Spokane7
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June 30, 2011 in News
Avista natural gas rates to dip slightly
Avista’s natural gas customers in Washington will see a slight decrease in their natural gas bills starting Friday as a result of changes to energy efficiency rebate and conservation funding.
The decrease will represent about 2 percent on a typical residential customer’s bill, or a savings of a little more than $1 per month.
Energy efficiency and conservation rebate programs are funded through customers’ rates. Avista is lowering the amount it collects, based on the program’s history over the past year.
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission on Thursday approved Avista’s request to lower the amount collected. Each year, the commission requires utilities to “true up” the amount they collect each year for the programs and the amount they pay out in rebates and incentives.
Last year, more than 28,000 Avista gas customers in Washington received $13.3 million in rebates for participating in energy efficiency programs. The purchase of Energy Star appliances, installation of high-efficiency natural gas furnaces and upgrades to windows and insulation were the most popular items.
The average residential rebate for a single-family home was $131. Low-income customers received about $1.5 million in weatherization upgrades.
Spokane-based Avista serves nearly 147,000 natural gas customers primarily in Eastern Washington.
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Squid on June 30 at 3:41 p.m.
Uhhh…. thanks for the extra dollar…..
Teseract on June 30 at 3:47 p.m.
Once again Spokesman Review, list the actual cost per therm before and after the change. You list an “average bill” but don’t even list the amount of what the average bill is, much less what the actual cost per therm is.
Some of us want numbers, not vague generalizations fed to your staff reporters by Avista’s PR department.
liberal_in_right_wing_land on June 30 at 3:59 p.m.
Avista will announce a rate hike within the month to offset this.
lowtechmaster on June 30 at 4:01 p.m.
Make that YET ANOTHER rate hike!
westerly on June 30 at 4:03 p.m.
ohhhh Thankyou, master!!! Thankyou!! Don’t strike me!!!
DHF on June 30 at 6:56 p.m.
You have got to be kidding ,Avista will reduce the nat. gas rates. You the costumer will see a increase in probably not to short order. If you believe all this then I have some Ocean Front Property in Arizona that I would like to sell you. Avista never gives the ratepayer anything without a catch. Hold on to your wallet it will be short lived.
D Statler on June 30 at 10:17 p.m.
AVISTA already filed for a double digit increase in electric rates again. This little drop in gas rates will hit at a time when very little gas is being used by average homeowners. The name AVISTA itself is not as hurtful as the UTC rubber stampers that give AVISTA increase after increase without researching ALL the facts. The so called “confidential correspondence” between the two should be illegal. Then having the attourney generals office represent both the UTC and us the taxpayers.CONFLICT of interest ???? Rob McKenna’s office knowingly let this happen to us. This is the same Rob McKenna that wants to be our next Governor! A vote for him is a vote for AVISTA’s continued book juggling/price gouging and rampant UTC corruption.