Avista Natural Gas Bills to Increase Oct. 31 Following Oregon PUC Approval

Avista’s Oregon natural gas customers will see higher bills beginning Oct. 31 after the Oregon Public Utility Commission approved the utility’s annual purchased gas adjustment and related rate changes.

A typical residential customer using 45 therms of natural gas per month will pay approximately $5.83 more each month, an increase of about 8.5%. Individual bill changes will depend on customer type and how much gas they use.

The annual purchased gas adjustment accounts for the wholesale cost of natural gas Avista buys for its customers. It includes an estimate of gas costs for the coming year and reconciles the previous year’s projections with actual costs. Those gas purchase costs are passed through to customers without a markup.

According to the commission, this year’s changes include accounting adjustments and the expiration of certain prior-year gas cost adjustments. Updates to the public purpose charge and other rate adjustments also take effect at the same time.

The overall change also includes adjustments to offset lower customer use during last year’s unusually warm winter.

Commission Chair Letha Tawney said the annual review is intended to keep rates aligned with the cost of providing service. She said the commission remains focused on transparency and protecting customers from unnecessary rate impacts.

Customers seeking help with their bills can call Avista at 800-227-9187 or review the utility’s Oregon assistance programs. Local Community Action agencies may also be able to help customers find support.

Energy-saving tips and information about rebates are available through the Energy Trust of Oregon.

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