20230816Order_on_Request_for_Remote_Testimony_Order_No_35883.pdf

ORDER NO. 35883 1
Office of the Secretary
Service Date
August 16, 2023
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF AVISTA CORPORATION FOR THE
AUTHORITY TO INCREASE ITS RATES
AND CHARGES FOR ELECTRIC AND
NATURAL GAS SERVICE TO ELECTRIC
AND NATURAL GAS CUSTOMERS IN THE
STATE OF IDAHO
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CASE NOS. AVU-E-23-01
AVU-G-23-01

ORDER ON REQUEST FOR
REMOTE TESTIMONY

ORDER NO. 35883

On February 1, 2023, Avista Corporation (“Company”) filed an application
(“Application”) with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”) requesting
authorization to increase its rates for both Electric and Natural Gas service. The Company
requested a September 1, 2023, effective date.
On February 21, 2023, the Commission issued a Notice of Application and Notice of
Intervention Deadline. Order No. 35684. Subsequently, the Commission granted intervention to
Clearwater Paper Corporation, Idaho Forest Group LLC, Walmart Inc., and the Idaho
Conservation League and NW Energy Coalition jointly. Order Nos. 35704, 35713, and 35719.
On April 12, 2023, the Commission issued a Notice of Schedule, Notice of Virtual Public
Workshop, and Notice of Technical Hearing. Order No. 35736. The Commission set a June 14,
2023, Commission Staff (“Staff”) and Intervenor written testimony deadline, and a July 12, 2023,
Company Rebuttal written testimony deadline. Id.
On June 1, 2023, Staff, the Company, and all Intervenors participated in a settlement
conference. Based upon that settlement conference, on June 6, 2023, Staff requested that the
Commission vacate the deadlines for written testimony, and the Commission issued an Order
Vacating Testimony Deadlines. Order No. 35808.
On June 14, 2023, Staff and the Company filed a Stipulation and Settlement (“Proposed
Settlement”), and a Motion for Approval of Stipulation and Settlement. The Proposed Settlement
was signed by Staff, the Company, and intervenors Clearwater Paper Corporation, Idaho Forest
Group LLC, and Walmart Inc. (“Signing Parties”). Intervenors Idaho Conservation League and
NW Energy Coalition (“ICL/NWEC”) did not sign the Proposed Settlement. The Signing Parties
requested that the Commission revise the procedural schedule to set the deadline for filing
ORDER NO. 35883 2
testimony in support of, or in opposition to, the Proposed Settlement on July 12, 2023, and set a
July 26, 2023, deadline for any rebuttal testimony by the Signing Parties.
On July 6, 2023, the Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Settlement, Notice of
Amended Schedule, Notice of Customer Hearings, Notice of Technical Hearing, and Notice of
Public Comment Deadline. Order No. 35844. The Commission set an initial testimony filing date
of July 12, 2023, and a rebuttal testimony filing date of July 26, 2023. Id. The Commission
scheduled customer hearings in Lewiston and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on July 25, 2023, and a
customer hearing in Sandpoint, Idaho, on July 26, 2023. The Commission also set a July 26, 2023,
deadline for public comments on the Proposed Settlement.
On July 24, 2023, ICL/NWEC filed a Request for Permission for ICL/NWEC’s witness
Lauren McCloy to Appear Remotely (“Motion”).
On August 1, 2023, the Commission considered ICL/NWEC’s Motion during the
Commission’s decision meeting. The Commission noted the importance of in-person attendance
for hearings, and the Commission emphasized the necessity of having an in-person opportunity to
cross-examine and question a witness by all parties and the Commission. The Commission noted
that other options were available for parties to submit testimony, including sponsoring the
testimony of unavailable witnesses, and the Commission denied the Motion. The Commission
notes that on August 2, 2023, the Commission held a technical hearing in this case. ICL/NWEC
witness Brad Heusinkveld appeared in person at the hearing and sponsored the prefiled direct
testimony of Lauren McCloy. For purposes of the record, the Commission now issues this written
order in conformity with its August 1, 2023, decision.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that ICL/NWEC’s Motion is denied.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that parties comply with Order No. 35375, issued April 21,
2022. Generally, all pleadings should be filed with the Commission electronically and will be
deemed timely filed when received by the Commission Secretary. See Rule 14.02. Service between
parties should continue to be accomplished electronically when possible. However, voluminous
discovery-related documents may be filed and served on CD-ROM or a USB flash drive.

ORDER NO. 35883 3
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 16th day of
August 2023.

__________________________________________
ERIC ANDERSON, PRESIDENT

__________________________________________
JOHN R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER

__________________________________________
EDWARD LODGE, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

_________________________________
Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secretary

I:\Legal\ELECTRIC\AVUE2301_G2301_Rates\orders\Order_Mot_cb.docx