Spokane7
35°
December 23, 2009 in Idaho
Partial Avista rate hike approved
Increase is a fraction of what utility sought in January
Effective Jan. 1, energy costs are going up for Avista Corp.’s Eastern Washington customers.
On Tuesday, the state Utilities and Transportation Commission gave the Spokane-based utility approval to charge more for electricity and natural gas. But the three-member commission decided that Avista can only collect a fraction of the amount it requested in a rate case filed last January.
Under the new rates, the cost of electricity will go up 2.8 percent, adding about $2 to a typical household’s monthly bill for a total of $79.47 per month. The new rates allow Avista to collect $12.1 million in additional annual revenue instead of the $69.8 million the utility initially requested.
Natural gas customers will pay an average of 25 cents more per month for a monthly total of $59.25. Avista will collect an additional $557,000 per year in gas revenues instead of $4.9 million.
Basic service charges will also go up 25 cents per month for a $6 monthly total. Ratepayers will also pay more for energy assistance programs. Each household will pay about $15 total per year.
Avista and other parties reached a partial settlement in the case in September. Falling wholesale prices for natural gas prompted Avista to scale back its revenue requests, though the level approved by regulators Tuesday went even lower than that.
Debbie Simock, an Avista spokeswoman, said utility officials were still reviewing the 148-page order and didn’t have an immediate comment.
State regulators allowed Avista’s stockholders the chance to earn a 10.2 percent rate of return on their shares, instead of the 11 percent return that Avista requested.
In addition, Avista wasn’t allowed to recover costs associated with power purchases from the Lancaster generating plant in Rathdrum. Commission members said the utility didn’t show that it followed legal requirements related to the purchase. That decision could be reconsidered in future rate cases if Avista can demonstrate that it complied with regulations.
Recent stories by Becky Kramer
New CdA Tribe radio station starts broadcasting February 10, 2012 7- Funds for forest grooming good for wildlife, water, fire prevention February 10, 2012 1
- In grizzly country, caution is key February 8, 2012
- Caribou comment period extended February 1, 2012
- Getting lost can cost – and taxpayers get hit February 1, 2012 11
Recent stories in Idaho
- Idaho Rep. Labrador launches re-election bid February 13, 2012 9
- Idaho rejects blue heeler as state dog February 13, 2012 12
- Dispute over US 95 interchange heads to trial February 13, 2012
- Old grain silo reinvented into theater stage February 12, 2012
- Eye on Boise: Bill would eliminate regulation of farm product sales February 12, 2012 2
EWU Text-to-Win Contest 
WSU Text-to-Win Contest 
Enter to win tickets to see Adam Carolla at the Knitting Factory 
Megan_B on December 23 at 7:57 a.m.
People aren’t getting cost of living increases, social security didn’t go up… but health insurance premiums, food, energy, etc. are all on the rise. Boy, life sure is fair, isn’t it?
greyhound2 on December 29 at 12:29 p.m.
Over-paid executives at Avista need the money so they can guarantee a 10% return on investment for the blood sucking vampires on Wall Street approved by their rubber stamp commissioners. Merry Christmas.