In a filing with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, Spokane, WA-based Avista Utilities has proposed cutting its retail natural gas rates by 8.8% and its electric rates by 2.5%, effective Nov. 1. The request is the result of several rate adjustments by the utility, including a purchased gas adjustment and an electric gas decoupling adjustment. An Avista spokesperson said that the filings do not impact company earnings nor are they related to the pending acquisition of Avista by Toronto-based Hydro One Ltd.