20220902Application.pdf

.i?rtsra
Avlsta Corp.
l4l I East Mission P.O. Box 3721
Spokane, Washington 99220-0500
Telephonc 5D-{89-0500
Toll Free 8A0-727-9170
RECEIVET)
2022 SEP-2 AM 10:40
IDAHO PUBI.IC
UTILITIES COMMISSION
AVU€-22.06
S€p,t€mbcr 2,2022
Commission Sccraary
Statc of ldabo
Idaho Public Utilitics Commission
I l33l W. Chindcn Blvd" Building 8, Suite 201-A
Boise,Idaho 83714
Case No. AV1J-G-22-0[
LP.U.C. No.27-Netunl Gu Servlce
In accordancc with Casc No. GNR-U-2041, Orrdsr No. }ffi} which suspcnds thc requiremart to file physical
copies, the Company has attachod for eloctr,onic filing with thc Commission are thc following Evised tariff
sheets:
Thlrty-Second Revbbn Shcet 150 crnceling Thtrty-nnt Revlrlon Shect 150
Twcnty-Fourlh Revirlon Shcct 155 crncelng Twenty-Thlrd Rcvlrlon Shect t55
The Company rEquosts that the proposod ariffshoets be made effective Novembcr 1,2022. Thcsc tariffshe€tg
rcflcct thc Compeny'e annual Pur$asod Gas Coot Adjustmcnt ('PGA'). If approvo4 the Compny's annud
llleNruc will inozase by approximarcly $l1.2 million or apmximatcly 12.7o/o. Thc proposod changes havc no
effect on tlrc Cmpany'r caminge. DGtailcd informrtion rclrtod to thc Compony's rcqucs was filod eletronically
along with thc attachod Application and supporting workpapcrs.
Fild concurrently with this PGA is the Natural Gas Energy Efficicncy (DSM) filing. Ifboth the PGA and DSM
filings arc approvd residcotial natural gas customcrs in ldaho usrtrg ao averagc of 63 thcrms pcr month would
sce their monthly bills incrcasc frrom $61.30 to $70.52, an increase of 59.22 per month" or approximatc$ 15.0o/o.
The proposcd natural gas ratc changes would be effoctive Novcmbcr 1,2022.
If you have any qucstions r€garding this filing, please contact Marcus Gaftarino at [phone].
Sinccroly,
/s/ Patrick D. Ehrbar
Patrick D. Ehftar
Director of Rcgulatory Atrairs
BEFORE T}IE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF
AVISTA UTILITIES FOR AN ORDER APPROVING
A CHANGE IN RATES FOR PURCHASED GAS
COSTS AND AMORTZATION OF GAS-RELATED
DEFERRAL BALANCES
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CASE: AVLJ-G-22-0+
Application is hereby made to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission for an Order approving a revised
schedule of rates and charges for natural gas service in the state of Idaho. The Applicant requests that
the proposed rates included in this Purchased Gas Cost Adjustnent (*PGA") filing be made effective on
November 1,2022. If approved as filed, the Company's annual revenue will increase by approximately
$11.2 million or about 12.7o/o. In support of this Application, Applicant states as follows:
I.
The name of the Applicant is AMSTA CORPORATION, doing business as AMSTA UTILITIES
(hereinafter Avista, Applicant or Company), a Washington corporation, whose principal business office
is 141 1 East Mission Avenue, Spokane, Washington, and is qualified to do business in the state of Idatro.
Applicant maintains district offices in Moscow, Lewiston, Coeur d'Alene, Sandpoint, and Kellogg,
Idaho. Communications in reference to this Application should be addressed to:
Patrick D. Ehrbar
Director of Regulatory Affairs
Avista Utilities
l411 E. Mission Avenue
Spokane, WA 99220-3727
Phone: [phone]
Pat. ehrbar@ avistacom.com
Dockets@ avistacorp. com
II.
Attorney for the Applicant and his address is as follows:
David J. Meyer
Vice President and Chief Counsel for Regulatory
And Governmental Affairs
Avista Utilities
14l l E. Mission Avenue
Spokane, WA 99220-3727
Phone: [phone]
David.meyer(d avistacorp. com
Case No. AVU-G-22-0 Page I of5
m
The Applicant is a public utility engaged in the distribution of natural gas in certain portions of Northern
Idaho, Eastern and Central Washington, and Southwestern and Northeastern Oregon, and further
engaged in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity in Norttrern Idaho and Eastern
Washington.
rV
Thirty-Second Revision Sheet 150, which Applicant requests the Commission approve, is filed herewith
as Exhibit "A". Additionally, Twenty-Fourth Revision Sheet 155, which Applicant requests the
Commission approve, is also filed herewith as Exhibit uA". Also included in Exhibit uAu is a copy of
Thirty-Second Revision Sheet 150 and Twenty-Fourth Revision Tariff Sheet 155 with the changes
underlined and a copy of Thirty-First Revision Sheet 150 and Twenty-Third Revision Tariff Sheet 155
with the proposed changes shown by lining over the current language or rates.
V
The existing rates and charges for natural gas service on file with the Commission and designated as
Applicant's Tariff IPUC No. 27, which will be superseded by the rates and charges filed herewith, are
incorporated herein as though fully attached hereto.
VI.
