Shareholders should chip in

I read that Avista plans to request a rate hike, in part, because of the costs associated with repairing the damage from the Nov. 17 windstorm. I did not read in the article that the shareholders were going to take a hit.

As a regulated utility, I understand that profits are limited. However, as a private corporation with a monopoly on a critical utility (electricity), I assume that shareholders still assume a risk, and their profits are not guaranteed at the expense of the captive customers who suffer when their electricity is cut off by storm damage.

It seems fair that shareholders should shoulder part of the costs. If shareholders want a guaranteed dividend, they should put their money in a federally insured bank.

Donald Barden

Spokane