Regulators Avista rate hearing set for Coeur d’Alene

Idaho state regulators will take public comments Thursday on a tentative settlement on rate increases requested by Avista Corp.

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission will conduct a public hearing on the rate case from 6-8 p.m. at the Coeur D’Alene School District’s midtown center meeting room, 1505 N. Fifth St. Avista customers’ hearing testimony will be put into the case record.

On Oct. 31, parties involved in an Avista Utilities rate case announced a proposed settlement that reduces the utility’s requested rate increase for electric and natural gas service for Idaho customers.

If approved by the agency, the tentative settlement would increase electric rates by an average of 5.6 percent in 2018 and 2.3 percent in 2019, while increasing the basic monthly service charge by 25 cents, to $6.

Avista had sought an average increase of 7.9 percent for electric customers in 2018 and 4.2 percent in 2019, along with the 25-cent increase to the service charge.

For natural gas customers, the settlement would lead to an average rate increase of 1.9 percent in 2018 and 1.8 percent in 2019, down from the company’s original proposal of 5.7 percent in 2018 and 3.3 percent in 2019. The settlement agreement also calls for an increase of 75 cents to the basic charge, raising it to $6 per month.

Avista officials said the utility needs higher rates to pay for ongoing capital spending to replace or upgrade aging infrastructure.

A technical hearing, during which those involved in the case can present testimony and evidence, is set for Dec. 8 in Boise. Written comments will be accepted until the conclusion of the technical hearing.

Customers can submit written comments at www.puc.idaho.gov by clicking on “Case Comment Form” under the electric or natural gas heading. Comments also can be mailed to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074.