Notice to the Public of Applicant's proposed tariffs is to be given simultaneously with the filing of this
Application by posting, at each of the Company's district offices in Idatro, a Notice in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit "B" and by means of a press release distibuted to various informational agencies, a
draft copy attached hereto in Exhibit "C". fn addition, Exhibit "C" to this Application also contains the
form of customer notice that the Company will send to its customers in its monthly bills in the September
timeframe.
VII.
The circumstances and conditions relied on for approval of Applicant's revised rates are as follows:
Applicant purchases natural gas for customer usage and transports it over Williams Norlhwest Pipeline,
Gas Transmission Northwest (GTN), TC Energy - Alberta, TC Energy - BC and Enbridge Energy
Pipeline systems, and defers the effect of timing differences due to implementation of rate changes and
differences between Applicanfs actual weighted average cost of gas ("WACOG") purchased and the
WACOG embedded in rates. Applicant also defers various pipeline refunds or charges and
miscellaneous revenue received from natural gas related transactions including pipeline capacrty
releases. Workpapers for all proposed Commodity, Demand and Amortization costs are provided with
this filing as Exhibit "D".
VIII
This filing reflects the Company's proposed annual PGA to: 1) pass through shanges in the estimated
cost of natural gas forthe period ofNovember 2022 through October 2023 (Schedule 150), and 2) revise
CaseNo. AVU-G-22-0 Page 2 of5
the amortization rate(s) to refund or collect the balance of deferred natural gas costs (Schedule 155).
Below is a table summarizing the proposed rate changes reflected in this frling:
Service
General
Lg. General
Lg C-reneral
Intemrptible
Transportation
Commodity
Change
per therm
$ (o.oolll)
$ (0.00111)
$ (o.oolll)
$ (o.ool I l)
$-
Demand
Change
per therm
$ (0.0000s)
$ (0.0000s)
$ (o.oooos)
$-
$-
$ (0.0011o $
$ (0.001lq $
$ (0.00111) $
$-$
0. I 1658
TotalPGA
Rate Change
per therm
$ 0.lls42
$ 0.11s42
$ (0.001Iq
$ (0.00111)
$-
Sch.
No.
101
lll
n2
l3l
146
Total Amortizatbn
Sch.150 Change
Chanqe Der therm
$ (0.0011o s 0.ll6s8
The Company is frling another Application simultaneously with this application related to energy
efliciency funding that would increase natural gas revenues by approximately $2.6 million or 3.0%
effective November 1,2022. If both applications are approved the net change to natural gas revenue
would be an increase of approximately $13.8 million or 15.7o/o effective November 1,2022.
D(.
Schedule 150 / Purchase Gas Cost - Commoditv Costs
As shown in the table above, the estimated WACOG change is a decrease of $0.00111 per therm; the
proposed WACOG of $0.35070 per therm compared to the present WACOG of $0.35181 per therm
included in rates. The decrease is a result of the two out of cycle PGA's approved by the Commission
during the PGA year that increased the commodity WACOG of $0.20305 per therrn effective September
1,2021to $0.26540 per therm effective February 1,2022, and $0.35181 pertherm effective July 1, 2022.
Since the filing of our last out of cycle PGA in April 2022, forward prices have come down slightly
resulting in the current decrease, however, the natural gas market in the US has seen extaordinary price
volatility this past year in both the spot and forward markets and has at times reached levels not seen in
over a decade. The Henry Hub spot price settled above $9 on several days during late May and early
June of 2022, which is a level the market has not seen since 2008. Regional hubs in the Pacific Norlhwest
have also seen similar volatility and high prices throughout the year, resulting in wholesale and forward
natural gas prices substantially above the level presently included in rates.
The market factors attributing to the rise in prices is an overall increase in demand and lower supply.
Demand has remained stong mainly due to LNG exports which have been running at or near capacrty
through the winter and spring. Additionally, there has been a lack of fuel switching that is normally
expected when natural gas prices are elevated to the level they are currently at. When natural gas prices
reach high levels there is typically some volume of demand destruction that occurs as consumers utilize
their ability to switch to cheaper fuels where possible. However, that has not happened in the current
environment as the two main alternative fuels, coal and oil, are also priced at extremely high levels
limiting the incentive to switch away from natural gas. An additional factor is the retirement of coal fired
generating plants over the past few years has significantly reduced the overall capacity available for fuel
switching away from gas.
On the supply side, US production has underperformed expectations since the start of 2022 ptfitng
pressure on wholesale prices. The increased demand and lack of supply have led to storage levels well
below the 5-year average putting upward pressure on both cash and forward prices for the remainder of
Case No. AVU-G-22-0 Page 3 of 5
2022. Also, although the US natural gas market is not directly connected to the European market except
through LNG exports, which are already operating at capacity as mentioned above, there is likely a risk
premium being priced into the US market based on the expectations that world energy prices will remain
elevated due to the War in Ukraine.
The Company's natural gas Procurement Plan ("Plan") uses a diversified approach to procure natural
gas for the coming PGA year. While the Plan generally incorporates a more structured approach for the
hedging portion of the portfolio, the Company exercises flexibility and discretion in all areas of the plan
based on changes in the wholesale market. The Company typically meets with Commission Staffsemi-
annually to discuss the state of the wholesale market and the status of the Company's Plan. In addition,
the Company communicates with Staff when it believes it makes sense to deviate from its Plan and/or
opportunities arise in the market.
