Avista has asked regulators in Idaho and Washington to raise rates for natural gas customers to help cover the cost of the utility’s financial incentives for energy conservation.
If approved, the increase would cost an average Idaho customer using 66 therms a month $1.52 more, for a total of $60 monthly. An average Washington customer using 70 therms a month would see a boost of $2.54 to $62 per month.
Any revenue Avista receives through the proposed increases could only go for the conservation programs and would not affect company earnings.
Avista’s customers participated in conservation programs in near-record numbers in 2009, saving enough energy to serve more than 3,000 homes with natural gas for a year.
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission is expected to make a decision on the change within about five months. The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is scheduled to address the request later this month.
