Rate hearings scheduled Sept. 13 in Coeur d'Alene

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission will conduct hearings in Coeur d'Alene on Sept. 13 regarding a proposed settlement of the Avista Utilities rate case that, if approved, will result in a net decrease in customer bills.

Avista applied on July 25 for an average 3.7 percent increase in electric rates and an average 2.7 percent increase in natural gas rates. The proposed settlement would grant a 1.1 percent increase in permanent base electric rates and 1.6 percent increase in natural gas rates, but because of several other rate adjustments on the proposed Oct. 1 effective date, customers will actually see a net decrease in their bills.

The average decrease for residential electric customers would be about 2.4 percent and the average reduction for residential natural gas customers would be about 1 percent. As part of the proposed settlement, Avista agrees not to seek another increase in base rates that would become effective before April 1, 2013.

The three commissioners who decide the case will conduct both a public hearing and a technical hearing about the proposed settlement on Tuesday, Sept. 13 in the Driftwood Bay room of the North Idaho College student union building at 1000 W. Garden Ave.

The public hearing, during which customers can offer sworn testimony, will begin at 7 p.m. The technical hearing, during which the company and commission staff will present their testimony regarding the proposed settlement, will begin about 15 minutes after the public hearing concludes.

The proposed settlement also increases the annual funding Avista will make available for conservation education to low-income customers from $40,000 to $50,000. This will be in addition to the $700,000 made available for low-income weatherization projects.

Customers who choose not to testify at the public hearing may submit written comment regarding the proposed settlement by no later than Sept. 13. Comments are accepted via e-mail by accessing the commission's homepage at www.puc.idaho.gov and clicking on "Comments & Questions About a Case." Fill in the case number (AVU-E-11-01 and AVU-G-11-01) and enter your comments. Comments can also be mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 or faxed to (208) 334-3762.