 the Company shall file reply comments,if
necessary,no later than October 26,2018.
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.
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ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the parties'Apphonon shall be processed by
Modified Procedure,Rule 201-204 (IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204).
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that interested persons wishing to file written
comments must do so no later than October 24,2018.Avista may file a reply,if any,no later
than October 26,2018.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this
day of October 2018.
P L KJE R,PRESIDENT
KR INE RAPER,MISSIONER
ERIC ANDERSON,COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
Diane M.Hanian
Commission Secretary
I:\Legal\GAS\AVU-G-18-07\Orders\AVUGl807_NicAppMod_bkldoc
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