SPOKANE, Wash. April 29, 2022, 4:05 p.m. PST:  Avista (NYSE: AVA) has made Purchased Gas Cost Adjustment (PGA) filings with the utility commissions in Washington and Idaho that, if approved, are designed to increase overall natural gas revenue 12.6% and 10.5%, respectively, effective July 1, 2022. These filings have no impact on Avista’s earnings.

 

PGA requests are typically filed annually to balance the actual cost of wholesale natural gas purchased by Avista to serve customers with the amount presently included in customer’s rates.

Avista does not make a profit on, or markup, the wholesale cost of natural gas; PGAs ensure customers pay what Avista pays, dollar for dollar, only at a more predictable and stable rate throughout the year.

 

Since the last PGA filings were made, the price of wholesale natural gas has continued to rise with dramatic sustained increases since late March, with prices reaching levels not seen in over 13 years. About 40% of an Avista natural gas customer’s bill is the combined cost of purchasing natural gas on the wholesale market and transporting it to Avista’s system.

 

As the effects of inflation impact the entire country, the cost of doing business is going up for all companies and industries. This filing is an effort to incrementally align customers’ rates with the market conditions.

 

Natural Gas Customer Bills

Washington: If approved, residential natural gas customers using an average of 67 therms per month would see their monthly bills change from $64.86 to $72.66, an increase of $7.80 per month, or approximately 11.7%.

 

The percentage change varies by rate schedule and is dependent upon how much energy customers on the respective rate schedules use.  If approved, natural gas customers would see the following rate adjustments:

General Service – Schedule 1 01 & 102                      11.7%

Large General Service – Schedule 111 & 112           17.0%

Interruptible Sales Service – Schedule 131 & 132      19.8%

Transportation Service – Schedule 146                        0.0%

Overall                                                                        12.6%

Idaho: If approved, residential natural gas customers using an average of 63 therms per month would see their monthly bills change from $55.86 to $61.30, an increase of $5.44 per month, or approximately 9.7%.

 

The percentage change varies by rate schedule and is dependent upon how much energy customers on the respective rate schedules use.  If approved, natural gas customers would see the following rate adjustments:

General Service – Schedule 1 01                                  9.7%

Large General Service – Schedule 111                      13.8%

Large General Service – Schedule 112                      14.9%

Interruptible Sales Service – Schedule 131 & 132       0.0%

Transportation Service – Schedule 146                         0.0%

Overall                                                                        10.5%

 

To help customers proactively manage their energy use, Avista offers services to those who may need and qualifies for assistance in managing their energy bills such as comfort level billing, payment arrangements and special circumstantial referrals to area agencies and churches for help with housing, utilities, medical assistance and other needs. Avista also provides funding for energy assistance programs which are administered through community action agencies.

Energy efficiency and outreach programs are also offered which include rebates and incentives as well as tips and resources to help customers manage their energy use and energy bills. Customers can learn more at www.myavista.com.