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Explanation Uno (from Avista PR people), and this was a real beaut: After telling us that they “feel our pain,” they go on to explain that it is very important that the company keep those dividends coming in, because — and here’s the really good part — many of their shareholders are elderly people who depend on those dividends. Wow! I must admit, I’d never heard the “elderly shareholder” dodge before. I don’t want to play the party pooper, but I just have to ask: What about all those elderly people who aren’t shareholders, but who also need gas and electricity? What about them?/Robert Herold, Inlander. More here.
Question: What should be done to stop the Avista from grabbing more of our hard-earned dollars?
D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.
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Arch_Druid on February 18 at 10:04 a.m.
I am thinking that if Obama’s stimulus package gets implemented anywhere near what he hopes it does, Avista is going to be out of business unless it can cash in on creating solar panels, home weatherization, etc. all to reduce energy costs. Or if it can cash in on creating new power grids. I am thinking that a local green energy company could be a real startup, grab some of those Fed $$$ and proceed to be a real competitor for Avista, which has been practically an energy monopoly in at least two states.
That might be the best answer to Avista’s greed.
hmoffsuite on February 18 at 10:12 a.m.
Buy their stock. The symbol is AVA.
Kibby on February 18 at 10:36 a.m.
I think it’s time for the Idaho commish. to get involved and put a freeze on any rate increases for a year at a time. Avista needs to start being the good citizen they’d like us all the think they are !!
Staci on February 18 at 4:16 p.m.
I love Inland Power and Light! Everyone move to outlying areas so you can have them for your power company. Not only are my rates much lower than when I lived in town and had Avista (and for a bigger house too!) but I also get a rebate every December! It’s only about $50, but that comes very much in handy at Christmas time.
Escapee on February 18 at 7:40 p.m.
Mr. Herold writes, that “Avista is, after all, a publicly regulated monopoly.” There’s no evidence that Avista Listens To The Public when they set their rates. And I’m sure Pacific Power and Light, who is my electricity provider, is much the same way.