Avista customers will see rate reduction

State regulators have approved a rate decrease for Avista Utilities’ natural gas customers, taking effect June 1. The average bill for a typical residential customer will drop by about $7, or 8.1 percent, to $79.43, the state Utilities and Transportation Commission announced Thursday. In January, the commission approved a 3 percent decrease for Avista customers. The commission says the rate drop is in response to excess supply caused by a weak economy, resulting in a sharp decline in wholesale natural gas prices. Spokane-based Avista has nearly 146,000 natural gas customers in 10 counties, primarily in Eastern Washington.