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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Wwp Renames Subsidiary ‘Avista’ Crooks Appointed President

Washington Water Power Co. has renamed its energy services subsidiary, designated a president and announced the opening of an office in Las Vegas.

Known as WP Energy Solutions for the last 15 months, the company Monday became Avista Advantage, with Gerry Crooks as president.

Crooks, an 18-year employee of WWP, had been vice president of WP Energy Solutions.

WP Energy Solutions was formed to help customers manage their energy use. Among the services offered are utility bill analysis, real-time monitoring of consumption using the Internet, and purchasing of natural gas and electricity.

Clients include Tidyman’s, Louisiana Pacific, and the SharePlus Hospital Association, with 565 member hospitals in California.

Crooks said the Las Vegas office will enable Avista to improve service to its California customers and respond to other requests for services from potential clients in the Southwest.

Monday, he also disclosed that Avista will provide energy accounting services to 23 U.S. Postal Service offices in the Portland area in a one-year test.

“The U.S. Postal Service was looking for an effective tool that would allow them to continuously monitor their energy performance,” he said. “Our product fit their need.”

Company spokeswoman Teri Orr said the program could be expanded.

Avista Advantage is an operating company of Avista Corp. The WWP board of directors authorized the formation of Avista in February.

Gary Ely is Avista’s chairman and chief executive officer.

, DataTimes