HBO Poll: Avista Rates

The Public Counsel Section of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office Monday challenged electric and gas rate increases proposed by Avista, saying the Spokane-based utility’s request is not justified and that, in fact, the company might be charging its customers too much for service. Avista’s request, filed with the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) in January 2009 would increase the electric rates of its residential customers by 18.5 percent. Overall, the proposed request would generate an additional $74.7 million in revenues - $69.8 million from electric customers and $4.9 million from gas customers (a 2.4 percent overall increase)/ KHQ . More here .

• Monday’s Poll: 18 of 78 (23%) responded that they planned to buy a tag to hunt wolves this year. Full results here .