State Considers Avista Rate Plea

Washington regulators will consider Avista Corp.’s request for a 28 percent hike in natural gas rates during a meeting Wednesday in Olympia.

The request, which was filed in late July, would boost the average homeowner’s bill nearly $11 per month, pushing the total to within a few cents of $50. Avista has asked that the increase take effect Sept. 1.

The Spokane-based utility wouldn’t reap additional profits from the increase, which reflects the surge in wholesale prices of natural gas. So-called tracking increases are typically approved by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, which regulates utilities doing business in the state.

On July 31, the commission approved natural gas rate increases ranging from 16 percent to 27.5 percent for three other utilities.

Avista is also seeking a natural gas rate hike in Idaho, and Wednesday is the deadline for submitting written comments on that request. Comments may be sent to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 or by e-mail to mwalter@puc.state.id.us.

The WUTC meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. at 1300 S. Evergreen Park Drive SW in Olympia.

In other events this week:

Monday

J.D. Hoye, former director of the National School to Work Office, will be the keynote speaker at a program on “Redesigning U.S. Education for the 21st Century” co-sponsored by the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and Rathdrum chambers of commerce and Kootenai Business Education Partnership at 7 a.m. at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene.

* U.S. Commerce Department reports on personal income and spending for July.

Tuesday

Commerce Department reports on new home sales for July.

Wednesday

U.S. Bank presents a free seminar on “Fraud Prevention for Seniors” from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the East Central Community Center, 500 S. Stone. For reservations, call Nellie Lockhart at 353-5092.

* The Service Corps of Retired Executives presents a small business money management workshop from 8 a.m. to noon on the second floor of the Spokane Regional Business Center, 801 W. Riverside. For more information, call 353-2800.

* Conference Board reports Index of Leading Economic Indicators for July.

Thursday

Pig Out in the Park kicks off a five-day run at Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane. The 20th annual event features 40 restaurant booths, 45 concerts, a special Birthday Bash Concert and arts and crafts exhibits. For more information, call 921-5579 or visit httb://www.thenews.com/pigout.