Avista requests rate increase

Increased capital investments in infrastructure, technology and system modernization are the major drivers in Avista’s request filed today with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to increase electric and natural gas base rates.

Avista’s request, if approved, is designed to increase annual electric revenues by 6.7 percent or $33.2 million and annual natural gas revenues by 6.9 percent or $12.0 million. Both requests are based on a proposed rate of return on rate base of 7.46 percent with a common equity ratio of 48 percent and a 9.9 percent return on equity.

“Our general rat...