20230606Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM 1
DECISION MEMORANDUM

TO: COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSIONER HAMMOND
COMMISSIONER LODGE
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL

FROM: CHRIS BURDIN
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL

DATE: JUNE 6, 2023

SUBJECT: 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; CASE NOS.
AVU-E-23-01; AVU-G-23-01.

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, Staff believes that a settlement has been
reached in principle; however, at this time a full Settlement is not ready to file with the Commission
for approval.

DECISION MEMORANDUM 2
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Commission vacate the June 14, 2023, Staff and Intervenor
testimony deadline, and the July 12, 2023, Company rebuttal testimony deadline until such time
as either a Settlement is filed, or Staff informs the Commission that a Settlement will not be filed;
at which time the Commission would reschedule testimony deadlines.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to vacate the existing deadlines for Staff and Intervenor direct
testimony, and Company rebuttal testimony?

__________________________
Chris Burdin
Deputy Attorney General

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