20230627Decision 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 27, 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, 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.

DECISION MEMORANDUM 2
MOTION FOR APPROVAL
On June 14, 2023, Staff and the Company filed a Stipulation and Settlement (“Settlement”),
and a Motion for Approval of Stipulation and Settlement (“Motion”). The Stipulation and
Settlement is signed by Staff, the Company, and intervenors Clearwater Paper Corporation, Idaho
Forest Group LLC, and Walmart Inc. Intervenors Idaho Conservation League and NW Energy
Coalition did not sign the Settlement.
The Motion requests that the Commission revise the procedural schedule to set the deadline
for filing testimony in support of, or in opposition to, the Settlement on July 12, 2023, and set a
July 26, 2023, deadline for any rebuttal testimony by the signing parties.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to revise the procedural schedule as set forth in the Motion?

__________________________
Chris Burdin
Deputy Attorney General

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