MEDIA ADVISORY: Public invited to comment on Avista's proposed temporary electric rate increases

Media contact: [email protected] or 360-664-1116 Docket number: UE-240891

LACEY, Wash. - The Utilities and Transportation Commission is holding a virtual public comment hearing to gather input on proposed temporary electric rate changes from Avista Utilities.

WHO

Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission

WHAT

Virtual public comment hearing

WHEN and WHERE

6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025

Join by Zoom (recommended) or by phone 253-215-8782 using Meeting ID: 881 0574 2360# and Passcode: 029674#.

You can also submit public comments:

• online, 

• by telephone at 888-333-9882, 

• by email at [email protected], and

• by mail to P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504-7250

Translation services are available at no cost to you. If possible, please inform the commission at least 5-7 business days before the meeting by calling 360-664-1149 or emailing [email protected].

For accommodation requests, please contact the UTC at least 5-7 business days before the meeting by calling 888-333-9882 or emailing [email protected].

To get hearing notices and updates about a company or case, ask to be added to the "interested persons" email list by emailing [email protected].

BACKGROUND

In October 2024, Avista Utilities asked the commission to adjust its electric rates to recover costs related to their investment in coal-powered Colstrip Units 3 and 4 for the 2025 calendar year. The proposed rates under revised Tariff WN U-28, Schedule 99 would increase Avista's annual revenues by $18 million, or 2.7%.

A typical residential customer using 945 kWhs per month would see an increase of $4.47 per month, or 4.1%. By law, Avista must remove all Colstrip-related costs from customer rates by Jan. 1, 2026.

Spokane-based Avista Utilities provides electricity to around 403,000 customers and natural gas to about 369,000 customers across 30,000 square miles and four northwestern states.

The UTC is the state agency that regulates private, investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities in Washington. It is the commission's responsibility to ensure regulated companies provide safe, equitable, and reliable service to customers at reasonable rates, while allowing them the opportunity to earn a fair profit.

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