Avista has been hedging natural gas on both a periodic and discretionary basis throughout the previous
thirty-six months for the forthcoming PGA year. Approximately 4l% of the annual load requirements
for this year's PGA period (November 2022 throryh October 2023) have been hedged at a fixed-price
derived from the Company's Plan. Though June, the hedge volumes for the PGA period have been
executed at a weighted average price of $2.91 per dekatherm ($0.291 per thenn).
The Company used a 15-day historical average of AECO forward prices (ending July 18, 2022) to
develop an estimated cost associated with index purchases. These index purchases represent
approximately 59% of estimated annual load requirements for the coming year. The annual weighted
average price for these volumes is $4.12 per dekatherm ($0.412 per therrn).
x.
Schedule 150 / Purchase Gas Cost - Demand Costs
Demand costs reflect the cost of pipeline transportation to the Company's system, as well as fixed costs
associated with natural gas storage. As shown in the table above, demand costs are expected to slightly
decrease for residential customers by approximately $0.00005 per therm. This decrease is related to a
variety of factors including Canadian exchange rate, updated demand forecast, and new rates for
Canadian pipelines effective h:;lre 1,2022.
xI.
Schedule 155 / Amortization Rate Chanee
As shown in the table above, the proposed amortization rate change for Schedule 101 and Schedule 111
is an increase in revenue of $0.11542per thenn. The current rate applicable to Schedule 101 and
Schedule 111 is $0.01505 per therm in the surcharge direction; the proposed rate is $0.13163 per thenn
in the surcharqe direction.
In the 2021 PGA filing, in an effort to minimize the over rate increase to customers due to a large
surcharge deferred amortization balance, the Company proposed amortizing the balance over 38 months,
which was approved by the Commission.
Case No. AVt -G-22-0 Page 4 of5
In this PGA filing, the Company has used the deferral and amortization balances as of Jtme 2022,
inclusive of the residual amortization balance from the prior PGA, and proposed anortizrngthe balance
over l2-months which is consistent with historical PGA filings. The result is a surcharge amortization
rate to collect approximately $12.7 million from customers. On a per therm basis, the net impact of the
expiring amortization surcharge and the new amortization surcharge is a change in the amortization rate
of $0.1 1542 per therm.
XII.
If approved as filed, the Company's annual revenue will increase by approximately $11.2 million or
about 12.7% effective November 1,2022. Residential or small commercial customers using an average
of 63 therms per month would see an increase of $7 .27 per month, or approximately 1 l.9o/o. The present
bill for 63 therms is $61.30 while the proposed bill is $68.57.
XIII.
Exhibit "D" attached hereto contains support workpapers for the Proposed Tariff Rates proposed by
Applicant contained in Exhibit uA".
xrv
Avista requests that the rates proposed in this filing be approved to become effective on November 1,
2022, and requests that the matter be processed under the Commission's Modified Procedure rules
through the use of written comments. Avista stands ready for immediate consideration on its
Application.
XV
WHEREFORE, Avista requests the Commission issue its Order finding its proposed rates to be just,
reasonable, and nondiscriminatory and to become effective for all nafural gas service on and after
November I,2022. The overall increase is approximately $11.2 million or l2.7Yo. The Company
requests that the matterbe processed under the Commission's Modified Procedure rules through the use
of written comments.
Dated at Spokane, Washington, this 2"d day of September 2022.
AVISTA UTILITIES
BY
/s/ David J. Meyer
David J. Meyer
Vice President and Chief Counsel for
Regulatory & Governmental Affairs
Avista Corporation
Case No. AVU-G-22-0 Page 5 of5
DAVID J. MEYER
VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF COI]NSEL FOR
REGIJLATORY & GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
AVISTA CORPORATION
P.O.BO)(3727
1411 EAST MISSION AVENUE
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON 99220 -37 27
TELEPHONE: (509) 49s-4316
FACSIMILE: (509) 495-885 1
[e-mail]
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF TTIE APPLICATION
OF AVISTA CORPORATION FOR AN
ORDER APPROVING A CHANGE
IN NATURAL GAS RATES AND CHARGES
CONFIDENTIALITY
TO NATI.JRAL GAS CUSTOMERS IN THE
STATE OF IDAHO
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)
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CASENO. AW-G-22-gg
ATTORNEY' S CERTIFICATE
CLAIM OF
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RELATING TO PORTIONS
OF AVISTA'S EXHIBIT'S
AND WORKPAPERS
1
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5
6
1
FOR AVISTA CORPORATION
I, David J. Meyer, represent Avista Corporation. I am Vice President and Chief
Counsel for Regulatory and Govemmental Affairs for Avista Corporation (Avista or
Company) and I am appearing on its behalf in this proceeding.
I make this certification and claim of confidentiality pursuant to IDAPA 31.01.01
because Avista, through its supporting workpapers, is disclosing certain information that
is CONFIDENTIAL and constitutes TRADE SECRETS as defined by Idaho Code
Section 9-340 and 48-801 and protected under IDAPA 31.01.01.067 and 31.01 .01.233.
The electronic information Avista provides will, as required under IDAPA Rule
31.01.01.067, be marked as CONFIDENTIAL on all documents. In accordance with
Case No. GNR-U-20-01 , Order N o. 34602 which suspends the requirement to physically
file documents due to the COVID-l9 Pandemic, the Company will file all work papers,
tariffs, and exhibits only in electronic format.
The confidential information that Avista is disclosing includes, but is not limited
to certain forward wholesale natural gas pricing which is provided by a third-party
vendor, who does not allow public access to their proprietary information. Avista herein
asserts that the aforementioned information is confidential in that making third-party
pricing data public will violate the terms of our agreement with the vendor.
