Avista gets approval in general rate case

Avista received approval from the Idaho Public Utilities Commission for the all-party settlement that was filed June 14, concluding the company’s 2021 general rate case.

The approved rates are designed to increase annual base electric revenues by $10.6 million or 4.3%, effective Sept. 1, and by $8.0 million or 3.1%, effective Sept. 1, 2022.

For natural gas, the approved rates are designed to decrease annual base natural gas revenues by $1.6 million or 3.7%, effective Sept. 1, and increase annual base natural gas revenues by $0.9 million or 2.2%, effective Sept. 1, 2022.

The parties have agreed to use the customer tax credits included in Avista’s original filing to offset overall proposed changes to base electric and natural gas rates over the two-year plan.

“The commission’s decision provides new electric rates in Idaho that are reasonable for our customers, the company and our shareholders,” said Dennis Vermillion, Avista president and CEO.

A residential electric customer using an average of 892 kilowatt hours per month would see a 0.6% billed increase of 49 cents per month for a revised monthly bill of $86.12 effective Sept. 1, and a 0.4% billed increase of 31 cents per month for a revised monthly bill of $86.43 effective Sept. 1, 2022.

A residential natural gas customer using an average of 63 therms per month would see a billed 4.6% decrease of $2.30 per month for a revised monthly bill of $47.19 effective Sept. 1, and a 1.6% billed increase of $0.76 per month for a revised monthly bill of $47.95, effective Sept. 1, 2022.