Avista filings raise, lower bills
Utility cites lower electricity costs, higher gas price
Avista Corp. filed two requests for price adjustments Thursday that could affect the prices for electricity and natural gas for Washington customers.
Residential customers would see a slight decrease in electric costs and a slight increase for natural gas if the Spokane utility’s requests are approved by state regulators. Avista wants the new prices to take effect Nov. 1.
A typical household using 977 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month would see a $2.03, or 2.64 percent, decrease in their monthly electric bill for a revised total of $74.98. The savings would come from the Bonneville Power Administration’s residential exchange program, which spreads the benefits of low-cost hydroelectric power to Northwest residents.
BPA, Avista and other investor-owned and public utilities recently settled a longstanding dispute over how the benefits are allocated. Under the settlement, Avista’s residential and small-farm customers in Washington will receive approximately $9.2 million in benefits, up from the $3.9 million customers are currently receiving.
On the natural gas side, Avista is asking for a 0.96 percent hike in natural gas prices. Company officials said the request reflects slightly higher wholesale costs for natural gas versus the amount already included in rates.
If the request is approved by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, a typical household using an average 67 therms of natural gas per month would see a hike of 72 cents, or a 1.16 percent increase, in their monthly rate for a revised bill of $63.05.