Latest from The Spokesman-Review

• Hunt for more natural gas in Idaho is on

  May 7, 2012 in Idaho on Page A8 BOISE – The new owners of natural gas wells in western Idaho plan to spend more and drill more to find more gas in the state. “This is exciting news …

• Interior sets new rules on hydraulic fracturing

  May 4, 2012 in Business, Nation/World The Obama administration is requiring companies drilling for natural gas on public and Indian lands to publicly disclose chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing operations. 10

• Natural gas prices up after production report

  April 30, 2012 in Nation/World NEW YORK — The price of natural gas jumped by nearly 5 percent today after government data showed that producers are making good on promises to cut supplies. 23

• Obama orders natural gas working group

  April 13, 2012 in Business, Nation/World WASHINGTON — The Obama administration said today it is creating a high-level working group to coordinate federal oversight of natural gas production, amid industry complaints that excessive regulation could stymie … 81

• Avista seeking increase in rates

  April 3, 2012 in City on Page A5 Avista Corp. is seeking to charge its Washington customers more next year to offset the higher cost of delivering power and natural gas in Eastern Washington. It’s a trend that … 3

• Lower gas rates in Idaho begin today

  March 1, 2012 in Idaho on Page A10 Avista’s Idaho customers will pay less for natural gas after state regulators approved the utility’s request to lower rates beginning today. The Idaho Public Utilities Commission approved Avista’s request to … 1

• Avista gas bills may fall

  February 14, 2012 in Idaho on Page A7 Falling wholesale prices for natural gas could soon be reflected in utility customers’ bills, Avista officials said Monday. The Spokane-based utility has asked Washington and Idaho regulators for permission to … 1

• Avista bills could reflect falling gas prices

  February 13, 2012 in News Falling wholesale prices for natural gas could soon be reflected in utility customers’ bills, Avista officials said today. 19

• Gas drillers, Idaho counties reach agreement

  January 29, 2012 in News, Idaho, Region BOISE, Idaho — A group representing Idaho counties and a group representing companies interested in tapping natural gas in Idaho announced on Sunday an agreement on legislation they plan to … 3

• EMS calls keep crews busy during slow week

  July 23, 2011 in Washington Voices on Page V2 Spokane Valley Fire Department crews responded to about 40 more calls than usual during the week of July 14-20, but there were no major fires among the 241 calls. Instead …

• Worrisome gas leak and what experts advise

  July 21, 2011 in Washington Voices on Page V1 Thanks to years of public service announcements, most people know that if you smell natural gas inside your home you are supposed to leave without turning anything on or off. …

• Avista requests gas, electrical rate hikes in Washington

  May 16, 2011 in City Avista Corp. is requesting rate increases for its electricity and natural gas customers in Washington, the company announced today. Avista is asking regulators to approve a 9.3 percent rate increase … 78

• Avista rates could increase in Idaho by Oct. 1

  July 26, 2010 in Business, Idaho Avista’s Idaho customers could see a 6.6 percent hike in their electric bills by Oct. 1, along with a corresponding 1.9 percent hike in natural gas rates. 7

• Idaho to study Avista request for six months

  March 13, 2010 in Idaho on Page B3 The Idaho Public Utilities Commission will spend six months reviewing Avista Utilities’ request for more money to pay for natural gas energy efficiency programs, officials announced Friday. The utility wants … 1

• Exxon Mobil deal places big bet on natural gas

  December 20, 2009 in Business on Page E4 Exxon Mobil’s purchase of a Texas natural gas producer for $29 billion could reshape the U.S. energy landscape, setting the stage for the fuel to challenge coal in the nation’s … 1

• Some of the chill coming out of Avista bills

  October 30, 2009 in City on Page A1 A steady decline in natural-gas prices will mean lower energy bills for Avista Utilities customers in Washington and Idaho. Effective Sunday, Washington residential and small-business customers will see natural gas …

• Regulators approve cut in Avista gas rates

  October 29, 2009 in City State energy regulators today approved Avista Corp. cutting its natural gas rates by more than 25 percent. 1

• Avista expects much lower gas rates

  August 31, 2009 in Business, City, Idaho Avista Utilities natural gas customers in Idaho and Washington can expect a double-digit price cut when the Spokane utility submits new rate filings to regulators later this month, spokeswoman Debbie …

• In brief: Avista’s natural gas rate to drop June 1

  May 29, 2009 in City on Page A5 Washington state regulators have approved a rate decrease for Avista Utilities’ natural gas customers, taking effect June 1. The average bill for a typical residential customer will drop by about …

• Avista customers will see rate reduction

  May 28, 2009 in City State regulators have approved a rate decrease for Avista Utilities’ natural gas customers, taking effect June 1. 1

• Firefighters investigating gas leak near school

  February 24, 2009 in City Spokane firefighters are investigating a strong natural gas odor near Whitman Elementary School in northeast Spokane.

• Avista rate cut was cold comfort

  February 5, 2009 in Idaho Voices on Page PF1 The last few months have been a roller-coaster ride for most Avista customers, but watching our heating bills reach new heights has been anything but fun. Although Avista teased us … 1

• Avista reduces natural gas rates

  January 16, 2009 in City on Page A6 Avista Utilities natural gas customers will see a 3 percent decline in their rates resulting from the recent drop in wholesale gas prices, state regulators announced Thursday. The Washington Utilities …

• Russia shuts all gas lines to Europe via Ukraine

  January 8, 2009 in Nation/World on Page A4 MOSCOW – Russia cut off all gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine on Wednesday, playing hardball in a weeklong standoff that has left more than a dozen countries struggling to …

• Some supplies cut amid gas fight

  January 7, 2009 in Nation/World on Page A16 MOSCOW – Russia’s natural gas monopoly dramatically cut flows to Europe through Ukraine on Tuesday, sharpening fears of winter fuel shortages. Despite warnings from the European Union, a pricing dispute …

• Clearing snow, ice can cause damage to natural gas pipes

  January 3, 2009 in City on Page A5 Natural gas leaks have become as common as lost gloves as the snow piles up in the Inland Northwest. While collapsing roofs often break gas pipes or meters, more problems …

• Avista asks to pass on its savings

    December 31, 2008 in City, Idaho With wholesale prices for natural gas in a steady decline, Avista Corp. is paying out less for the commodity and says it will pass the savings on to utility customers. 4

• Avista fixes leak in area of dying trees

  August 21, 2007 in City on Page A1 Avista Utilities has repaired a natural gas leak at an intersection in Spokane Valley’s Ponderosa neighborhood where nearly all the ponderosa pine trees are dead or dying. It’s unclear whether …