20230307Comments(12)_12.pdf

From:PUCWeb Notification
To:Jan Noriyuki
Subject:Notice: A comment was submitted to PUCWeb
Date:Tuesday, March 7, 2023 7:00:14 AM
The following comments were submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Bill Irving
Submission Time: Mar 6 2023 5:23PMEmail: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]Address: 839 W Viola Ln
Coeur D Alene, ID 83815-6030
Name of Utility Company: Avista Utilities
Case ID: AVU-E-32-01
Comment: "I'm a 70-year-old retired man, living in Coeur d'Alene. I understand that Avista isrequesting to raise gas and electricity rates by 20% over the next two years. My electricity rate
just went up 7.7% a month or so ago, yet like most people on a fixed income, I use lesselectricity than most others. I'm opposed to Avista being allowed to have higher fixed monthly
costs, which disproportionally charge customers like myself more than others. Also, steepprice increases that Avista is requesting are, in part, one of the well-established risks of an
energy system reliant on volatile fossil fuel markets. Due to my inability to pay such steepfossil fuel-related price increases, I urge the Commission to continue to push Avista to
transition as quickly as possible to safe, clean and renewable energy systems. "
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Name: Amy FlintSubmission Time: Mar 6 2023 5:34PM
Email: [e-mail]: 208-946-8188
Address: 2017 Joshua CourtSandpoint, ID 83864
Name of Utility Company: Amy Flint
Case ID: AVU-E-32-01
Comment: "I'm concerned about Avista's proposed rate increase for two reasons: 1. Higher
fixed monthly costs disproportionately charge low and fixed income customers who generallyuse less electricity and gas. This is both unfair and unacceptable. 2. Steep price increases are,
in part, one of the well established risks of an energy system reliant on volatile fossil fuelmarkets. Avista already claims to use 60% renewable energy. They need to increase that level
to conserve energy and transition to a renewable-focused grid. This increase does not supportthat goal and places an undue burden on customers. "
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Name: Lexie de Fremery
Submission Time: Mar 6 2023 5:54PMEmail: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]Address: 914 Cattail Ct.
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Case ID: AVU-E-32-01
Comment: "Please do not permit the fixed monthly fee to be increased. An increase in thefixed rate has its biggest impact on those who can least afford it. Thank you."
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Name: Jeff Masy
Submission Time: Mar 6 2023 6:10PMEmail: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]Address: 4403 Turk Lane
Athol, ID 83801
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Case ID: AVU-E-32-01
Comment: "Please do not raise electric and gas rates for Idaho… this contributes to increasingexpenses for underserved people for essential services "
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Name: LINDA LARSON
Submission Time: Mar 6 2023 6:30PMEmail: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]Address: 607 S DIVISION AVE
SANDPOINT, ID 83864
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Case ID: AVU-E-32-01
Comment: "I am very concerned about the rate increases proposed by Avista. I am on a fixedincome as are most of my neighbors and friends. When the increase is made by increasing the
base rate, it disproportionately affects people like me. I use a small amount of powercompared to someone with a large house who has a much bigger income than I do. I also want
Avista to invest in power sources other than fossil fuels so that our power rates are notaffected by their unpredictable supply. Renewable energy prices would be much more stable.
Please do what you can to make a more progressive rate schedule and to increase renewable
energy."
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Name: Judith ButlerSubmission Time: Mar 6 2023 9:23PM
Email: [e-mail]: 208-264-5225
Address: 140 Monarch View Lane Hope , ID 83836
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Case ID: AVU-E-32-01
Comment: " Avista is proposing to increase my energy bill by 20% over the next two years.
This steep price increase may be one of the well established risks of an energy system relianton volatile fossil fuel markets. We must end our reliance on Fossil Fuels. Just because we are
blessed with cheaper electricity production should not absolve Avista of investing inrenewable energy like solar and wind energy which keep declining in price. Where is Avista’s
Commitment to a sustainable future?"
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Name: Judith ButlerSubmission Time: Mar 6 2023 9:24PM
Email: [e-mail]: 208-264-5224
Address: 140 Monarch View Lane Hope , ID 83836
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Case ID: AVU-E-32-01
Comment: " Avista is proposing to increase my energy bill by 20% over the next two years.
This steep price increase may be one of the well established risks of an energy system relianton volatile fossil fuel markets. We must end our reliance on Fossil Fuels. Just because we are
blessed with cheaper electricity production should not absolve Avista of investing inrenewable energy like solar and wind energy which keep declining in price. Where is Avista’s
Commitment to a sustainable future?"
