Latest news with #IdahoPublicUtilitiesCommission
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Avista reaches all-party, all issues settlement in Idaho general rate cases
If approved, new rates would take effect beginning Sept. 2025 and Sept. 2026 SPOKANE, Wash., June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avista (NYSE: AVA), the Staff of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, Clearwater Paper Corporation, Idaho Forest Group, LLC and Walmart Inc., parties to the Company's electric and natural gas general rate cases, have reached a settlement agreement that has been submitted to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission for its consideration, and which would resolve all issues in the proceeding. If approved, the settlement agreement is designed to increase annual base electric revenues by $19.5 million or 6.3%, effective Sept. 1, 2025, and by $14.7 million or 4.5%, effective Sept. 1, 2026. For natural gas, the settlement agreement is designed to increase annual base natural gas revenues by $4.6 million or 9.2%, effective Sept. 1, 2025, and reduce base revenues by $0.2 million or 0.4%, effective Sept. 1, 2026. The settlement capital structure includes a 9.6% return on equity (ROE) with a common equity ratio of 50% and a rate of return (ROR) on rate base of 7.28%. 'This settlement agreement will provide new rates in Idaho that are fair and reasonable for our customers, the Company, and our shareholders,' said Heather Rosentrater, Avista President and CEO. 'This is a constructive outcome. Our customers will benefit from longer recovery periods for certain deferred costs, which mitigates the bill impact of improved recovery of our costs to serve our customers. This agreement provides us with the opportunity to earn a fair return in Idaho while we invest in and maintain our infrastructure so we can continue to provide the reliable energy our customers expect.' Residential Customer BillsIf the settlement is approved, a residential electric customer using an average of 939 kilowatt hours per month would see a 6.7% billed increase of $6.95 per month for a revised monthly bill of $111.25 effective Sept. 1, 2025, and a 4.7% billed increase of $5.22 per month for a revised monthly bill of $116.47 effective Sept. 1, 2026. A residential natural gas customer using an average of 66 therms per month would see a billed 6.8% increase of $4.11 per month for a revised monthly bill of $64.74 effective Sept. 1, 2025, and no rate change effective Sept. 1, 2026. 2025 & 2026 Electric Revenue Impact by Rate Schedule Rate Schedule Description 2025 Billing Change 2026 Billing Change Residential Service Schedule 1 6.7% 4.7% General Service Schedules 11 & 12 6.7% 4.8% Large General Service Schedules 21 & 22 8.0% 5.6% Extra Large General Service Schedule 25 6.5% 4.6% Extra Large General Service 25P Schedule 25P 1.6% 1.2% Pumping Service Schedules 31 & 32 8.0% 5.6% Street & Area Lights Schedules 41 - 49 4.6% 3.3% Total 6.6% 4.6% 2025 & 2026 Natural Gas Revenue Impact by Rate Schedule Rate Schedule Description 2025 Billing Change 2026 Billing Change General Service Schedule 101 6.7% 0.0% Large General Service Schedules 111 & 112 0.0% - 1.1% Interruptible Service Schedules 131 & 132 0.0% 0.0% Transportation Service Schedule 146 0.0% - 2.6% Total 5.4% - 0.2% The actual percentage rate change will vary by customer rate schedule and will depend on how much energy a customer uses. Avista serves more than 145,000 electric and 93,000 natural gas customers in Idaho. Avista's Original RequestAvista's original request was designed to increase annual base revenues by $43.0 million (or 14.4% on a billed basis) effective on Sept. 1, 2025, and $17.7 million (or 5.2% on a billed basis) effective on Sept. 1, 2026. For natural gas, the rate request was designed to increase annual revenues by $8.8 million (or 10.3% on a billed basis) effective on Sept. 1, 2025, and $1.0 million (or 1.0% on a billed basis) effective on Sept. 1, 2026. The electric and natural gas requests were based on a proposed rate of return (ROR) on rate base of 7.68% with a common equity ratio of 50% and a 10.4% return on equity (ROE). Customer ResourcesTo assist customers in managing their energy bills, Avista offers services for customers such as comfort level billing, payment arrangements and Customer Assistance Referral and Evaluation Services (CARES), which provide assistance to medically vulnerable customers through referrals to area agencies and churches for help with housing, utilities, medical assistance and other needs. Avista provides energy efficiency and outreach programs that 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 About Avista Corp. Avista Corp. is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses. Avista Utilities is our operating division that provides electric service to 422,000 customers and natural gas to 383,000 customers. Our service territory covers 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.7 million. AERC is an Avista subsidiary that, through its subsidiary AEL&P, provides retail electric service to 18,000 customers in the city and borough of Juneau, Alaska. Our stock is traded under the ticker symbol 'AVA'. For more information about Avista, please visit This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the company's current expectations. