Avista Utilities electric and natural gas customers in Idaho are seeing rate increases this year and next, though not as steep as originally sought by the company.
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission previously approved a settlement that led to electric rates rising by an average of 5.6 percent as of the new year and 2.3 percent in 2019, while increasing the basic monthly service charge by 25 cents, to $6.
Avista had sought an average increase of nearly 8 percent this year and 4.2 percent in 2019.
Natural gas customers are subject to an average rate increase of 1.9 percent this year and 1.8 percent in 2019, down from the company’s original proposal of 5.7 percent and 3.3 percent. The settlement agreement also calls for an increase of 75 cents to the basic charge, raising it to $6 per month.
Avista says the utility needs higher rates to pay for ongoing capital spending to replace or upgrade aging infrastructure.
Avista serves some 125,000 electric customers and 75,000 natural gas customers in northern Idaho. (AP, Spokesman-Review)
