Speak out against increases

Avista reported net profits for 2007 of $24.4 million, then year-to-date net profits for 2008 of $56.1 million, more than doubled in one year. From June 2007 through January 2009, Avista was allowed four rate increases for electricity. I do not use gas, so cannot calculate the gas increases. The four increases have raised my bill by $23 a month during winter.

I have contacted the Washington utilities commission at (800) 562-6150, the state attorney general’s office at (509) 456-3123 (Consumer Protection Department), the state legislators at (800) 562-6000 and Mike Parvinen, assistant director of energy for WUTC, at (360) 664-1315, to express my objections of not only the obsessive rate increases but also their current request for yet another increase.

I urge all Avista customers to contact the above offices to voice any objections to Avista’s exorbitant increases and the current request for another increase. I extend great appreciation to the attorney general for appealing the January 2009 increase and hope future investigating the legitimacy of past and future increases.

Marcia Girnus

Fairfield