20250203Comments_6.pdf

From:Audrey Heinan <[e-mail]>
Sent: Saturday, February 1, 2025 2:04 AM
To: secretary
Subject: Public Input,Avista Rate Increase
To Whom it May Concern:
I was informed by a local news post that you are seeking public input on Avista's request to increase their rates.
Please do not approve:this would be just one more burden on a struggling community.
I don't have a very scholarly opinion, but I can give you my real life experience.For someone like myself with a legal
disability but only on SSI and only able to work part time,by budget is already stretched to the absolute max. My
utility bills are going on a credit card that I cannot hope to pay off,and am getting charged interest on. I already
keep my heat down as low as I can;I already only turn on lights when I directly need them.I don't have internet,
except what comes on my visible phone plan. I conserve energy the absolute best that I can:yet my bill is still$100
a month-for just one person.For someone only getting an average of$1,000 total a month between my
employment and SSI,$100 is a significant chunk:especially considering that$800+of that already goes to rent.
People struggling like me simply CANNOT take on increases. Every$15-$20 means less food to eat,literally.
I know that not everyone has such a drastic case:but from what I see as costs rise everywhere,the average
person's pay check stays the same.No one can long endure cost increases without income increases as well.
I hope there is a solution to Avista's request that does not put more burden on a community that is already heavily
burdened by the drastic increase in basic costs of living over the last 5 years,and on persons like myself who are
living at the poverty level.
Thankyou,sincerely,
Audrey Heinan
2308 W John Loop,Apt.305
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
[e-mail]
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From: Brian H <[e-mail]>
Sent: Saturday, February 1, 2025 8:06 AM
To: secretary
Subject:Avista rate hikes
Hello, I'm emailing you to let you know my thoughts on the current proposed rate
hikes. I'm fine with the hikes on the power and gas but the basic charge increase from 20
to 30 is outrageous.That is per meter and if you have Avista power and Avista gas the base
fee would then be $60. That is without a single watt or therm supplied. Eight years ago my
power bill was a total of$40-60. Now it's $90 or above because of these stupid basic
meter fees. I could have my gas appliances shut off and main breaker off and still owe this
company$60 a month. Let's bring these charges back down to a sane level.
Thanks
Concerned Idaho Resident
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name:Jon Rolfe
Submission Time: Feb 1 2025 4:24PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 3804 Broken Arrow Road
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815
Name of Utility Company:Avista
Case ID: AVU-G-25-01
Comment: "I would like to object to the "Basic Charge" increases requested and previously granted to
Avista. In 2022, it was increased from $7 to $15 (114%) and from $15 to $20(33%) in 2023. Now,they've
requested another 25% increase to $25 monthly each for both electricity and natural gas.
This Basic Charge annual increase discourages the consumer's effort to conserve energy usage.
I personally would rather see adjustments to base rates to reflect Avista's return on investment that a
continual increase in Basic Charges.
Thank you!"
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From: Brett Nunn <[e-mail]>
Sent: Saturday, February 1, 2025 6:34 PM
To: secretary
Subject: 2025/2026 Avista Rate Increase
Hello,
I am a resident of Post Falls, Kootenai County, ID. I am writing as a member of the public to
protest, in the strongest possible terms, against the proposed Avista 2025/2026 utility rate
increase.
I remember being an Avista utility customer in 2017 and never paying more than $35/mo to
heat my home. I now pay over$100/mo. Under the proposed rate increase, I will pay
approximately$130/mo. That is a 270% increase. By comparison, the median household
income of Kootenai County residents in 2017 was$54,000 and $75,000 in 2025. (Kootenai
Co official govt statistics-kcgov.us)That is an increase of only 39%.
The cost of living in Kootenai County is dramatically outpacing local incomes. Meanwhile,
Avista Utilities has a $2.76 billion market cap with their CEO earning$5.2 million in
compensation in 2024 according to their internal financial reports.
