Utilities Meetings Could Be Lively

Two Inland Northwest utilities hold annual meetings this week, and the sessions could be energized by unrelated events affecting each company.

Avista Corp. shareholders will gather at 10 a.m. Thursday at the DoubleTree Hotel City Center. While there’s nothing exceptional on the agenda, an unfavorable recommendation last Friday by Washington Utility and Transportation Commission staff could become a focus for discussion.

Avista, which delivers electricity to 206,000 Washington customers, has requested a rate hike that would increase the average homeowner’s bill by 14 percent and generate a total of $26.2 million in new revenue for the company. WUTC staff not only recommended against a rate hike, but instead suggested that rates be rolled back.

A final decision on the rate case isn’t expected until later this year.

On Friday, Northern Lights Inc. holds its annual membership meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the utility’s new headquarters building, 421 Chevy Street in Sagle, Idaho, south of Sandpoint.

New procedures for electing company directors sparked a controversy last week that could spill over into Friday’s meeting. Northern Lights, a cooperative owned by its members, serves rural areas in Bonner and Boundary counties, northwestern Montana and parts of Kootenai and Pend Oreille counties.

In other events this week:

Monday

It’s Tax Freedom Day for Washington residents, based on calculations by the Tax Foundation, a national research organization. The foundation figures that the average state resident has to devote all income earned during the first 129 days of the year to pay federal, state and local taxes.

Tuesday

The Better Business Bureau of the Inland Northwest presents a workshop on “Customer Service” from 8 a.m. to noon at the DoubleTree Hotel, Spokane Valley. Cost: $45 for BBB members, $65 for nonmembers; for information or to register, call (509) 838-3841 or (800) 248-2356.

Wednesday

* The Spokane Area Convention & Visitors Bureau holds an open house from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Downtown Visitor Information Center, 201 W. Main. The event is being held in conjunction with National Tourism Week.

Thursday

U.S. Commerce Department reports on retail sales for April.

Friday

The Inland Northwest Associated General Contractors group presents a seminar on “The Internet: An Essential Tool for Contractors” from 8:30 a.m. to noon at The Coeur d’Alene Resort. Cost: $75 for AGC members, $125 for nonmembers; for information or to register, call Sherry Lynn Dow at (509) 535-0391 or (800) 572-4108.

* U.S. Labor Department reports on producer price index for April.

This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Back in the limelight

Business Week, May 8: Oracle Corp. chairman and frequent Microsoft critic Larry Ellison is back in the limelight and savoring his company’s return to prominence, a cover story says.

Fortune FSB: Fostering a culture of creativity is the best way to realize the full potential of your business, according to the magazine’s feature story.