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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Hearing set for Avista hikes for Idaho customers

From Staff Reports

Avista’s Idaho customers can participate in a 7 p.m. hearing Thursday via telephone regarding the utility’s request for rate hikes.

To listen or participate, customers should call (800) 920-7487. The pass code is 76373262.

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission will conduct the hearing.

Avista is seeking a 9.25 percent electric increase spread over three years, with the first increase of 3.6 percent effective Oct. 1. In addition, Avista is asking for a 2.6 percent electric surcharge for 12 months to help the utility recover from last winter’s low snowpack and reduced hydropower generation.

If the commission grants Avista’s request, the net electric increase would be 6.6 percent or an extra $5.37 per month for a typical household using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity each month.

Avista is also asking for a 2.6 percent hike in natural gas rates, spread over two years. If approved, the first year’s gas hike of 1.9 percent would increase a typical household’s bill by $1.71 per month.