20200309Notice_of_Motion_to_Approve_Settlement_Order_No_34577.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
March 9,2020
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF AVISTA )CASE NOS.AVU-E-18-12
CORPORATION'S APPLICATION FOR A )AVU-G-18-08
DETERMINATION OF 2016-2017 ELECTRIC )
ENERGY EFFICIENCY EXPENSES AS )NOTICE OF MOTION TO
PRUDENTLY INCURRED )APPROVE SETTLEMENT
)AGREEMENT
IN THE MATTER OF AVISTA )CORPORATION'S APPLICATION FOR A )NOTICE OF MODIFIED
DETERMINATION OF 2014-2017 NATURAL )PROCEDURE
GAS ENERGY EFFICIENCY EXPENSES AS )PRUDENTLY INCURRED )ORDER NO.34577
On November 16,2018,Avista Corporation ("Avista"or "Company")filed two
applications with the Commission.The first application,Case No.AVU-G-18-08,requested the
Commission determine whether the Company prudentlyincurred $2,899,525 in natural gas energy
efficiency expenses from January 1,2014 throughDecember 31,2017.The second application,
Case No.AVU-E-18-12,requested the Commission determine whether the Company prudently
incurred $22,719,204 in electric energy efficiency expenses in 2016 and 2017.
The Commission issued notices of Application and set intervention deadlines for both
cases in December 2018.See Order Nos.34210 and 34222.During the ensuing months,
Commission Staff worked closely with the Company to understand its data and processes.
On September 17,2019,the Commission issued notices of Modified Procedure,setting
a November 18,2019 comment deadlineand a December 2,2019 reply comment deadline in both
cases.See Order Nos.34446 and 34444.
On October 29,2019,Staff notified the Commission that,per Commission Rule 272
(IDAPA 31.01.01.272),it would begin settlement negotiations with Avista in both cases.At the
request of Staff,the Commission extended the comment deadlines for both cases to December 9,
2019 for comments and December 23,2019 for reply comments.See Order Nos.34487 and 34489.
On December 9,2019,Staff filed comments in both cases.Staff stated it had settled
with the Company in principle and that it believed the settlement would be ready to file soon.Staff
NOTICE OF MOTION TO APPROVE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34577 1
recommended that once the settlement was filed with the Commission,the Commission should set
new comment deadlines to allow public input on the settlement.
On February 18,2020,Avista filed a Settlement Agreement for Commission
consideration.
NOTICE OF MOTION TO APPROVE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the proposed Settlement Agreement addresses
reporting and program management issues identified by Commission Staff that have made the
Company's prudency cases challenging for several years.The Company agrees to review its
internal processes and provide the results to Staff by specific dates.The Company will also
evaluate how its reports to the Commission are prepared,engaging with Staff as part of this
evaluation.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company and Staff agree to adjust the
energy efficiencytariff rider accounts to correct costs that had been incorrectlyassigned.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the proposed Settlement Agreement states that
if the Commission "rejects any part or all of [the Settlement]or imposes any additional material
conditions on approval of [the Settlement],"each party reserves the right to withdraw from the
proposed Settlement Agreement.Settlement Agreement at 9.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the proposed Settlement Agreement and the
Motion to Approve Settlement Agreement are available for public inspection during regular
business hours at the Commission's office.These documents are also available on the
Commission's web site at www-Ruc.idaho.gov.Click on the "ELECTRIC"or "NATURAL GAS"
icon,select "Open Cases"and click on the case number as shown on the front of this document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission is not bound by the Parties'
agreement as reflected in the proposed Settlement Agreement.The Commission will
independently review the proposed Settlement Agreement consistent with Commission Rules 271-
280,IDAPA 31.01.01.271-280,to decide whether to approve or reject it,or state conditions under
which to accept it.The proposed Settlement Agreement's proponents ultimatelymust prove that
it is just,fair,and reasonable,in the public interest,or otherwise in accordance with law or
regulatory policy.
NOTICE OF MOTION TO APPROVE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34577 2
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that any person desiring to state a position on the
proposed Settlement Agreement must file a written comment in support or opposition with the
Commission by March 26,2020.The comment must contain a statement of reasons supporting
the comment.Written comments concerning the proposed Settlement Agreement and the Motion
to Approve Settlement Agreement shall be mailed to the Commission and the Company at the
addresses reflected below:
For the Idaho Public Utilities For Avista:
Commission:
Commission Secretary David J.Meyer
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Linda M.Gervais
P.O.Box 83720 Avista Corporation
Boise,ID 83720-0074 P.O.Box 3727
MSC-27
Street Address for Express Mail:Spokane,WA 99220-3727
E-Mail:david.meyer avistacorp.com
11331 W.Chinden Blvd.linda.gervais avistacorp.com
Building 8,Suite 201-A
Boise,Idaho 83714
These 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 wivw.puc.idaho.gov.Click the "Consumers"tab then click
the "Case Comment or Question Form"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 must file any reply comments by
April 2,2020.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission will consider this matter on
its merits and enter its Order without a technical hearing,pursuant to Rules 201 through 204 of the
Idaho Public Utilities Commission's Rules of Procedure,IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204.The
Commission notes that Modified Procedure and written comments have proven to be an effective
means for obtaining public input and participation.The Commission will consider written
NOTICE OF MOTION TO APPROVE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34577 3
comments received within the time limit set and,in its discretion,may set the same for technical
hearing.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held
pursuant to the Commission's jurisdictionunder Title 61 of the Idaho Code and specifically Idaho
Code §§61-501 to 61-503.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be conducted
pursuant to the Commission's Rules of Procedure,IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that all proceedings in this matter will be conducted by
Modified Procedure,Rule 201-204 (IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204).
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that any person desiring to state a position on the
proposed Settlement Agreement must file written comments by March 26,2020.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Company must file any reply comments by April
2,2020.
NOTICE OF MOTION TO APPROVE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34577 4
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this
day of March 2020.
PAUL LA R,PRESIDENT
KRI MISSIONER
ERIC ANDERSON,COMMISSIONER
Diane M.Hanian
Commission Secretary
I:\Legal\GASMVU-G-18-08\ORDERSMVUGl808 nte mtn approve settlement_mb.docx
NOTICE OF MOTION TO APPROVE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34577 5