The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) is hosting an event this evening that will provide an opportunity for the public to comment on a proposed increase to Avista's natural gas rates.
Avista filed a request to increase overall revenues by $7.8 million. If approved, residential customers living in single-family homes using an average of 47 therms per month would see a bill increase of $4.39.
Actual percentage increases will vary depending on customer type, usage and the rate paid. Avista's general rate case filing proposes a 9.2% rate increase for residential single-family, a 6.9% increase for residential multi-family, a 10.2% increase for commercial and a 9.2% increase for industrial.
Avista asserts these proposed rate increases are necessary to account for investments in the system to improve capacity and safety.
Avista's general rate case filing is undergoing a nearly year-long review and will be fully investigated on behalf of natural gas customers by the PUC, the Oregon Citizens' Utility Board and others. These public comment events are part of that investigation, which will conclude in August when the Commissioners rule on the request. New rates, if approved, are expected to go into effect on September 1st.
Interested individuals may participate in the "live" event tonight from 6-7 p.m.. The meeting may go beyond the scheduled end time to allow more people to comment. Access the agenda, Zoom link and phone-in details at "bit.ly/412rzhO."
