20210719Statement of Position.pdf

AVU-E-21-01/AVU-G-21-01 ICL STATEMENT OF POSITION 1 July 19, 2021
Benjamin J. Otto (ISB No. 8292) 710 N 6th Street Boise, ID 83701 Ph: [phone] x 112
[e-mail] Attorney for the Idaho Conservation League 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 CUSTOMERS IN THE STATE OF
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CASE NO. AVU-E-21-01 CASE NO: AVU-G-21-01 IDAHO CONSERVATION LEAGUE STATEMENT OF POSITION

The Idaho Conservation League submits the following Statement of pursuant to IDAPA
Rule 31.01.01.255. The Commission granted ICL’s intervenor status in Order No. 34940. As a
party, ICL focused on Avista’s proposed spending at the Colstrip coal-plant. The utility’s
Integrated Resource Plan indicates that exiting Colstrip by 2022 is the economic choice for
Idaho, although due to “contractual complexities” Avista plans to exit by 2025.1 One of these
“complexities” is for the six plant-owners, each with differing assumed lifespans, to agree on
spending that could prolong the life or is necessary maintenance. Through negotiations, ICL
achieved a settlement term that reduces ratebase by over $2 million and reduces annual rates by
$36,000 by unnecessary costs at Colstrip.2 This settlement term is in the public interest because
it mitigates ratepayer costs as Avista transitions to cleaner energy options allowing the utility to
“maintain such service, instruments, equipment and facilities as shall promote the safety, health,
comfort, and convenience of . . the public”. Idaho Code § 61-302. ICL recommends the
Commission approve the Settlement.

Respectfully submitted this 19th day of July 2021.
/s/ Benjamin Otto__ Idaho Conservation League
1 Avista 2021 IRP Preferred Resource Strategy Update at page 4, (filed 4/30/2021). Available at: file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/Avista%20Electric%202021%20IRP%20PRS%20Update%20(1).pdf 2 See Andrews Testimony in Support of Stipulation at page 11, foot note 4.
RECEIVED
2021 July 19, PM 12:36
IDAHO PUBLIC
UTILITIES COMMISSION

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE July 19, 2021
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certify that on the 19th day of July, 2021, I served the foregoing STATEMENT OF POSITION to the following: /s/ Benjamin Otto
Electronic Mail only: Idaho Public Utilities Commission Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secretary [e-mail] [e-mail] John Hammond
Deputy Attorney General [e-mail] Avista Utilities David J. Meyer, Esq.
Patrick D. Erhbar [e-mail] [e-mail] [e-mail]
Walmart Vicki M. Bladwin Norman M. Semanko Parsons Behle & Latimer
[e-mail]
[e-mail] Steve W. Chriss Walmart, Inc
[e-mail]

Idaho Forest Group Ronald L. Williams
Williams Bradbury PC [e-mail] Larry A. Crowley Energy Strategies Institute
[e-mail]
Clearwater Paper Peter J Richardson Richardson Adams Pllc
[e-mail] Dr. Don Reading [e-mail]
[e-mail] [e-mail] [e-mail]
CAPAI
Brad Purdy, Attorney at Law [e-mail]