Why should the residents of Kootenai County, or anywhere else in Idaho be expected to
shoulder yet another price increase from a provider they have no choice but to buy from
when their executives and shareholders earn so much? I recognize that utility service
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providers cannot cut back on services provided as costs increase. However, it is made
clear by Avista's internal financial reports and total market value that cost increases are
not impacting their executive compensation packages. If cost increases do not impact
their pocket books, why then should they impact ours?
I am certain that operating expenses are doubtless increasing for Avista. However, it
seems that these increases are more targeted at recovering expenses related to adjusting
executive and shareholder compensation than recovering operating expenses.
It is for these reasons I am urging as categorically as possible that the IPUC deny Avista
this rate increase.
Very Respectfully,
Mr. Brett Nunn
[phone]
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From: KaLeisha Jetton<[e-mail]>
Sent: Saturday, February 1, 2025 10:24 PM
To: secretary
Subject:Avista Rate Increase for North Idaho-Statement
Hello,
My email was kicked back so I hope this is the correct place to share my concerns. As I am
sure you are reading from others, we have many concerns with the proposed rate increase
for Avista in our area. Our area is quickly becoming unaffordable for those who have called
this area home for our entire lives. Between rising house prices, taxes, groceries etc. it is
hard to just make ends meet.
My husband is 100% service-connected disabled veteran and owns our home. Our electric
and gas bill is already$200 a month. I don't know where we are supposed to come up with
another nearly$600 per year(—$50 a month)to pay for this proposed increase.
With the amount of money we are already paying for our electric and natural gas, I would
Like to understand where Avista is spending it's current profit. I know 99.9% of companies
don't ask their customers for more money for technology or maintenance. When it is time
to change with the market, they invest in themselves and when they can offer something
new, then they sell the new item/service if their customers want it. Or a bill is added to a
ballot for the people to vote on. What makes Avista different?
The thing that makes Avista different and gives them the power to use this model is that our
Lives and safety literally depends on them.Without Avista we can't heat our homes, my
husband's medical equipment to survive is useless, his medication that has to stay
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refrigerated goes bad.Therefore, if this rate hike is approved, we don't have a choice to not
buy their service because we can't afford it.We don't have the option to shop around, we
like many other residents will have to choose to put dinner on the table every night or heat
the house.
As our local government, you have the ability and obligation to do what is best for your
community.To protect those that call North Idaho home. Those that have no other options,
who are disabled, sick,just trying to get by.We are a community who still goes out to help
our neighbors plow their driveway or shovel their porches, run errands for the widow next
door, or go searching for a missing kid in Clark Fork. But these type of policies and changes
risk pushing these people out and replacing them with out of staters that can afford these
price hikes.
Therefore, I humbly request you deny this request from Avista or delay approval until you
can put it on a ballot for people to vote on. Please be the voice of your community, protect
the people and preserve the north Idaho culture that we all respect and love.
Kind Regards,
KaLeisha Jetton
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Mark Lockamy
Submission Time: Feb 12025 6:16PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 2599 W Polo Green Ave
Post Falls, ID 83854
Name of Utility Company:Avista
Case ID: AVU-G-25-01
Comment: "Hello,
I am writing to request that the Idaho PUC protect the hard working men and women of Idaho. Avista's
proposed increase of 10.3 % in 2025 and 1.3 % in 2026 will put a hardship on already burdened residents
of North Idaho. We have seen inflation erode the buying power of the working men and women .
Combined with the Electric increase request of 14.3%and 1.3% proposes a significant cost increase for
us to absorb.
As you know, housing prices have doubled since 2020, real estate taxes continue to rise, food, utilities, all
on the rise.
I understand Avista has to cover costs, but a 20% plus increase in Electric and a 11.6% increase in Natural
Gas in the next two years seems excessive to me.
I did not get a 30% pay raise.
Please deny Avista's proposed increase.
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Sincerely;
Mark A. Lockamy
2S99 W Polo Green Ave
Post Falls, Idaho 838S4
208-217-0332"
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