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900 W. Main St.,
PO Box 690 Grangeville, ID 83530
Phone: 208.983.1200 |
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| Settlement softens impact of proposed Avista electric, gas rates |
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Under a settlement proposed to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, electric rates for Avista Utilities customers would increase 1.9 percent but not until Oct. 1. Avista originally proposed a 4.6 percent increase effective April 1.
The settlement, negotiated among several parties, also proposes to increase natural gas rates 4.9 percent on April 1 instead of the company's original proposal of 7.2 percent. On Oct. 1, natural gas rates would increase another 0.3 percent.
Representatives from the utility, along with commission staff, the Clearwater Paper Association, Idaho Forest Group and the Community Action Partnership Association of Idaho, (CAPAI) participated in the discussions that led to the proposed settlement, which still must be approved by the commission. All parties signed the settlement except for CAPAI, which is still gathering information on the proposed rate impacts before signing.
The proposed electric increase, delayed until Oct. 1, is a 3.1 percent increase to base rates, raising Avista's annual revenue by $7.8 million. However, customers would get a $3.86 benefit due to an Avista settlement with the Bonneville Power Administration regarding BPA's use of Avista transmission lines over the last eight years. That credit will reduce the net increase in electric rates to an average 1.9 percent if the settlement is approved. In total, Avista would be allowed a $7.8 million increase in annual revenue, down from its original request of $11.4 million.
Avista serves about 123,000 electric and 75,000 natural gas customers in northern Idaho.
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