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Name: Dawn KeurSubmission Time: Mar 6 2023 9:49PM
Email: [e-mail]: 208-263-0474
Address: P. O. Box 2419Sandpoint, ID 83864
Name of Utility Company: Avista gas Northern Lights electric
Case ID: AVU-E-32-01
Comment: " Higher fixed monthly costs disproportionately charge low and fixed income
customers who generally use less electricity and gas. Steep price increases are, in part, one of the well established risks of an energy system reliant on volatile fossil fuel markets. "
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Name: Gabrielle Duebendorfer
Submission Time: Mar 6 2023 11:46PMEmail: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]Address: 436 St Clair
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Case ID: AVU-E-32-01
Comment: "Your proposed fixed price increase will be a hardship for low and fixed income customers. The real reason for the need of steep rate increases is the reliance on volatile and
unpredictable and increasingly unsustainable fossil fuels for energy. Please do consider switching to more stable, sustainable alternative energy sources instead of passing the costs of
these outdated policies on to low and middle income families. "
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From:PUCWeb Notification
To:Jan Noriyuki
Subject:Notice: A comment was submitted to PUCWeb
Date:Tuesday, March 7, 2023 8:00:17 AM
The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Jeanne Bond
Submission Time: Mar 7 2023 7:40AMEmail: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]Address: 70 Park LN
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Case ID: AVU-E-32-01
Comment: "Please do not consider Avista’s request to raise their rates by up to 20%. As senior citizens we are in a fixed income e and already stressed financially with food costs. The rate
increase would be a severe jolt to our budget. I understand their costs have gone up but ours have dramatically increased all aspects of living. Thank you for your consideration of this
request."
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From:PUCWeb Notification
To:Jan Noriyuki
Subject:Notice: A comment was submitted to PUCWeb
Date:Tuesday, March 7, 2023 11:00:07 AM
The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Steven Sanchez
Submission Time: Mar 7 2023 10:55AMEmail: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]Address: 967 Kirby Mountain Road
Hope, ID 83836
Name of Utility Company: Avista Utilities
Case ID: AVU-E-32-01
Comment: "Greetings, I am writing today to urge the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to deny or greatly reduce the requested fixed price increases by Avista Utilities. Higher fixed
monthly costs disproportionately charge low and fixed income customers who generally use less electricity and gas. Avista also needs to reduce its reliance on coal and natural gas-fired
power plants because steep price increases are, in part, one of the well established risks of an energy system reliant on volatile fossil fuel markets. From Avista's own press release dated
February 22, 2023: "Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA) today reported net income of $155.2 million, or $2.12 per diluted share, for the year ended Dec. 31, 2022, compared to $147.3 million, or
$2.10 per diluted share, for the year ended Dec. 31, 2021... “'Our 2022 consolidated earnings were better than our expectations, due to significant increases in the fair value of certain non-
regulated investments,' said Avista President and CEO Dennis Vermillion." "We are confirming our 2023 consolidated earnings guidance with a range of $2.27 to $2.47 per diluted
share,” Vermillion added. (https://investor.avistacorp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/avista-corp-reports-financial-results-fourth-quarter-and-9) Avista has already provided
guidance of even higher profits based on their applications to the WA and ID PUC's! Please do not allow Avista's profits to rise on the backs of low and fixed income families. Thank you
for your consideration in this matter, Steve Sanchez Hope, ID "
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March 1, 2023
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
Re: Case No. AVU-E-23-01
Dear Commission:
I am shocked at the requested rate hike for residential electric service and am seriously concerned how
this rate hike will impact many areas of Idaho where people struggle daily to pay utilities throughout the
Winter months and into Spring. Granted Avista does offer programs for its customers, but many are on
the edge of qualifying for these programs.
In my opinion a fair increase at this time would be half of what they are asking for Residential -schedule
1 and limiting the Basic Monthly fee increase to $11.00. In addition, the increase in the Street & Area
Lights -Schedule 41-49, that cost will filter down to residents that live in some towns as it is added to
the monthly bill for services provided.
For those on a fixed and stagnant income, the proposed increases can create more of a burden for many
individuals to pay bills and put food on their tables. I hope the Commission considers the many factors
of the proposed increases and comes to a fair and equitable resolution for all.
Sincerely,
Diane Smythe
304 S A Street
PO Box 354
Grangeville, ID 83530