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than historical facts. Such statements speak only as of the date of the news release and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, in addition to those discussed herein, all of the factors discussed in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2024 and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. SOURCE: Avista Corporation -2516- Contact:Media: Lena Funston (509) 495-8090, Stacey Walters (509) 495-2046, Avista 24/7 Media Access (509) 495-4174
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Avista reaches all-party, all issues settlement in Idaho general rate cases
If approved, new rates would take effect beginning Sept. 2025 and Sept. 2026 SPOKANE, Wash., June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avista (NYSE: AVA), the Staff of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, Clearwater Paper Corporation, Idaho Forest Group, LLC and Walmart Inc., parties to the Company's electric and natural gas general rate cases, have reached a settlement agreement that has been submitted to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission for its consideration, and which would resolve all issues in the proceeding. If approved, the settlement agreement is designed to increase annual base electric revenues by $19.5 million or 6.3%, effective Sept. 1, 2025, and by $14.7 million or 4.5%, effective Sept. 1, 2026. For natural gas, the settlement agreement is designed to increase annual base natural gas revenues by $4.6 million or 9.2%, effective Sept. 1, 2025, and reduce base revenues by $0.2 million or 0.4%, effective Sept. 1, 2026. The settlement capital structure includes a 9.6% return on equity (ROE) with a common equity ratio of 50% and a rate of return (ROR) on rate base of 7.28%. 'This settlement agreement will provide new rates in Idaho that are fair and reasonable for our customers, the Company, and our shareholders,' said Heather Rosentrater, Avista President and CEO. 'This is a constructive outcome. Our customers will benefit from longer recovery periods for certain deferred costs, which mitigates the bill impact of improved recovery of our costs to serve our customers. This agreement provides us with the opportunity to earn a fair return in Idaho while we invest in and maintain our infrastructure so we can continue to provide the reliable energy our customers expect.' Residential Customer BillsIf the settlement is approved, a residential electric customer using an average of 939 kilowatt hours per month would see a 6.7% billed increase of $6.95 per month for a revised monthly bill of $111.25 effective Sept. 1, 2025, and a 4.7% billed increase of $5.22 per month for a revised monthly bill of $116.47 effective Sept. 1, 2026. A residential natural gas customer using an average of 66 therms per month would see a billed 6.8% increase of $4.11 per month for a revised monthly bill of $64.74 effective Sept. 1, 2025, and no rate change effective Sept. 1, 2026. 2025 & 2026 Electric Revenue Impact by Rate Schedule Rate Schedule Description 2025 Billing Change 2026 Billing Change Residential Service Schedule 1 6.7% 4.7% General Service Schedules 11 & 12 6.7% 4.8% Large General Service Schedules 21 & 22 8.0% 5.6% Extra Large General Service Schedule 25 6.5% 4.6% Extra Large General Service 25P Schedule 25P 1.6% 1.2% Pumping Service Schedules 31 & 32 8.0% 5.6% Street & Area Lights Schedules 41 - 49 4.6% 3.3% Total 6.6% 4.6% 2025 & 2026 Natural Gas Revenue Impact by Rate Schedule Rate Schedule Description 2025 Billing Change 2026 Billing Change General Service Schedule 101 6.7% 0.0% Large General Service Schedules 111 & 112 0.0% - 1.1% Interruptible Service Schedules 131 & 132 0.0% 0.0% Transportation Service Schedule 146 0.0% - 2.6% Total 5.4% - 0.2% The actual percentage rate change will vary by customer rate schedule and will depend on how much energy a customer uses. Avista serves more than 145,000 electric and 93,000 natural gas customers in Idaho. Avista's Original RequestAvista's original request was designed to increase annual base revenues by $43.0 million (or 14.4% on a billed basis) effective on Sept. 1, 2025, and $17.7 million (or 5.2% on a billed basis) effective on Sept. 1, 2026. For natural gas, the rate request was designed to increase annual revenues by $8.8 million (or 10.3% on a billed basis) effective on Sept. 1, 2025, and $1.0 million (or 1.0% on a billed basis) effective on Sept. 1, 2026. The electric and natural gas requests were based on a proposed rate of return (ROR) on rate base of 7.68% with a common equity ratio of 50% and a 10.4% return on equity (ROE). Customer ResourcesTo assist customers in managing their energy bills, Avista offers services for customers such as comfort level billing, payment arrangements and Customer Assistance Referral and Evaluation Services (CARES), which provide assistance to medically vulnerable customers through referrals to area agencies and churches for help with housing, utilities, medical assistance and other needs. Avista provides energy efficiency and outreach programs that 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 About Avista Corp. Avista Corp. is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses. Avista Utilities is our operating division that provides electric service to 422,000 customers and natural gas to 383,000 customers. Our service territory covers 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.7 million. AERC is an Avista subsidiary that, through its subsidiary AEL&P, provides retail electric service to 18,000 customers in the city and borough of Juneau, Alaska. Our stock is traded under the ticker symbol 'AVA'. For more information about Avista, please visit This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the company's current expectations. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than historical facts. Such statements speak only as of the date of the news release and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, in addition to those discussed herein, all of the factors discussed in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2024 and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. SOURCE: Avista Corporation -2516- Contact:Media: Lena Funston (509) 495-8090, Stacey Walters (509) 495-2046, Avista 24/7 Media Access (509) 495-4174
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Some Idaho Power solar customers fear their investment won't break even under rate change
Idahoans hold up signs supporting solar energy at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise in 2024. (Courtesy of the Idaho Chapter Sierra Club) Hawk Sahlein installed 12 solar panels onto his Boise home in December 2023 with the hopes that it would build equity onto his home and promote clean energy. The 36-year-old spent $18,000 on panels, even taking out a loan from a credit union to finance the investment. The decision came after speaking to several solar companies about the cost, as well as speaking to other locals with solar panels whose Idaho Power bills reduced after installation. Sahlein was excited about producing his own energy from the solar panels, but now the thought is 'sour,' he told the Idaho Capital Sun. That's because Idaho Power put in a request with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to decrease the amount it credits its non-legacy rooftop solar owners, or those who installed their systems after December 2019. The change is to ensure Idaho Power is paying equitable prices for the energy it buys, a company spokesperson told the Sun. If the rate changes are implemented, Sahlein's solar panels would barely save him money on his power bill, adding to his expenses on top of the loan he took to pay for the panels. He, and 13,700 other Idaho Power customers, would be impacted by this change. And many others have spent even more on their solar systems at home — ranging from $40,000 to $100,000, according to comments on the Idaho Public Utilities Commission website. Some Idahoans have installed rooftop solar because of the credits that reduce the cost of their power bill. When customers with solar power generate more energy than they use, the extra energy is sent to Idaho Power's grid. The company then credits those individuals for the energy at a set rate, called the export credit rate. In December 2023, the utilities commission made a final ruling on a new 'net billing' program, which requires that Idaho Power file an updated export credit rate each year on April 1. Solar advocates and owners said this year's proposed change in rates is drastic. 'People in Idaho go solar because it lowers their power bills, gives them energy freedom and security, and helps the environment,' Alex McKinley, the owner of Empowered Solar, said in an Idaho Sierra Club press release. 