Idaho hearings scheduled on Avista’s sale to Hydro One

Avista’s Idaho customers will get a chance to weigh in next month on the utility’s proposed sale to Hydro One Ltd., of Toronto.

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has scheduled three public hearings on the $5.3 billion sale in Moscow, Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene.

Avista and Hydro One recently filed a proposed settlement with the commission, outlining how Avista would operate after the sale, which is expected to close later this year.

Avista would become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Canadian utility, keeping its headquarters and workforce in Spokane.

The settlement agreement calls for $15.8 million in rate credits for Idaho customers over the next five years, worth about $1.38 per month to a typical electric and natural gas customer.

Avista would continue its role in local economic development efforts and charitable giving. After the sale, more than $5 million would be dedicated to energy-efficiency programs and assistance for low-income customers.

The commission has received more than 100 comments about the sale. Some Avista customers say they’re worried about rates rising. However, Idaho code says that a regulated utility’s rates cannot increase as a result of a merger, according to the utilities commission.

The public hearings are scheduled at 6 p.m. on these dates:

June 12 in Moscow at the 1912 Center, 412 E. Third St.

June 13 at Sandpoint High School, 410 S. Division Ave.

June 14 in Coeur d’Alene at the Midtown Meeting Center, 1505 N. Fifth St.

Customers can also submit comments directly to the commission. They can be mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID, 83720-0074; faxed to (208) 334-3762; or submitted online at www.puc.idaho.gov/. List case number AVU-E-17-09 or AVU-G-17-05, or both.