The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About20230918Notice_of_Application_Order_No_35926.pdf NOTICE OF APPLICATION NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE ORDER NO. 35926 1 Office of the Secretary Service Date September 18, 2023 BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF AVISTA UTILITIES FOR AN ORDER APPROVING A CHANGE IN RATES FOR PURCHASED GAS COSTS AND AMORTIZATION OF GAS-RELATED DEFERRAL BALANCES ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) CASE NO. AVU-G-23-06 NOTICE OF APPLICATION NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE ORDER NO. 35926 On September 1, 2023, Avista Corporation d/b/a/ Avista Utilities (“Company”) filed its annual Purchased Gas Cost Adjustment (“PGA”) application (“Application”) with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”) requesting a change in rates for purchased gas costs and amortization of gas-related deferral balances. The Company represents that, if approved, the Company’s annual revenue will increase by approximately $5.4 million, or about 5.0%. The Company requests a November 1, 2023, effective date. NOTICE OF APPLICATION YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that in its Application, the Company proposes to: (1) pass any change in the estimated cost of natural gas for the period of November 2023 through October 2024 (Tariff Schedule 150); and (2) revise the amortization rate(s) to refund or collect the balance of deferred gas costs (Tariff Schedule 155). The Company proposes to change its PGA rates in this case for its customer classes as follows: Application at 2-3. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company’s commodity costs are the variable costs at which the Company must buy natural gas. The weighted average cost of gas (“WACOG”) is an estimate of those costs. The Company estimates the WACOG change is a decrease of NOTICE OF APPLICATION NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE ORDER NO. 35926 2 $0.06236 per therm; representing the proposed WACOG of $0.28834 per therm compared to the present WACOG of $0.35070 per therm included in rates. Id. at 3. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company’s demand costs primarily are costs to transport gas on interstate pipelines to the Company’s local distribution system and fixed costs associated with storage. Id. at 4. The Company represents that demand costs are expected to decrease for residential customers by approximately $0.00354 per therm. Id. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company represents that the proposed amortization rate change for Schedule 101 and Schedule 111 is an increase in revenue of $0.12118 per therm. Id. The Company States that the current rate applicable to Schedule 101 and Schedule 111 is $0.13163 per therm in the surcharge direction, and the proposed rate is $0.25281 per therm in the surcharge direction. Id. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company represents that if the Application is approved as filed, the Company’s annual revenue will increase by approximately $5.4 million, or 5.0% effective November 1, 2023. Id. The Company represents that residential or small commercial customers using an average of 64 therms per month would see an increase of $3.54 per month, or approximately 4.7%. Id. at 4-5. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company represents that customers will be given notice of the Application by posting at each of the Company’s district offices in Idaho, by press release distributed to various informational agencies, and by delivery to customers as inserts in monthly bills in the September timeframe. Id. at 2. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application is available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission’s office. The Application is also available on the Commission’s website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on the “NATURAL GAS” icon, select “Open Cases,” and click on the case number as shown on the front of this document. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held pursuant to the Commission’s jurisdiction under Title 61 of the Idaho Code, and that all proceedings in this matter will be conducted pursuant to the Commission’s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq. NOTICE OF APPLICATION NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE ORDER NO. 35926 3 NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined that the public interest may not require a formal hearing in this matter, and that it will proceed under Modified Procedure pursuant to the Commission’s Rules of Procedure 201-204, IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204. The Commission notes that Modified Procedure and written comments have proven to be an effective means for obtaining public input and participation. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons desiring to state a position on this Application may file a written comment explaining why the person supports or opposes the Application. Persons who would like a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written comments and explain why written comments alone are insufficient. Persons interested in filing written comments must do so by October 17, 2023. Comments must be filed through the Commission’s website or by e-mail unless computer access is unavailable. To comment electronically, please access the Commission’s website at http://www.puc.idaho.gov/. Click the “Case Comment Form” and complete the form using the case number as it appears on the front of this document. To file by e-mail, persons must e-mail the comments to the Commission Secretary and the Company at the e-mail addresses listed below. If computer access is unavailable, then comments may be mailed to the Commission and Company at these addresses: For the Idaho Public Utilities Commission: Commission Secretary Idaho Public Utilities Commission P.O. Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0074 secretary@puc.idaho.gov Street Address for Express Mail: 11331 W. Chinden Blvd. Building 8, Suite 201-A Boise, ID 83714 For the Company: David J. Meyer, Esq. Patrick Ehrbar P.O. Box 3727 1411 E. Mission Ave Spokane, WA 99220-3727 david.meyer@avistacorp.com patrick.ehrbar@avistacorp.com dockets@avistacorp.com YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company must file any reply comments by October 20, 2023. NOTICE OF APPLICATION NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE ORDER NO. 35926 4 YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are received within the time limit set, the Commission will consider this matter on its merits and enter its final order without a formal hearing. If written comments are received within the time limit set, the Commission will consider them and, in its discretion, may set the same for formal hearing. ORDER IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Company’s filing be processed by Modified Procedure, Rules 201-204 (IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204). Persons interested in filing written comments must do so by October 17, 2023. The Company must file any reply comments by October 20, 2023. 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. DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 18th day of September 2023. __________________________________________ ERIC ANDERSON, PRESIDENT __________________________________________ JOHN R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER __________________________________________ EDWARD LODGE, COMMISSIONER ATTEST: ___________________________________ Jan Noriyuki Commission Secretary I:\Legal\GAS\AVU-G-23-06_PGA\orders\AVUG2306_Ntc_App_Mod_cb.docx