On-time filing begins FERC phase of relicensing process
SPOKANE, Wash., Aug. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA)
has submitted its Spokane River hydroelectric license applications to the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The applications cover five
existing hydroelectric developments on the Spokane River including Post Falls,
Upper Falls, Monroe Street, Nine Mile and Long Lake. FERC will now begin its
review of the applications.
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The license applications were due by August 1. Avista's current license
for the Spokane River Project expires August 1, 2007. If granted, a new
license would have a term of 30 to 50 years.
Avista has proposed a number of measures intended to address impacts of
the dams and enhance resources associated with the river. These measures
reflect a three-year collaborative process involving hundreds of area
stakeholders. This pre-filing consultation was conducted through the
Alternative Licensing Process, approved for this project by FERC in June 2002.
Some examples of the proposed measures would:
-- Support enhancements of fishery resources in Coeur d'Alene Lake, the
Spokane River, and Lake Spokane.
-- Double the required minimum discharge from Post Falls Dam in order to
protect fish in the Spokane River and support water quality
improvements downstream, while supporting the Coeur d'Alene Lake level
for summer recreation.
-- Enhance recreational opportunities from Coeur d'Alene Lake to Lake
Spokane.
-- Support water quality improvement efforts in the Spokane River, Lake
Spokane and Coeur d'Alene Lake.
-- Enhance the natural beauty of the river and falls in Spokane and Post
Falls through aesthetic flows.
Although the five projects are currently licensed as a single project,
Avista has asked FERC to consider a separate license for Post Falls.
"Post Falls presents complex issues that may take longer to resolve than
those dealing with the rest of the project," said Bruce Howard, Avista's
Spokane River license manager. "While issues downstream are also complex, we
feel we are closer to finding ways to resolve them with most parties. Should
that occur, we could get on with many of our proposed measures in a timely
manner. However, our goal is to resolve the issues for Post Falls and the
downstream dams as quickly as possible."
FERC will now begin a review process that includes opportunities for
additional consultation and public input. In addition to its own review, FERC
will seek proposed terms and conditions from resource agencies and tribes.
Some of these conditions may be mandatory for FERC's inclusion in any new
license.
Avista will continue to work with stakeholders during this review period.
"A number of people put in a tremendous amount of effort on this process and
we appreciate that contribution very much," Howard said. "We were disappointed
that we weren't able to resolve all the issues in an agreement before we
filed, but we're not done trying and we intend to keep working toward an
agreement."
About Avista
Avista Corp. is an energy company involved in the production, transmission
and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses. Avista
Utilities is a company operating division that provides service to 330,000
electric and 285,000 natural gas customers in three western states. Avista's
non-regulated subsidiaries include Avista Advantage and Avista Energy. Avista
Corp.'s stock is traded under the ticker symbol "AVA." For more information
about Avista, please visit http://www.avistacorp.com.
NOTE: Avista Corp. and the Avista Corp. logo are trademarks of Avista
Corporation.
SOURCE Avista Corp.
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Related links:
http://www.avistacorp.com
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CONTACT:
Media, Hugh Imhof, +1-509-495-4264, or
hugh.imhof@avistacorp.com, or Investors, Jason Lang,
+1-509-495-2930, or jason.lang@avistacorp.com, both of Avista
Corp.; or Avista 24/7 Media Access, +1-509-495-4174
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