Weighing in
A weekly look at reader comments and reactions to the news
Another requested rate increase from Avista Utilities left many readers furious, sparking heated debate and attacks on the company’s compensation levels, profit margins and increased demands at a time when many consumers are coping with pay cuts and job losses. Complete coverage and the full debate can be found at www.spokesman.com.
Empyrius: “Socialize” Avista and the BPA immediately! Rivers of this earth are the embodiment of common property, and virtually all dams were built with taxpayer money: this electricity is ours!
William: Take it out of your profits not out of our pockets.
Albert: May I provide you with a recent quote from the SR pertaining to the year ending 2009: “Meanwhile, Avista reported an 18 percent gain in net income last year. The company earned $87.1 million last year, compared to 2008’s earnings of $73.6 million. For the fourth quarter of 2009, Avista reported $22.1 million in earnings, compared to $17.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2008.” Business worldwide is in a massive decline and Avista is returning an increase in earnings - big time.
Gotcha: How many people are making 13% more this year? Sorry Avista, No Can Do.
Dan_at_Avista: I really do understand the frustration shown in the posts above (for the most part). Raise your hand if you really want to pay more for energy. I don’t. The truth is there’s nothing sinister going on with this request and nobody around here is happy that we have to do it. But the fact remains that these requests are necessary to continue to provide you with the energy you depend on.
Misjustice: How does AVISTA expect us to pay for their obscene profits? Many of us struggle to pay the current rates, let alone higher rates.
GValley: Well, I certainly don’t want to pay more … but I also have look to myself to find ways to reduce my electrical/gas usage. How many big screen TVs do I have? How many cell phones, chargers, computers/laptops do I have that are plugged in, and a hot tub … all these little energy thieves … are they necessary? … Maybe, if we weren’t such a technologically advanced society, and we really lived like our parents did, we wouldn’t be so dependent on electricity and gas.
Johnclarke: Hello Dan_at_Avista; Thanks for your posts. I’m wondering if you would be so kind as to post the compensation packages for the top 20 executives at Avista? Total compensation please. Another request - please post the median compensation for all employees, non-executives.