'Idaho Power is trying to take that opportunity away from people by skewing these rooftop solar rates in its favor. It's not right.' The credit rate varies depending on when the energy demand is the highest in the year, such as in the summer months — June 1 to Sept. 30. Idaho Power currently has the export credit rate set at: Summer on-peak hours: 16.99 cents/kWh Summer off-peak hours: 5.6 cents/kWh Non-summer: 4.8 cents/kWh The proposed export credit rate, which the commission will change by June 1, is: Summer on-peak hours : 14.05 cents/kWh Summer off-peak hours: 1.76 cents/kWh Non-summer: 0.959 cents/kWh 'I looked at the rates they're proposing, and it's bad,' Sahlein said. 'It's less than one cent per kilowatt hour in the non-summer months, so it's like an 80% drop in the credit on any non-summer day or time. That's wild to me.' Sahlein said the changes would make it hard for him to break even on his investment. Idaho Power spokesman Jordan Rodriguez said the main reason behind the decrease in credit rates is that 2024 saw lower energy market prices compared to the 2022 market prices used to determine the current rates. 'The (export credit rate) reflects the market value of the energy at the time it is exported to Idaho Power, combined with additional compensation for the benefit on-site generators bring to the grid,' he said. Solar advocates say utilities proposal contradicts clean energy goals. Idaho Power disagrees. The change in rates ensures Idaho Power is paying fair market prices for the energy it receives, which are adjusted annually, he said. 'Idaho Power supports clean energy and is using an increasing amount of solar and other clean resources in our energy mix,' he told the Sun. 'On-site generation has the potential to reduce how much energy Idaho Power needs to generate or purchase during some hours of some days, but it's not sufficient to meet all our needs and is non-firm power, meaning there is no guarantee it will be generating and available when we need it.' The change would affect residents without legacy status, as well as large commercial, industrial, or irrigation customers who installed systems after December 2020, and Oregon customers who installed solar panels after June 2024. Rodriguez said 5,300 out of 19,000 Idaho Power customers have legacy status, so they would not be impacted. Individuals wanting to leave feedback on the proposed changes can leave comments on the Idaho Public Utilities Commission's website, using the case number IPC-E-25-15. The commission is expected to make a decision before the new rates take effect on June 1. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Want rooftop solar? What Idaho Power seeks to pay for your electricity
Lisa Young had said for years that if Idaho Power received approval to overhaul its method of compensating homeowners for power produced by their rooftop solar panels, the company would try still to pay them less. In early 2024, the utility got the green light from the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to change its compensation structure. Young, the director of the Idaho chapter of the Sierra Club, had fought the proposal. She argued that it undervalued customer-generated solar and added complexity to the system that could discourage Idahoans from investing in clean energy. While the changes mostly affected rooftop solar, they also applied to other methods of on-site energy generation like windmills, geothermal and small hydro projects. Idaho Power's net metering policy previously allowed customers to receive credits on their utility bills equivalent to retail electricity rates when they produced more energy than their households needed. For every kilowatt hour of solar energy sent to the grid, the customer received a kilowatt-hour credit. But the overhaul lowered that rate, known as the export credit rate, and replaced what's known as net monthly billing with real-time net billing. It shifted energy valuation to on-peak and off-peak times. Rates would be higher in the hot summer months — particularly in the evenings, when Idaho Power says it experiences its largest demand — and lower in the winter. Rates for homeowners were previously between 8 cents to 10 cents per kilowatt hour, depending on the amount of energy used. Now, the average annual rate is about 6 cents. The order from the commission gave Idaho Power a path to adjust the rates annually. Young had noted that, in prior cases, the company had valued customer-generated solar power as low as nearly 2 cents per kilowatt-hour. 