Spokane

Claiming aggressive energy efficiency results, Spokane, WA-based Avista Utilities doesn’t think it will need added natural gas supplies for its three-state Pacific Northwest utility operations until at least 2018-19. This was one of the bottom line conclusions of the combination utility’s 2009 gas Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) released Dec. 31, but it also includes a number of action steps as a hedge against complacency regarding both price and supply.

Claiming aggressive energy efficiency results, Spokane, WA-based Avista Utilities doesn’t think it will need added natural gas supplies for its three-state Pacific Northwest utility operations until at least 2018-19. This was one of the bottom line conclusions of the combination utility’s 2009 gas Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) released last Thursday.

Spokane, WA-based Avista Utilities last Wednesday received approval from Washington state regulators for retail natural gas and electric rate increases, effective Friday (Jan. 1). A $557,000, or 0.3%, natural gas hike and a $12.1 million, or 2.8%, electric rate increase were approved by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC).

Following similar actions by their colleagues in Oregon and Washington state, Idaho regulators said Tuesday they have lowered Spokane, WA-based Avista Utilities’ retail natural gas utility rates in the state by 22%, or more than the utility had requested earlier this fall. The lower rates became effective last Sunday for Avista’s 70,000 gas customers in northern Idaho (see Daily GPI, Oct. 1).

The Oregon Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Monday approved a small general rate increase for Spokane, WA-based Avista Utilities’ natural gas operations, but substantial decreases in wholesale gas costs will mean the net effect for residential customers is an average decrease in monthly bills of 13%, or about $10. All the rate changes resulting in the net decrease were effective last Sunday.

For lack of state regulatory approval in Oregon, one of three states in which it operates, Spokane, WA-based Avista Corp. has abandoned long-standing plans to establish a holding company. The Avista board of directors last Thursday decided to throw in the towel, despite receiving nearly all of the needed state and federal approvals.

An increased surcharge to pay for energy efficiency programs went into effect last Saturday for Spokane, WA-based Avista Utilities, but it is subject to a review by Idaho regulators that got under way Monday. The Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will take comments on Avista’s higher charges through Aug. 28.

Idaho regulators approved a rate settlement for Spokane, WA-based Avista Utilities, pushing typical monthly residential natural gas and electric bills up a buck each starting Aug. 1. The Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC) said its approval means Avista residential customers will pay just slightly more than an added 1% — about $1 — as the net result of four rate adjustments.

For the second time in six months the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC) lowered the retail natural gas rates of Spokane, WA-based Avista Utilities. Avista gas utility customers in Idaho will see an average 6.7% drop in their rates, directly related to the continued decline in wholesale gas costs.