(OLYMPIA, WA) -- The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is recommending a slight rate decrease for Avista Corp.’s electric and natural gas customers.
Under the UTC energy staff’s proposal, residential electric
customers using 914 kilowatt hours a month would pay $1.14 less, for an average
monthly bill of $81.19.
Natural gas customers using 67 therms a month would pay 11
cents less, for an average monthly bill of $56.42, according to a UTC news
release.
UTC’s energy staff removed Avista’s proposed increases to
cover projected operating expenses – including those associated with insurance
and information technology – from the company’s rate proposal.
UTC staff supported Avista recouping $1.7 million in costs
it incurred in 2020 to fund its wildfire resilience plan but opposed the
Spokane-based utility company’s request to include wildfire costs that it
scheduled for January to September 2021.
Costs incurred in 2021 or beyond will be considered in
future rate proceedings, according to the UTC news release.
The staff’s proposal also excluded $9 million in costs
related to Colstrip Units 3 and 4. Avista is a co-owner of the units at the
Colstrip, Montana, coal-fired power plant.
The three-member UTC, which is not bound by Avista’s rate
request or energy staff’s recommendation, will make a final decision on the
utility’s rates this fall. New rates would go into effect Oct. 1.
The UTC will hold a virtual public hearing on the rate
proposal at 6 p.m. June 16.
The public can participate via Microsoft Teams or by calling
(253) 372-2181 and using conference ID 328 665 042#.