'They have their sights set on a much lower rate,' Young previously told the Idaho Statesman. She was right. Idaho Power filed an application with state regulators on Tuesday asking to cut the amount of money paid to rooftop solar owners by more than half. The company proposed lowering the export credit rate for summer on-peak hours to 14 cents, down from 17 cents, and off-peak hours outside the summer season to 0.9 cents, down from 4.8 cents. It would compensate energy exported in off-peak summer hours at 1.7 cents, according to the application. The average annual rate would be 2.4 cents. Jeremy Brunson, a high school teacher who installed solar panels on his Meridian home, said in a statement through the Sierra Club that before the changes to the compensation structure, he generated enough power over the winter to completely cover his power bills. But not anymore. 'I have generated more energy than I have used over the last month, and I will still have a bill,' Brunson said. 'From what I understand with their recent proposal, this compensation rate is going to get only worse.' A spokesperson for Idaho Power did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday. The utility has said that the reduction in compensation rates is tied to the rising popularity of solar systems. Idaho Power argued that previous pricing overcompensated customers with solar at the expense of those without. About 12,000 customers, or 2% of the company's roughly 600,000 customers, participate in on-site generation. 'We're trying to achieve a fair and accurate valuation of customers' exported energy,' Jordan Rodriguez, a spokesperson for Idaho Power, previously told the Statesman. Hundreds opposed changes to rooftop solar credits in Idaho. It was just approved anyway Boise has promised carbon neutrality by 2050. Can the city meet its goals under Trump? Meta, Micron projects will guzzle Idaho electricity, lawmakers say. Who's going to pay? Boise Airport is now fully on clean energy. How city and Idaho Power cut reliance on coal
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Idaho utilities commission to host events for Veolia's request to increase water rates
Veolia employs nearly 179,000 people worldwide, and it is Idaho's largest water utility. (Courtesy of Veolia) The Idaho Public Utilities Commission is hosting a series of events ahead of a decision on whether to allow Veolia Water to raise its rates. Veolia is Idaho's largest utility, and it is requesting to increase rates by 20.5 percent. If the commission approves the request in full, the average residential customer's bill would increase by $6.77 per month and the average commercial customer's bill would increase by $24.63 per month. Included in the utility's service territory are customers who were previously served by Eagle Water Company. These customers were granted legacy status, which set their rates at a fixed amount for a period of time. Rates will continue to phase in over time. If the utility's request is approved in full, the Eagle average residential customer will see an increase of $4.52 per month and the average Eagle commercial customer will see an increase of $16.42 per month. The commission will host three events meant to first answer questions from the public, second event to take testimony from customers, and third to hear from parties to the case. Each event will include options to listen in through the phone. When: 6 p.m. March 20 How to participate: Visit and enter meeting number 2630 100 0592. Click 'Join,' and enter the password: VeoliaWorkshop. Next click 'Join Webinar' and enter name and email. To participate by phone, call 1-415-655-0001 and enter meeting number 2630 100 0592. When: 6 p.m. May 13 Where: Idaho Public Utilities Commission, 1331 W. Chinden Blvd., Building 8, Suite 201-A, Boise In-person attendance is required to submit testimony. Those interested in listening in can call 1-415-655-0001 and enter meeting number 2862 059 1623. When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 21 Where: Idaho Public Utilities Commission, 1331 W. Chinden Blvd., Building 8, Suite 201-A, Boise A technical hearing is an opportunity for parties to the case to present witnesses, testimony and exhibits. To watch online, visit and enter meeting number 2861 175 6228. Then click 'Join,' and enter the password VeoliaHearing. Next click 'Join Webinar' and enter name and email. To listen to the hearing over the phone, please call 1-415-655-0001 and enter meeting number 2861 175 6228. Veolia customers can submit comments related to Veolia's application on the Idaho Public Utilities Commission's website. Comments must include the individual's name and address. Customers can also mail comments to: Idaho Public Utilities Commission P.O. Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0074 When filing comments, customers must reference the rate case docket number: VEO-W-24-01. The last time Veolia changed its rate was in 2022. The Idaho Public Utility Commission must approve, reject or modify the proposal. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
