BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND  )
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, )
      ) DOCKET NO.  UG-991607
   Complainant,  )
      ) NOTICE OF PREHEARING
v.      ) CONFERENCE
      )
AVISTA CORPORATION,   ) (December 16, 1999)
      )
   Respondent.  )
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  )

  On October 22, 1999, Avista Corporation filed certain tariff revisions 
designed to effect a general increase in its rates for gas service.  The 
company's letter of transmittal indicates that the cumulative effect of the 
tariff filing would be to increase annual revenues by $4.9 million.  By order 
of the Commission, the operation of the tariff revisions has been suspended 
pending hearing or hearings concerning such changes and the justness and 
reasonableness thereof.

 Hearing in this matter is being held pursuant to Part IV of chapter 34.05 RCW 
pertaining to adjudicative proceedings, including but not limited to RCW 
34.05.422, RCW 34.05.440, RCW 34.05.449 and RCW 34.05.452.  The Commission has 
jurisdiction over this matter under Title 80 RCW, having legal authority to 
regulate the rates, services, and practices of gas companies under chapter 
80.04 RCW and chapter 80.28 RCW, including but not limited to RCW 80.01.040, 
RCW 80.04.250, RCW 80.28.010, RCW 80.28.020, RCW 80.28.050, RCW 80.28.090, and 
RCW 80.28.100. In addition to the foregoing statutes, rules involved include 
those within chapter 480-09 WAC, including WAC 480-09-480, and chapter 480-90 
WAC.  The ultimate issues include whether the proposed tariff revisions are 
just, fair, reasonable, and sufficient and in the public interest.  In 
accordance with the provisions of RCW 80.04.130 the burden of proof to show 
that the rates produced by the filing are just and reasonable shall be upon the 
respondent.

  NOTICE IS GIVEN that, in accordance with WAC 480-09-700(1)(a), the Commission 
has determined that good cause exists for this matter to be heard on shortened 
notice.

  NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That a prehearing conference will be held on December 
16, 1999, at 9:30 a.m., in Room 207, Chandler Plaza Building, 1300 S. Evergreen 
Park Drive S.W., Olympia, Washington.   The purpose of said prehearing 
conference is to consider formulating the issues in the proceeding, and to 
determine other matters to aid in its disposition, as specified in WAC 
480-09-460, including whether this docket should be consolidated with Docket 
No. UE-991606, concerning Avista Corporation’s proposal to increase its rates 
for electric service.  The time and place for evidentiary hearings will be set 
at the prehearing conference or by later written notice.  Petitions to 
intervene should be made in writing prior to that date or made orally at that 
time.  Appearances will be taken.

  Please see the form attached to this notice which should be filled out and 
returned if any party or witness needs an interpreter or other assistance.

  NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT ANY PARTY WHO FAILS TO ATTEND OR PARTICIPATE IN THE 
HEARING SET HEREIN, OR OTHER STAGE OF THIS PROCEEDING, MAY BE HELD IN DEFAULT 
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF RCW 34.05.440.  THE PARTIES ARE FURTHER ADVISED 
THAT THE SANCTION PROVISIONS OF WAC 480-09-700(4) ARE SPECIFICALLY INVOKED.

  The names and mailing addresses of all parties and their known 
representatives are as follows:

 Complainant:   Washington Utilities and
       Transportation Commission
     Chandler Plaza Building
     1300 S. Evergreen Park Drive S.W.
     Olympia, WA 98504-7250
     (360) 664-1160

 Representative:  Robert D. Cedarbaum
     Assistant Attorney General
     1400 S. Evergreen Park Drive S.W.
     P. O. Box 40128
     Olympia, WA 98504-0128
     (360) 664-1188

 Respondent:   Avista Corporation
     1411 East Mission
     Spokane, WA 99220-3727
     (509) 489-0500

 Representative:  Thomas D. Dukich
     Avista Corporation
     1411 East Mission
     Spokane, WA 99220-3727
     (509) 489-0500

 Public Counsel:  Simon ffitch
     Office of Attorney General
     900 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2000
     Seattle, WA 98164-1012
     (206) 464-7744

  Marjorie Schaer has been designated as the Administrative Law Judge from the 
Utilities and Transportation Commission's Administrative Law Section, 1300 S. 
Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, Washington 98504-7250, and will preside at 
the prehearing conference.

   The Commission will provide at its offices in Olympia, Washington, current 
records of the hearing for the use of those who may wish to review them.  The 
Public Counsel Section of the Office of Attorney General has been designated to 
represent the public.  The address of the Commission, show below, may be used 
for inquiries of public counsel, or public counsel may be contacted directly by 
writing or calling the address or telephone number listed below. 

  Notice of any other procedural phase will be given in writing or on the 
record as the Commission may deem appropriate during the course of this 
proceeding.

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


        CAROLE J. WASHBURN
        Executive Secretary

December 3, 1999

Inquires should be addressed to:

Secretary     or Public Counsel
Washington Utilities and     Office of Attorney General
  Transportation Commission   900 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2000
Chandler Plaza Building    Seattle, WA 98164-1012
1300 S. Evergreen Park Drive S.W.  (206) 464-7744
P. O. Box 47250
Olympia, WA 98504-7250
(360) 664-1160