On March 4, Avista filed a request with the commission to increase rates by an average of 9.2 percent for electric customers and 3.3 percent for natural-gas customers. If the proposed rates are approved, a residential electric customer using 1000 kilowatt-hours a month could expect to pay an additional $6.53 for a total of $77.29. The average residential natural gas customer’s bill would increase by $2.84 a month, if using 70 therms, for a total monthly bill of $87.99.
Avista claims the rate increase is necessary to upgrade the company’s aging infrastructure, such as replacing transmission lines and substations. The utility also says additional money is needed to renew licenses for five dams on the Spokane River and to expand a Lewis County natural gas storage site. In addition, the company is proposing to increase funding for energy assistance programs.
The commission is the state agency in charge of regulating the private, investor-owned electric and natural-gas companies in Washington. It is the commission’s responsibility to ensure regulated companies provide safe and reliable service to customers at reasonable rates, while allowing them the opportunity to earn a fair profit.
New rates must be approved by the three-member commission. If approved, new rates would take effect in 2009.
The commission will host two public comment hearings for you to give your comments to the commissioners regarding Avista’s request. The first will be at noon in Pullman, and the second will be in Spokane on Sept 18 at 6pm at the Masonic Temple (1108 W Riverside) Blue room.
To testify at the hearings, please register your name on the sign-in sheet near the entrance of the meeting room. When the administrative law judge calls your name, you may proceed to the podium and give your comments to the commissioners. If someone before you has given comments similar to yours, you may state that you’re in agreement with the earlier speaker.
The Public Counsel Section of the Washington Attorney General’s Office (Public Counsel) will participate in this case on behalf of Avista customers. All comments, written and in-person, will be submitted into the formal record by Public Counsel before the commission makes its final decision.
