Avista seeks electric, gas rate increases

Avista Utilities has asked Washington regulators for permission to raise electric and natural gas rates. The request was filed today with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, which has 11 months to act on the request. Avista is seeking a 6.3 percent rate hike for residential electrical customers. If approved, the higher prices would add $4.94 to a monthly bill for a residential customer using 989 kilowatt hours of electricity per month, for a revised total of $83.91. The utility requested a 6.9 percent hike in natural gas rates. Gas customers using an average of 68 therms per month would see a $4.23 per month hike, for a revised bill of $65.78. Avista officials said the rate hike request is driven by the need to replace and update its generation, transmission and delivery system. The utility expects to spend $260 million this year on capital expenditures.