Rising Prices

Avista Utilities obtains all of its natural gas from Canadian sources.

Until recently, the Spokane company was uniquely positioned to obtain that gas because two pipelines tapped extended to sources in British Columbia and Alberta.

The company was able to play the two off against each other when negotiating prices.

But that leverage has been compromised by new pipelines in Canada that enable suppliers in the western provinces to reach buyers in the Midwest, who are accustomed to paying higher prices.

The result for Avista, as well as other utilities in the Northwest, has been rapidly escalating prices that are being passed on to consumers.