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Avista unfairly maligned

I am puzzled why The Spokesman-Review continues to publish well-meaning but misinformed letters relating to Avista Corp. in this section. Avista is a public utility subject to regulation by state utility commissions for prices, accounting, issuance of securities and other matters affecting its multi-state operation. Even with public notice of commission meetings, affecting their homes and businesses, often less than a handful of participants bother to show up.

Only labor costs incurred in windstorm expenses counted against company earnings. Damage to the distribution system was paid out of capital budget. I won’t explain what capital budget is. If it was cost-effective to bury high voltage transmission lines, electric utilities would not be stringing wire.

While I can’t speak for WPUC, I can assure you Idaho Public Utilities Commissioners are not noted for jocularity in dealing with utility rates. If the authors of these letters wish to be better informed, I suggest they contact Avista for a copy of their Annual Report or contact WPUC or IPUC.

Robert Costigan

Spirit Lake

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