I am of the opinion that this information is CONFIDENTIAL, as defined by
Idaho Code Sections 9-340D and 48-801, should therefore be protected from public
inspection, examination and copying, and should be utilized only in accordance with the
terms of the protective agreement between Avista Corporation and Parties who have
requested such an agreement.
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ATTORNEY'S CERTIFICATE - I
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RESPECTFTILLY SUBMITTED this 2ud day of September 2022
/s/ DavidJ. Mever
DavidJ. Meyer
Vice President aod Chief Counsel for
Regulatory & Governmental Atrairs
Avista Corporation
ATTORNEY'S CERTIFICATE . 2
AYISTA UTILITIES
Case No. AVU-G-Z2-A6
E)GIIBIT 66A"
Proposed TariffSheets
AVISTA CORPORATION
d/b/a Avista Utilities
SCHEDULE 150
PURCHASE GAS COST ADJUSTMENT. IDAHO
APPLICABLE:
To Customers in the State of ldaho where Company has natural gas service
available.
PURPOSE:
To pass through changes in costs resulting from purchasing and transporting
naturalgas, to become effective as noted below.
RATE (a) The retail rates of firm gas Schedules 101 , 1 1 1 and 112 are to be increased
by 44.308Q, per therm in all blocks of these rate schedules.
(b)The rates of interruptible Schedules 131 and 132 are to be increased by
35.0700 per therm.
(c)The rate for transportation under Schedule 146 is to be decreased by
0.0006 per therm.
WEIGHTED AVERAGE GAS COST:
The above rate changes are based on the following weighted average cost of gas
per therm as of the effective date shown below:Demand Commodity Total
Schedules 101 9.238Q, 35.0700 44.3080,
Schedules 111 and 112 9.2380, 35.0700 44.3080,
Schedules 131 and 132 0.0000 35.0700 35.0700
The above amounts include a gross revenue factor.
Demand Commodity Total
Schedules 101 9.198p 34.9170 44.1150
Schedules 111 and 112 9.1980 34.9170 44.1150,
Schedules 131 and 132 0.0000 34.9170 34.917Q,
The above amounts do not include a gross revenue factor.
BALANCING ACCOUNT:
The Company will maintain a Purchase Gas Adjustment (PGA) Balancing Account
whereby monthly entries into this Balancing Account will be made to reflect differences
between the actual purchased gas costs collected from customers and the actual
purchased gas costs incurred by the Company. Those differences are then collected from
or refunded to customers under Schedule 155 - Gas Rate Adjustment.
lssued September2,2022 Effective November1,2022
l.P.U.C. No.27
lssued by
By
Thirty-Second Revision Sheet 150
Replacing
Revision Sheet 150 150
Avista Utilities
Patrick Ehrbar - Director of Regulatory Affairs
AVISTA CORPORATION
d/b/a Avista Utilities
SCHEDULE 150 - Continued
Additional debits or credits for Pipeline refunds or charges, Pipeline capacity
release revenues and miscellaneous revenues or expenses directly related to the
Company's cost of purchasing gas to meet customer requirements will be recorded in the
Balancing Account.
Defened gas costs will be determined for individual customers served under
Schedufes 112, 132 and 146, as well as for customers that switch to or from any of these
service schedules to another schedule. The defered gas cost balance for these
customers will be based on monthly entries in the Balancing Account as described above.
The defened gas cost balance for each customer will be eliminated by either, 1) a lump-
sum refund or surcharge, as applicable, or 2) an amortization rate per therm to reduce the
balance prospectively.
SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
The rates named herein are subject to increases as set forth in Schedule 158.
Effective January 1,201'llssued November 5, 2010
l.P.U.C. No.27
lssued by
By
Second Revision Sheet 150A
Replacing
First Revision Sheet 150A 150
Avista Utilities
Kelly O. Norwood - Vice-President, State & Federal Regulation
AVISTA CORPORATION
d/b/a Avista Utilities
SCHEDULE 150
PURCHASE GAS COST ADJUSTMENT . IDAHO
APPLICABLE:
To Customers in the State of ldaho where Company has natural gas service
available.
PURPOSE:
To pass through changes in costs resulting from purchasing and transporting
naturalgas, to become effective as noted below.
RATE:(a) The retail rates of firm gas Schedules 101 , 1 1 1 and 112 are to be increased
by l4r424q per therm in all blocks of these rate schedules.
(b)The rates of interruptible Schedules 131 and 132 are to be increased by
e518+O per therm.
(c)The rate for transportation under Schedule 146 is to be decreased by
0.0000 per therm.
WEIGHTED AVERAGE GAS COST:
The above rate changes are based on the following weighted average cost of gas
per therm as of the effective date shown below:Demand Commodity Total
Schedules'10'1
Schedules 111 and 112 g.o4g$ ?5,191Q 41,124#
Schedules l3l and 132
The above amounts include a gross revenue factor.
Demand Commodity Total
Schedules l0l
Schedules lll and 112
Schedules l3l and 132
The above amounts do not include a gross revenue factor.
