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Avista a mere pawn

On July 19, Avista Utilities announced its $5.3 billion sale to Ontario’s Hydro One a transmission company that paints an uncertain future for Avista and its loyal customers. Hydro One’s 2016 annual report says it buys electricity from Ontario’s Independent Energy Supply Operator and much of that is from coal-fired plants targeted by Ontario’s hideous 5-year Climate Change Action Plan approved in 2016.

This plan, along with its 80 regulations and subsidies, was described by the the Fraser Institute as “extraordinarily inefficient and expensive strategies to reduce carbon emissions.” The plan calls for customers, including Hydro One, and perhaps Avista customers, to pay from $18 to $157 (Canadian dollars) in monthly utility charges starting 2020 to fight the non-existent climate change.

Additionally Ontario utilities can use carbon credit cap and trade to meet their impossible carbon reduction standards. That Ontario Plan mandates an 80 percent emissions reduction in three decades, which reveals why Hydro One covets Avista: that’s Avista’s 887 megawatts at seven hydroelectric generating plants near Spokane. This deal exposes Avista, as pawn, and its customers, the bait, to Ontario’s vain Climate Action Plan.

David Boleneus

Spokane



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