Avista Utilities has been beating the drums and signing the songs for energy conservation for the last decade. They publish all kinds of hints and tips on how to save energy. They do TV spots about conservation, praising their corporate efforts on renewable energy and conservation and encouraging consumers to do likewise. They have handed out energy saving light bulbs, window insulation kits, and low flow shower heads. They offer rebates to consumers who replace older equipment and appliances with newer, more efficient models.

It must be working. In late August, Avista went to the Public Utilities Commission with a request for another round of rate increases. Energy use was down last winter!

Does this seem curious to anyone else? Avista preaches conservation for a decade or so, then raises rates when energy use actually goes down. Well, they do have to keep shareholders happy and those big paychecks and bonuses coming to the top executives.

Jan Angulo

Spokane