BALANCING ACCOUNT:
The Company will maintain a Purchase Gas Adjustment (PGA) Balancing Account
whereby monthly entries into this Balancing Account will be made to reflect differences
between the actual purchased gas costs collected from customers and the actual
purchased gas costs incurred by the Company. Those differences are then collected from
or refunded to customers under Schedule 155 - Gas Rate Adjustment.
lssued April29,2022 Effective July 1,2022
l.P.U.C. No.27
lssued by
By
Thirty-First Revision Sheet 150
Replacing
Thirtieth Revision Sheet 150 150
Avista Utilities
Patrick Ehrbar - Director of Regulatory Affairs
AVISTA CORPORATION
d/b/a Avista Utilities
SCHEDULE 150 - Continued
Additional debits or credits for Pipeline refunds or charges, Pipeline capacity
release revenues and miscellaneous revenues or expenses directly related to the
Company's cost of purchasing gas to meet customer requirements will be recorded in the
Balancing Account.
Deferred gas costs will be determined for individual customers served under
Schedules 112, 132 and 146, as well as for customers that switch to or from any of these
service schedules to another schedule. The deferred gas cost balance for these
customers will be based on monthly entries in the Balancing Account as described above.
The defened gas cost balance for each customer will be eliminated by either, 1) a lump
sum refund or surcharge, as applicable, or 2) an amortization rate per therm to reduce the
balance prospectively.
SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
The rates named herein are subject to increases as set forth in Schedule 158.
Effective January 1,2011lssued November 5, 2010
l.P.U.C. No.27
lssued by
By
Second Revision Sheet 150A
Replacing
First Revision Sheet 150A 150
Utilities
Kelly O. Norwood - Vice-President, State & Federal Regulation
AVISTA CORPORATION
d/b/a Avista Utilities
SCHEDULE 150
PURCHASE GAS COST ADJUSTMENT. IDAHO
APPLICABLE:
To Gustomers in the State of ldaho where Company has natural gas service
available.
PURPOSE:
To pass through changes in costs resulting from purchasing and transporting
naturalgas, to become effective as noted below.
RATE:(a) The retail rates of firm gas Schedules 101, 111 and 112are to be increased
by 44.308Q, per therm in all blocks of these rate schedules.
(b) The rates of interruptible Schedules 131 and 132 are to be increased by
35.070f per therm.
(c)The rate for transportation under Schedule 146 is to be decreased by
0.0000 per therm.
WEIGHTED AVERAGE GAS COST:
The above rate changes are based on the following weighted average cost of gas
per therm as of the effective date shown below:Demand Commodity Total
Schedules 101 9.238d, 35.070d 44.3086
Schedules 111 and 112
Schedules 131 and 132
9.238d,35 0'70,d.44 30,8,d.
0.000d 35.070d 35.070d
The above amounts include a gross revenue factor.
Demand Commodity9.198d 34.917A
Total
44.1156Schedules 101
Schedules 111 and 112
Schedules 131 and 132
9.198d 34.9176 44.11500.000d 34.917d, 34.917d,
The above amounts do not include a gross revenue factor.
BALANCING ACCOUNT:
The Company will maintain a Purchase Gas Adjustment (PGA) Balancing Account
whereby monthly entries into this Balancing Account will be made to reflect differences
between the actual purchased gas costs collected from customers and the actual
purchased gas costs incurred by the Company. Those differences are then collected from
or refunded to customers under Schedule 155 - Gas Rate Adjustment.
lssued September2,2022 Effective November1,2022
l.P.U.C. No.27
Thirty-Second Revision Sheet 150
Replacing
rst Revision Sheet 150Th 150
By
Utilities
Patrick Ehrbar - Director of Regulatory Affairs
AVISTA CORPORATION
d/b/a Avista Utilities
SCHEDULE 150 - Continued
Additional debits or credits for Pipeline refunds or charges, Pipeline capacity
release revenues and miscellaneous revenues or expenses directly related to the
Company's cost of purchasing gas to meet customer requirements will be recorded in the
Balancing Account.
Deferred gas costs will be determined for individual customers served under
Schedules 112,132 and 146, as well as for customers that switch to or from any of these
service schedules to another schedule. The deferred gas cost balance for these
customers will be based on monthly entries in the Balancing Account as described above.
The deferred gas cost balance for each customer will be eliminated by either, 1) a lump-
sum refund or surcharge, as applicable, or 2) an amortization rate per therm to reduce the
balance prospectively.
SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
The rates named herein are subject to increases as set forth in Schedule 158
Effective January 1,2011lssued November 5, 2010
l.P.U.C. No.27
Second Revision Sheet 150A
Replacing
First Revision Sheet 150A 150
by
By
Avista Utilities
Kelly O. Norwood - Vice-President, State & Federal Regulation
AVISTA CORPORATION
d/b/a Avista Utilities
SCHEDULE 155
GAS RATE ADJUSTMENT - IDAHO
AVAILABLE:
To Customers in the State of ldaho where Company has natural gas service
available.
PURPOSE:
To adjust gas rates for amounts generated by the sources listed below.
MONTHLY RATE:(a) The rates of firm gas Schedules 101 and 111 are to be
increased by 13.163S per therm in all blocks of these rate schedules.(b) The rate of interruptible gas Schedule 131 is to be decreased by
0.0006 per therm.(c) The rate of transportation gas Schedule 146 is to be decreased by 0.0000
per therm.
SOURCES OF MONTHLY RATE:
Ghanges in the monthly rates above result from amounts which have been
accumulated in the Purchase Gas Adjustment (PGA) Balancing Account as
described in Schedule 150 - Purchase Gas Cost Adjustment.
SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
The above Monthly Rate is subject to the provisions of Tax Adjustment Schedule
158.
lssued September2,2022 Effective November1,2022
l.P.U.C. No.27
lssued by
By
Twenty-Fourth Revision Sheet 155
Canceling
Revision Sheet 155 155
Utilities
Patrick Ehrbar, Director of Regulatory Affairs
AVISTA CORPORATION
d/b/a Avista Utilities
SCHEDULE 155
GAS RATE ADJUSTMENT . IDAHO
AVAILABLE:
To Customers in the State of ldaho where Company has natural gas service
available.
PURPOSE:
To adjust gas rates for amounts generated by the sources listed below.
MONTHLY RATE:(a) The rates of firm gas Schedules 101 and 111 are to be
increased by +5050 per therm in all blocks of these rate schedules.(b) The rate of intemrptible gas Schedule 131 is to be decreased by
0.0006 per therm.(c) The rate of transportation gas Schedule 146 is to be decreased by 0.0006
per therm.
SOURCES OF MONTHLY RATE:
Changes in the monthly rates above result ftom amounts which have been
accumulated in the Purchase Gas Adjustment (PGA) Balancing Account as
described in Schedule 150 - Purchase Gas Cost Adjustment.
SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
The above Monthly Rate is subject to the provisions of Tax Adjustment Schedule
158.
Effective September1,2021lssued July 2,2021
l.P.U.C. No.27
Twenty-Third Revision Sheet 155
Canceling
Second Revision Sheet 155 155
By
Avista Utilities
Patrick Ehrbar, Director of Regulatory Affairs
AVISTA CORPORATION
d/b/a Avista Utilities
SCHEDULE 155
GAS RATE ADJUSTMENT - IDAHO
AVAILABLE:
To Customers in the State of ldaho where Company has natural gas service
available.
PURPOSE:
To adjust gas rates for amounts generated by the sources listed below
MONTHLY RATE:(a) The rates of firm gas Schedules 101 and 111 are to be
increased by 13.1630 pertherm in all blocks of these rate schedules.(b) The rate of interruptible gas Schedule 131 is to be decreased by
0.0006 per therm.(c) The rate of transportation gas Schedule 146 is to be decreased by 0.0000
per therm.
SOURCES OF MONTHLY RATE:
Changes in the monthly rates above result from amounts which have been
accumulated in the Purchase Gas Adjustment (PGA) Balancing Account as
described in Schedule 150 - Purchase Gas Cost Adjustment.
SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
The above Monthly Rate is subject to the provisions of Tax Adjustment Schedule
158.
lssued September2,2022 Effective November1,2022
l.P.U.C. No.27
Twenty-Fourth Revision Sheet 155
Canceling
Revision Sheet 155 155
By
Avista Utilities
Patrick Ehrbar, Director of Regulatory Affairs
AVISTA UTILITIES
Case No. AVU-G-22-0L
DC{IBIT O'B"
Notice of Public Applicant's Proposed Tariffs
Important Notice for Idaho Customers DRAFT
(September 2022)
Avista has filed two rate adjustment requests with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (Commission),
that if approved, are designed to increase overall natural gas revenue by approximately $13.8 million or
15.7o/o effective Nov. I , 2022. These filings have no impact on Avista's earnings.
The first adjustment is related to the annual Purchased Gas Cost Adjustment (PGA) filing. The PGA is
filed each year to balance the actual cost of wholesale natural gas purchased by Avista to serve customers
with the amount included in rates. This includes the natural gas commodity cost as well as the cost to
transport natural gas on interstate pipelines to Avista's local distribution system. The increase is primarily
driven by the increase in wholesale natural gas costs that were higher than the level included in rates during
the past year. If approved, Avista's request is designed to increase annual natural gas revenues by
approximately $ 1 1.2 million or 12.7o/o.
The second filing is the natural gas Energy Efficiency filing. The energy efficiency adjustment is related to
the funding of Avista's natural gas energ/ efficiency programs. This adjustment aligns the amount that is
collected in customer rates with the actual costs to run and deliver the programs. Avista's energy efficiency
programs are designed to provide a financial incentive or rebate for cost-effective energy efficiency
measures. The Commission approves the amount of funding for these important programs through a portion
of energy rates. The rate increase proposed reflects the higher level of funding needed to operate the
programs in the coming years. If approved, Avista's request is designed to increase natural gas revenues by
approximately $2.6 million or 3.0%o.
Customer Bills
Natural Gas
If the natural gas PGA and the Energy Efficiency filings are approved, residential natural gas customers in
Idaho using an average of 63 therms per month would see their monthly bills increase from $61.30 to
$70.52, an increase of $9.22 per month, or approximately l5.0Yo. The proposed natural gas rate changes
would be effective Nov. 1, 2022.
The net effect, on an annual revenue basis, for the requested natural gas rate changes by rate schedule are:
General Service - Schedule l0l
Large General Service - Schedules I I I & I 12
Transportation Service - Schedule 146
Overall
ts.0%
18.3%
0.0%
15.7%
Rate Application Procedure
The Company's applications are proposals, subject to public review and a Commission decision. Copies of
the applications are available for public review at the offices of both the Commission and Avista, and on
the Commission's website (www.puc.idaho.gov). Customers may file with the Commission written
comments related to the Company's filings. Customers may also subscribe to the Commission's RSS feed
l/www to receive periodic updates via e-mail about the case. Copies
of rate filings are also available on our website,www.myavi sta. com/rates.
