A typical household using 918 kilowatt hours of electricity will pay an extra $2.64 on their monthly bill, for a total of $87.15. The new rate includes an increase in the basic charge, from $5.25 per month to $5.75 per month.

The new rates will increase Avista’s annual electric revenue by $6.3 million annually, which allows for a 9.5 percent return on the company’s common stock.

Avista had originally asked for a $15.4 million increase in electric revenues, but agreed to the lower amount through a settlement with other parties in the rate case. Some costs associated with the Palouse Wind farm that were initially included in the utility’s base rates will be recovered through annual rate adjustments each fall that account for fluctuations in wholesale energy prices. Read more. Becky Kramer/SR

---

---