Spokane County treasurer tries to stop Avista sale to Hydro One

avista

Spokane County’s treasurer is using a little-known part of federal law to try to block the sale of Avista Corporation to a Canadian utility, though state officials says it isn’t relevant to the deal.

Rob Chase, who is running for Spokane County commissioner, told the state Utilities and Transportation Commission that the state should coordinate with local governments as it reviews the $5.3 billion sale.

Regulators say Avista’s proposed sale to Hydro One, of Toronto, doesn’t involve federal lands or federal projects so it isn’t subject to the federal law that Chase is invoking. The state commission is reviewing the sale with a decision expected in mid-December.

Spokane-based Avista serves 383,000 electric and 349,000 natural gas customers in eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and parts of Oregon. (AP)

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