20230103Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM 1
I:\Legal\ELECTRIC\AVUE2216_AVUG2208_Pension Plans\memos\AVUE2216_AVUG2208_dec_cs.docx
DECISION MEMORANDUM

TO: COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSIONER CHATBURN
COMMISSIONER HAMMOND
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF

FROM: CLAIRE SHARP
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL

DATE: JANUARY 3, 2023

SUBJECT: IN THE MATTER OF AVISTA CORPORATION’S PETITION FOR AN
ORDER AUTHORIZING DEFERRAL ACCOUNTING AND
ACCOUNTING ORDER RELATED TO NON-CONTRIBUTORY
DEFINED BENEFIT PENSIONS PLANS; CASE NOS. AVU-E-22-16 and
AVU-G-22-08.

On December 6, 2022, Avista Corporation dba Avista Utilities (“Company”) petitioned
requesting the Commission issue an accounting order allowing it to defer impacts related to
pension events and amortize the impacts from the deferred pension events as a regulatory asset or
liability (“Petition”). The Company states this proposed accounting treatment would not impact
customers, but “continue to allow recovery of these costs consistent with recovery in rates today.”
Petition at 9. The Company requests that the Applications be processed by Modified Procedure.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Due to the similarities in each Petition, Staff recommends processing the Petitions together.
Staff also recommends that the Commission issue a Notice of Petition and Notice of Modified
Procedure establishing a January 31, 2023, public comment deadline with a February 7, 2023,
Company reply comment deadline.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to process the Petitions together? Does the Commission also
wish to issue a Notice of Petition and Notice of Modified Procedure establishing a January 31,
2023, public comment deadline with a February 7, 2023, Company reply comment deadline?

Claire Sharp
Deputy Attorney General