If you would like to submit comments on the proposed rate change, you can do so by going to the
Commission website or mailing comments to:
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
Avista offers a uumber of programs and services to help customers manage their energy use and costs. Visit
www.myavista.com for information on these programs which include Comfort Level Billing, bill palment
options, automated palment senrice, assistance programs, conservation tips, and enerry efficiency rebates.
AVA544i
AYISTA UTILMIES
Case No. AVIJ-G-22-0 b
DGIIBIT "C"
Copy of Press Release and Customer Notice
Gontact:
Media: Casey Fielder [phone] [e-mail]
lnvestors: Stacey Wenz (509) 495-41 71, [e-mail]
Avista 2417 Media Access [phone]
Avista Makes Price Adjustment Requests in Washington and ldaho
Overall changes in electric and naturalgas prices would be effective November 1, 2022
SPOKANE, Wash. September 2,2022,4:05 p.m. PST: Avista (NYSE: AVA) has made annual
rate adjustment filings with the utility commissions in Washington and ldaho that, if approved, will
result in an increase in electric and natural gas rates in Washington and natural gas rates in ldaho,
effective November 1, 2022
Washington Electric Adjustment Filings
Two electric adjustments were filed, that if approved, are designed to change overall electric
revenues as follows:
1. Wildfire Expense Balancing: increase of approximately $5.1 million or 0.9%2. Residential Exchange Program: decrease of approximately $0.2 million or 0.1o/o
Washington Natura! Gas Adjustment Filing
The natural gas adjustment request is the annual natural gas Purchased Gas Cost Adjustment, lf
approved, Avista's request is designed to increase overall naturalgas revenues by approximately
$25.0 million or 12.3o/o.
ldaho Natural Gas Adjustment Fitings
Two natural gas adjustments were filed, that if approved, are designed to change overall natural
gas revenues as follows:1. Purchased Gas Cost Adjustment: increase of approximately $1 1.2 million or 12.7o/o2. Natural Gas Energy Efficiency: increase of approximately $2.6 million or 3.0%
Purchased Gas Cost Adjustment (PGA) - Washington and ldaho Natural Gas
PGA requests are typically filed annually to balance the actual cost of wholesale natural gas
purchased by Avista to serve customers with the amount presently included in customer's rates.
Avista does not make a profit on, or markup, the wholesale cost of natural gas; PGAs ensure
customers pay what Avista pays, dollar for dollar, only at a more predictable and stable rate
throughout the year. About 55% of an Avista natural gas customer's bill is the combined cost of
purchasing natural gas on the wholesale market and transporting it to Avista's system.
This rate adjustment is driven primarily by higher wholesale natural gas prices. Since the last
annual PGA filings were made in2021, the price of wholesale natural gas increased with dramatic
sustained increases beginning in late March 2022, with prices reaching levels not seen in over 13
years.
Wildfi re Balancing - Washington Electric
The Wildfire Expense Balancing account tracks the difference in wildfire expenses incurred by
Avista to address the growing frequency of extreme and dangerous wildfires in Avista's service
territory to the base level of expense approved by the Commission. The difference is rebated to
or collected from customers annually. The rate increase proposed today reflects the higher level
of expense incurred above the approved amount.
Residential Exchange Program - Washington Electric
The ResidentialExchange Program provides a share of the benefits of the federalColumbia River
power system to the residential and small farm customers of the investor-owned utilities in the
Pacific Northwest, including Avista. Avista applies the benefits it receives, which typically fluctuate
from year to year, to customers as a credit in their monthly electric rates. Due to fluctuations in
usage, Avista rebated to customers a level of benefits that was slightly lower than the level of
benefits received from BPA. Through this filing Avista is seeking to slightly increase the level of
benefits provided to qualifying customers in order to return the under-rebated balance.
Energy Efficiency Adjustment - ldaho Natura! Gas
The energy efficiency adjustment is related to the funding of Avista's natural gas energy efficiency
programs. This adjustment aligns the amount that is collected in customer rates with the actual
costs to run and deliver the programs. Avista's energy efficiency programs are designed to
provide a financial incentive or rebate for cost-effective energy efficiency measures. The
Commission approves the amount of funding for these important programs through a portion of
energy rates. The rate increase proposed reflects the higher level of funding needed to operate
the programs in the coming years.
Electric Customer Bills
Washington: lf approved, residential glecfiig customers in Washington using an average of 932
kilowatt hours per month would see their monthly bills change from $85.07 to $85.87, an increase
of $0.80 per month, or approximately 0.9%.
lf approved, residential electric customers would see the following rate adjustments:
Residential Service - Schedule 1 & 2
General Service - Schedules 11 & 12
Large GeneralService - Schedules 21 &22
Extra Large GeneralService - Schedule 25 &251
Pumping Service - Schedules 31 &32
Street & Area Lights - Schedules 4148
Overall
0.9%
O.9o/o
0.9%
0.9%
0.9%
0.9%
0.9%
Natural Gas Customer Bills
Washington: lf approved, residential natural oas customers using an average of 67 therms per
month would see their monthly bills change from $72.66 to $81.59, an increase of $8.93 per
month, or approximately 12.3o/o.
