Avista Utilities has filed a request with regulators in Idaho and Washington to drop natural gas rates for residential and small commercial customers.
Avista spokesperson Debbie Simock says that if the company’s annual Purchase Gas Cost Adjustment is approved, residential rates in Idaho would drop by 17 percent.
Avista spokesperson Debbie Simock comments
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Washington residential customers would see a 20.2 percent rate decrease, meaning those using an average 70 therms per month could expect their bill to decrease by $16.06. Large commercial and industrial customers in both states could expect decreases over 20 percent.
Simock breaks down the decrease
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Still, Avista cautions that the market remains volatile and wholesale prices could increase again over the coming year.
Simock warns of a possible increase if wholesale prices rise
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It’s the third time this year that Avista has requested to decrease rates for its 73,000 natural gas customers in Idaho and 145,500 customers in Washington.
If approved, natural gas rates for Washington and Idaho residential customers will have decreased by about 25 percent since the beginning of 2009.
Currently about 75 percent of a monthly bill is the actual cost of natural gas which Avista does not mark up; the remaining 25 percent covers the cost of delivery.
