Regulators approve lower electric rates for Avista’s Idaho customers

Avista has lowered electric rates for Idaho customers by 5.5 percent.

The new rates took effect Monday with approval from the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. For households using an average of 910 kilowatt hours of electricity, the monthly bill will drop by $4.85 per month, from $88.49 to $83.64.

The new rates are the result of lower power prices, higher than expected electric use by customers in 2017 and Bonneville Power Administration credits. The credits give customers of investor-owned utilities a share in the benefits of the federal hydropower generation on the Columbia and Snake rivers.