Avista wants bids for 35 megawatts of renewable energy

Avista wants proposals for renewable energy

Avista Corp. plans to buy up to 35 megawatts of renewable energy to meet Washington’s standards for renewable energy sources.

On Tuesday, the Spokane-based utility put out a request for proposals for 20-year contracts for wind, solar and other renewable electric sources that qualify under Washington’s new standards for reducing carbon emissions.

Avista gets about 50 percent of its electricity from hydropower. But Washington standards require utilities to acquire new renewable energy sources. By Jan. 1, utilities must meet 3 percent of their customer load with new renewable electric sources. The requirement reaches 15 percent by 2020.

Upgrades at Avista’s dams that boost electric output count toward the requirement, said Anna Scarlett, an Avista spokeswoman. In addition, the utility has future plans for a wind farm in Reardan.

Becky Kramer

Alcoa chief took home $12.3 million last year

The CEO of Alcoa Inc. saw his compensation rise about 10 percent last year, to $12.3 million, according to an Associated Press calculation from the company’s proxy statement.

The salary for Chairman and CEO Klaus Kleinfeld was unchanged at $1.4 million for the third year in a row, according to a company filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission Tuesday. But he collected stock options and restricted shares valued at more than $8.1 million when they were granted in January 2010, up from $5.8 million a year earlier.

Associated Press

Amazon to rival Netflix with streaming video

LOS ANGELES – Amazon.com has launched a subscription video-streaming service, setting itself up to be the first serious rival to fast-growing Netflix.

Amazon on Tuesday began offering U.S. subscribers to its $79-per-year Amazon Prime shipping service the additional benefit of access to 5,000 movies and television shows that can be streamed at no additional cost on computers and certain other Internet-connected devices.

Associated Press

Stalled engine reports prompt Toyota probe

WASHINGTON – The government has opened a preliminary investigation into reports of stalling engines in more than 40,000 Toyota Highlander hybrids.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its website it had received 32 complaints alleging stalling engines in Highlander hybrids from the 2006 model year.

There have been no crashes or injuries reported.

Associated Press