The percentage change varies by rate schedule and is dependent upon how much energy
customers on the respective rate schedules use. lf approved, natural gas customers would see
the following rate adjustments:
General Service - Schedule 101 & 102
Large General Service - Schedule 111 & 112
lnterruptible Sales Service - Schedule 131 & 132
Transportation Service - Schedule 146
Overall
12.1o/o
14.4o/o
3.5o/o
0.0%
12.30/o
ldaho: lf approved, residential natural oas customers using an average of 63 therms per month
would see their monthly bills change from $61.30 to $70.52, an increase of $9.22 per month, or
approximately 15.0%.
The percentage change varies by rate schedule and is dependent upon how much energy
customers on the respective rate schedules use. lf approved, natural gas customers would see
the following rate adjustments:
General Service - Schedule 101 15.0o/o
Large General Service - Schedule 111 & 112 18.3%
lntenuptible Sales Service - Schedule 131 & 132 0.0%
Transportation Service - Schedule 146 0.0%Overall 15.7o/o
To help customers proactively manage their energy use, Avista offers services to those who may
need and qualifies for assistance in managing their energy bills such as comfort level billing,
payment arrangements and special circumstantial referrals to area agencies and churches for
help with housing, utilities, medical assistance and other needs. Avista also provides funding for
energy assistance programs which are administered through community action agencies.
Energy efficiency and outreach programs are also offered which include rebates and incentives
as well as tips and resources to help customers manage their energy use and energy bills.
Customers can leam more at www.mvavista.com.
About Avista Gorp.
Avista Corp. is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of
energy as well as other energy-related businesses. Avista Utilities is our operating division that
provides electric service to 408,000 customers and natural gas to 375,000 customers. Our
service territory covers 30,000 square miles in eastem Washington, northern ldaho and parts of
southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.7 million. AERC is an Avista subsidiary
that, through its subsidiary AEL&P, provides retail electric service to 17,000 customers in the
city and borough of Juneau, Alaska. Our stock is traded under the ticker symbol 'AVA". For
more information about Avista, please visit www.avistacoro.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the company's cunent
expectations. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than historical facts. Such
statements speak only as of the date of the news release and are subject to a variety of risks
and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control, which could cause actual
results to differ materially from the expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, in
addition to those discussed herein, al! of the factors discussed in the company's and the
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, and its Annual Report on
Form 1 0-K for the year ended Dec. 31 , 2021.
Avista Corp. and the Avista Corp. logo are trademarks of Avista Corporation.
SOURCE: Avista Corporation
-2226-
To unsubscribe fiom Avista's news release distribution, send a reply message to
lena.fu [e-mail]
.iiststa
Important Notice for Idaho Customers DRAFT
(September 2022)
Avista has filed two rate adjustment requests with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (Commission),
that if approved, are designed to increase overall natural gas revenue by approximately $13.8 million or
15.7o/o effective Nov. l, 2022.These filings have no impact on Avista's eamings.
The lirst adjustrnent is related to the annual Purchased Gas Cost Adjustment (PGA) filing. The PGA is
filed each year to balance the actual cost of wholesale natural gas purchased by Avista to serve customers
with the amount included in rates. This includes the natural gas commodity cost as well as the cost to
transport natural gas on interstate pipelines to Avista's local distribution system. The increase is primarily
driven by the increase in wholesale natural gas costs that were higher than the level included in rates during
the past year. If approved, Avista's request is designed to increase annual natural gas revenues by
approximately $l1.2 million or l23Yu
The second filing is the natural gas Energy Efficiency frling. The energy efficiency adjustment is related to
the funding of Avista's natural gas enerry effrciency programs. This adjustment aligns the amount that is
collected in customer rates with the actual costs to run and deliver the programs. Avista's energy efficiency
programs are designed to provide a financial incentive or rebate for cost-effective energy efficiency
measures. The Commission approves the amount of funding for these important programs through a portion
of energy rates. The rate increase proposed reflects the higher level of funding needed to operate the
programs in the coming years. If approved, Avista's request is designed to increase natural gas revenues by
approximately $2.6 million or 3.0%o.
Customer Bills
Natural Gas
If the natural gas PGA and the Energy Efficiency filings are approved, residential natural gas customers in
Idaho using an average of 63 therms per month would see their monthly bills increase from $61.30 to
$70.52, an increase of $9.22 per month, or approximately 15.0%o. The proposed natural gas rate changes
would be effective Nov. l, 2022.
The net effect, on an annual revenue basis, for the requested natural gas rate changes by rate schedule are:
General Service - Schedule l0l
Large General Service - Schedules ll1 & ll2
Transportation Service - Schedule 146
Overall
15.0%
183%
0.0%
15.7%
Rate Application Procedure
The Company's applications are proposals, subject to public review and a Commission decision. Copies of
the applications are available for public review at the offices of both the Commission and Avista, and on
the Commission's website (www.puc.idaho.eov). Customers may file with the Commission written
comments related to the Company's filings. Customers may also subscribe to the Commission's RSS feed
(http://www.puc.idaho.sovirssfeeds/rss.htm) to receive periodic updates via e-mail about the case. Copies
of rate frlings are also available on our website, www.rnyavista.conr/rates.
If you would like to submit comments on the proposed rate change, you can do so by going to the
Commission website or mailing comments to:
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
Avista offers a ntrmber of programs and se,ndces to help custom€rs manage their energy use and costs. Visit
www.myavista.com for information on these prograflN which include Comfort Level Billing, bill paynent
options, automated payment se,nrice, assistance programs, consenration tips, and energy efficiency rebates.
AVASrt4i