Avista proposes lower electric and natural gas rates in Washington starting Nov. 1

Avista’s Washington customers could see about $10 in savings each month on their combined electric and natural gas bills under a proposed rate reduction.
The Spokane-based utility asked the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to lower rates effective Nov. 1.
If approved by the commission, a typical household using an average of 938 kilowatt hours of electricity per month would see its monthly bill drop from $87.33 to $82.07, a decrease of $5.26 per month.
Gas customers using an average of 65 therms per month would see their monthly bills drop from $50.66 to $45.29, a decrease of $5.37 per month.
Avista officials said the proposed rate reductions reflect lower wholesale prices for natural gas and higher than normal energy sales during the 2017 winter, which was colder than normal. The adjustments are not related to Avista’s proposed sale to Hydro One Ltd., of Toronto, according to the company.
A similar rate adjustment is pending in Idaho.
If approved, Avista would see a $25.6 million decrease in electric and natural gas revenue.