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News Release

Parties Agree, State Regulators Approve A Lower Rate Increase For Avista Customers - 08/27/25

PARTIES AGREE, STATE REGULATORS APPROVE A LOWER RATE INCREASE FOR AVISTA CUSTOMERS

Average residential customer bill to increase about $1.36 September 1

 

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) recently approved the all-party stipulation between PUC staff, consumer groups, and Avista agreeing to a general rate increase at a lower level than originally requested.

 

The amount general rates will increase on September 1, 2025, differs based on customer type and energy usage. Stipulating parties agreed to an annual revenue increase of $4.2 million, or an overall average increase of 3.5 percent across all customer types combined, including residential, commercial, and industrial customers. This is a 46 percent decrease from Avista’s original request to increase annual revenue by $7.8 million. Residential customers using an average of 48 therms per month will experience a bill increase of approximately $1.36 or 2 percent on monthly bills.

 

Drivers for the increase include capital investments, such as expanding natural gas distribution facilities to meet customer needs and ensure reliability of service, replacement of outdated infrastructure, and maintenance of existing infrastructure and technology.   

 

“We appreciate the hard work of PUC staff and stakeholders as well as Avista’s cost-discipline to reach a compromise that significantly reduced the general rate case revenue requirement by over 45 percent from the original request,” said Letha Tawney, Commission Chair. “The approved increase balances the utility’s need to recover the cost of providing safe service with the Commission’s obligation to protect customers—particularly the most vulnerable customers--from unnecessary rate impacts. Thanks to House Bill 3179, customers can be assured their bills moving forward will not increase during the winter heating season, giving families more predictability when they need it most.”

 

Resources for Customers

To increase energy efficiency and save more on future bills, review Energy Trust of Oregon’s current incentives and opportunities, including income-qualified offers and learn more about  low-cost and no-cost tips to reduce energy consumption. For information about bill payment assistance options, contact Avista at 800-227-9187 or view information online. Customers may also contact their local Community Action agency to request information on what assistance programs they may be eligible for and how to enroll.

 

Avista serves approximately 106,500 natural gas customers in southwest and northeast Oregon.

 

# # #

 

Docket No.: UG 519

Parties Agree, State Regulators Approve A Lower Rate Increase For Avista Customers - 08/27/25

PARTIES AGREE, STATE REGULATORS APPROVE A LOWER RATE INCREASE FOR AVISTA CUSTOMERS

Average residential customer bill to increase about $1.36 September 1

 

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) recently approved the all-party stipulation between PUC staff, consumer groups, and Avista agreeing to a general rate increase at a lower level than originally requested.

 

The amount general rates will increase on September 1, 2025, differs based on customer type and energy usage. Stipulating parties agreed to an annual revenue increase of $4.2 million, or an overall average increase of 3.5 percent across all customer types combined, including residential, commercial, and industrial customers. This is a 46 percent decrease from Avista’s original request to increase annual revenue by $7.8 million. Residential customers using an average of 48 therms per month will experience a bill increase of approximately $1.36 or 2 percent on monthly bills.

 

Drivers for the increase include capital investments, such as expanding natural gas distribution facilities to meet customer needs and ensure reliability of service, replacement of outdated infrastructure, and maintenance of existing infrastructure and technology.   

 

“We appreciate the hard work of PUC staff and stakeholders as well as Avista’s cost-discipline to reach a compromise that significantly reduced the general rate case revenue requirement by over 45 percent from the original request,” said Letha Tawney, Commission Chair. “The approved increase balances the utility’s need to recover the cost of providing safe service with the Commission’s obligation to protect customers—particularly the most vulnerable customers--from unnecessary rate impacts. Thanks to House Bill 3179, customers can be assured their bills moving forward will not increase during the winter heating season, giving families more predictability when they need it most.”

 

Resources for Customers

To increase energy efficiency and save more on future bills, review Energy Trust of Oregon’s current incentives and opportunities, including income-qualified offers and learn more about  low-cost and no-cost tips to reduce energy consumption. For information about bill payment assistance options, contact Avista at 800-227-9187 or view information online. Customers may also contact their local Community Action agency to request information on what assistance programs they may be eligible for and how to enroll.

 

Avista serves approximately 106,500 natural gas customers in southwest and northeast Oregon.

 

# # #

 

Docket No.: UG 519