"Welcome to "Avista: Gonna Clip-Ya!" – the power company forum designed to answer your energy questions.

"Q: Last year Avista raised Washington gas rates nearly 24 percent. Electricity rates jumped about 9 percent. And now you have the gall to ask for 8-plus percent increases for both gas and electricity. Am I missing something here?

"A: Yes, you are. We also plan to stick it to Idaho.

"Q: People on a limited budget can barely afford to pay their current power bills. Any suggestions?

"A: Avista believes ratepayers always have two choices.

"Q: Two choices?

"A: 1. Pay up. 2. Or invest in candles and extra blankets."

For the rest of Doug Clark's Sunday column, "Avista has the answer -- just ask 'em, click here.

Question: Do you think Avista gives a rat's behind re: how hard it's making things on lower-income and not-so-lower income Inland Northwesterners?

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