Access to affordable energy drives many business decisions. Whether you operate an advanced manufacturing plant, a health care facility, a large office complex or a biotech company, energy represents a significant overall cost of doing business. Affordable power is an important consideration for companies choosing to relocate, and the low cost of energy in the Spokane region represents a significant economic development advantage for our community.

It’s also a contributing factor to our region’s low cost of living, which benefits individuals and families who relocate here.

There are many compelling reasons to do business in the Spokane region. Over the last six years, Pearson Packaging purchased two manufacturing companies, one based in California and one in Illinois. After each purchase was complete, we faced a choice about how to best integrate their operations into our existing business. Both times we elected to relocate their manufacturing operations to our facility on the West Plains. We did so for a handful of strategic reasons: the quality of our existing workforce, the access to skilled labor in our region, the attractive cost of living and the low cost of energy.

In talking with leaders of manufacturing facilities in other parts of the country, they are envious not only of the low cost of energy in our region but the reliability we often take for granted. It is not uncommon for their facilities to lose power without notice. These disruptions force unplanned down time and lost productivity, income and wages.

In February, Avista filed for a rate increase in Washington for its electric and natural gas customers. This announcement has generated some dialogue and questions about the cost of energy in our region.

While no one is ever happy to see costs rise, I think it’s important to look at our energy situation in context. The fact is we are the beneficiaries of some of the least expensive energy (both electric and natural gas) in the nation. Avista’s electric rates are less than one-half the average for investor-owned utilities in California, and two-thirds less than the national average for investor-owned utilities. This is a significant difference, one that matters to both businesses and individuals.

There are many forces at work that are driving up the cost of energy across the globe: the movement from fossil fuels toward renewable energy, new regulation, aging infrastructure and necessary upgrades.

Utilities across the country, Avista included, are wisely making the investments in infrastructure necessary to modernize and replace aging equipment. These are the same type of capital investments businesses are required to make, and they are vital to ensuring business owners and residents continue to have access to the affordable and reliable power we have come to expect.

At the same time Avista is working to make smart investments in energy that are vital for supporting economic growth in our region, the company has consistently supported our community in other many ways. Avista long worked to support economic development by helping to establish and grow a vibrant business climate.

For example, when the community needed leadership to advocate for the expansion of medical education, Avista helped lead the effort. When we needed more investment in STEM education, Avista was there. And when you look at the hundreds of hours Avista’s leadership and employees volunteer every year to nonprofit boards, events and causes, I challenge you to find another organization that gives more. In my experience, Avista’s leadership on key community issues and development has helped shape our community in more ways that they will ever get credit for.

I do understand that no one is ever happy about rising costs, whether it’s for groceries, rent, raw materials or energy. But the greater Spokane region is extremely fortunate to have a utility as innovative and community-minded as Avista.