Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission

05/09/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/09/2024 06:08

MEDIA ADVISORY: Public invited to comment on Avista’s proposed rate increases

Media contact: 360-664-1116 or [email protected]
Docket numbers: UE-240006 and UG-240007 (Consolidated)

Virtual public comment hearing Sept. 19

LACEY, Wash. - The UTC invites the public to attend a virtual public comment hearing on Avista Corporation (Avista or Company)'s request for rate increases on electric and natural gas services.

WHO

Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission

WHAT

Virtual public comment hearing

WHEN and WHERE

6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19

Join by Zoom (recommended), or by phone at 253-215-8782 and enter Meeting ID: 878 3893 3652# and Passcode: 742820#.

You can also submit public comments:

  • by telephone at 888-333-9882,

  • by mail to P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504-7250

Translation services are available at no cost to you. If possible, please inform the commission at least one business day before the meeting by calling 360-664-1149, or by emailing [email protected].

If you need reasonable accommodation to attend the meeting, please contact the UTC at least one business day before the meeting by calling 888-333-9882 or emailing [email protected].

BACKGROUND

In January 2024, Avista requested to update its electric and natural gas rates in a two-year rate plan, increasing customer rates in December 2024 and 2025.

Avista's filing proposes these rate increases based on a suggested 7.61% rate of return (with 48.5% equity and a 10.40% percent return on equity). The company also proposes a Two-Year Rate Plan. In Rate Year 1, their electric base revenue would increase to $77.1 million and natural gas to $17.3 million. In Rate Year 2, electric base revenue would increase to $53.7 million and natural gas to $4.6 million.

Case certifications have been requested by the Northwest Energy Coalition (NWEC), the Alliance of Western Energy Consumer (AWEC), and The Energy Project (TEP), all nonprofits represent customer interests.

Avista provides electricity and natural gas to customers across 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and parts of southern and eastern Oregon.

The UTC is the state agency that regulates private, investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities in Washington. It is the commission's responsibility to ensure regulated companies provide equitable, safe, and reliable service to customers at reasonable rates, while allowing them the opportunity to earn a fair profit.

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