The Idaho Public Utilities Commission is accepting written comments on applications from Avista Utilities to change the rates it charges to offer service to natural gas customers in northern Idaho.
Avista Utilities is seeking commission approval to adjust the fixed cost adjustment (FCA) rates for natural gas service from Nov. 1, 2024, through Oct. 31, 2025. The FCA is a rate adjustment mechanism that is designed to break the link between the energy a utility sells and the revenue it collects to recover fixed costs by providing service, which decouples the utility’s revenues from its customers’ energy usage. The decoupling removes a utility’s incentive to increase sales to increase revenue and profits and encourages energy conservation.
The utility also submitted an application for its purchased gas cost adjustment (PGA). The PGA allows Avista to adjust on a regular basis the amount it charges customers to reflect the actual cost of the gas used by customers.
If the applications are approved by the commission, residential natural gas customers using an average of 64 therms per month would see their monthly bills decrease from $78.03 to $59.37, a decrease of $18.66 per month. The commission can approve, deny or modify the applications.
The commission is accepting written comments on the FCA application until Oct. 10, 2024. Comments are required to be filed through the commission’s website or by e-mail unless computer access is not available. To submit comments using the commission website, please visit puc.idaho.gov and click on the “Case Comment Form” link on the upper left side of the page. Please use case number AVU-G-24-01 when filling out the form. The commenter should also include their name and address. If using e-mail, comments are required to be sent to the commission secretary and Avista Utilities at the e-mail addresses listed below. Commenters should include their name, address and case number AVU-G-24-01. If computer access is not available, comments can be mailed to the commission and Avista Utilities at the addresses listed below. Those submitting comments through the mail are required to include their name, address and case number AVU-G-24-01.
Written comments on the PGA are being accepted until Oct. 16, 2024. Those interested in submitting comments can follow the steps above, and use case number AVU-G-24-02 instead of AVU-G-24-01.
For the Idaho Public Utilities Commission:
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
Street address for express mail:
11331 W. Chinden Blvd.
Building 8, Suite 201-A
Boise, ID 83714
For Avista Utilities:
David J. Meyer (MSC-10)
Patrick Ehrbar (MSC-27)
P.O. Box 3727
1411 E. Mission Ave.
Spokane, WA 99220-3727
Additional information on the utility’s applications is available at: puc.idaho.gov/case/Details/
