20210727Notice_of_Application_Order_No_35117.pdf

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35117 1
Office of the Secretary
Service Date
July 27, 2021
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF AVISTA UTILITIES FOR AN ORDER
APPROVING A CHANGE IN NATURAL GAS
RATES AND CHARGES TO REBATE
CERTAIN DEFERRED CREDIT BALANCES
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CASE NO. AVU-G-21-03

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

NOTICE OF
MODIFIED PROCEDURE

ORDER NO. 35117

On July 2, 2021, Avista Corporation dba Avista Utilities (“Company”) applied for an
Order Approving a Change in Natural Gas Rates and Charges to Rebate Certain Deferred Credit
Balances asking to decrease its annualized revenues by about $1.9 million (2.9%). Application at
1. The Company proposes to refund to customers deferred credit balances associated with
depreciation expense, Accumulated Funds Used During Construction (“AFUDC”), and CARES
Act benefits.
The Company says its proposal, if approved, will decrease rates for an average
residential or small commercial customer using an average of 63 therms per month by $1.44 per
month (2.9%). Id. The Company states it is providing notice of this Application to its customers
in compliance with Commission authorities. Id. at 2. The Company asks that its application be
processed by Modified Procedure, and that the new rates take effect September 1, 2021. Id. at 1.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Company is a public utility that distributes
natural gas in northern Idaho, eastern and central Washington, and southwestern and northeastern
Oregon. The Company buys natural gas and then transports it through pipelines for delivery to
customers. The Company proposes to refund to customers deferred credit balances associated
with depreciation expense, AFUDC, and CARES Act benefits. The proposed refund to customers,
if approved would offset the Company’s proposed Purchased Gas Cost Adjustment rate increase
in its application in Case No. AVU-G-21-04 if approved by the Commission. The table below
summarizes the proposed rate credits:

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35117 2
Schedule 178
Rate
Per Therm
General Service – Schedule 101 (0.02286)
Large General Service – Schedules 111 & 112 (0.01444)
Interruptible Service – Schedules 131 & 132 (0.01444)
Transportation Service – Schedule 146 (0.00378)

Application at 3. The Company represents that it is also filing its application for a change in rates
for the Purchased Gas Cost Adjustment (“PGA”) and amortization of gas-related deferral balances
simultaneously with this application. The Company asserts that if both applications are approved
the net change to natural gas revenues would be an increase of approximately $7.1 million or
10.6% effective September 1, 2021.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company asserts it has or will notify
customers of its proposed tariffs by posting notice at each of its Idaho district offices, and through
a press release. Also, the Company states it will send notice to each customer as a bill insert during
the July timeframe.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application and Exhibits are available for
public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission’s office. The Application is
also available on the Commission’s website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on the “NATURAL
GAS” tab at the top of the home page, then select “Open Cases” and then locate and click on the
case number as shown on the front of this document.
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. The Commission may
enter any final order consistent with its authority under Title 61.
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.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined that the public
interest may not require a formal hearing in this matter and will 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.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35117 3
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that anyone desiring to state a position on this
Application may file a written comment explaining why the person supports or opposes the
Application within 21 days of the service date of this Order. Persons desiring a hearing must
specifically request a hearing in their written comments. Comments must be filed through the
Commission website or by email unless computer access is unavailable. To comment
electronically, please access the Commission’s home page at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click the
“Consumer” tab on the Commission’s webpage and then “Case Comment Form” and complete the
form using the case number as it appears on the front of this document. To file by email, the
customer must email the comments to the email addresses listed below. Besides submitting the
comments to the Commission Secretary, the customer must also email the Staff and utilities at the
email addresses listed below. If computer access is unavailable, then comments may be mailed to
the Commission, Staff, and utilities at these addresses:
For the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission:

Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
[e-mail]

11331 W. Chinden Blvd.
Building 8, Suite 201-A
Boise, Idaho 83714

For Avista:

Patrick D. Ehrbar
David J. Meyer
Avista Utilities
1411 E. Mission Avenue
Spokane, WA 99220-3727
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company must file any reply comments
within 28 days of the service date of this Order.
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.
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Company’s Application be processed by Modified
Procedure, Rule 201-204 (IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204). Persons interested in submitting written
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 35117 4
comments must do so within 21 days of the service date of this Order. The Company must file
any reply comments within 28 days of the service date of this Order.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Parties should continue to comply with Order No.
35058, issued June 3, 2021. All pleadings should be filed with the Commission electronically and
shall be deemed timely filed when received by the Commission Secretary. See Rule 14.02. Service
between Parties should also be accomplished electronically. Voluminous discovery-related
documents may be filed and served on CD-ROM or a USB flash drive.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 27th day
of July 2021.

PAUL KJELLANDER, PRESIDENT

KRISTINE RAPER, COMMISSIONER

ERIC ANDERSON, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secretary

I:\Legal\GAS\AVU-G-21-03\orders\AVUG2103_ntc app_mod_jh.docx