Avista eyes small electric rate increase

Avista’s Washington customers could see a small hike in their electric rates on Aug. 1, as a result of a proposed change in a surcharge that funds energy efficiency rebates for customers. Avista’s request is pending before state regulators. If approved, a typical Washington household using 989 kilowatts of electricity per month would pay about 99 cents more on their monthly bill. That’s a 1.1 percent increase in electric rates, company officials said. The surcharge change would not increase company earnings. Avista officials said the additional revenue would be used for a program that provides rebates and incentives for electric customers to upgrade equipment and reduce energy use.