20260306News Release.pdf

Idaho Public Utilities Commission Brad Littte,Governor
P.O. Box 83720. Boise. ID 83720-0074 Edward Lodge, Resident
John R.Hamnwnd, Jr.,Commissioner
Dayn Hardie,Commissioner
Case No.AVU-E-26-01
Order No. 36953
Contact:Adam Rush
Office: [phone]
E-mail Address: [e-mail]
NEWS RELEASE: Northern Idaho electric utility submits application seeking rate increase that
would pay for energy efficiency programs.
BOISE (March 6, 2026) —Avista Utilities has submitted an application to the Idaho Public
Utilities Commission seeking approval of a rate increase that would pay for energy efficiency
programs offered to customers.
The programs are designed to help the utility's Idaho customers conserve energy. They include
rebates for installing energy-efficient products like Energy Star certified windows and
educational outreach to help customers reduce energy usage and costs.The programs are funded
by an energy efficiency rider charge on customer bills.
The utility said the energy efficiency programs were underfunded by approximately $24.6
million,and that the amount was attributed to an unprecedented level of customer participation
in the small business lighting direct-install program and increased participation in the utility's
site specific program.The programs help businesses make upgrades to lighting and measure the
energy that is saved after an energy efficiency project is completed.
Avista proposes to increase rates by approximately 7.7 percent. If the application is approved by
the Commission as filed, residential electric customers using an average of 939 kilowatt hours
per month would see their monthly bills increase from $115.54 to $124.44.
The rate increase would generate approximately $25.2 million and allow the utility to recover
energy efficiency program costs in 2025 that exceeded what was collected in rates. The increase
also would allow Avista to fund the programs in 2026.
The Commission is accepting written comments on Avista's application until March 27, 2026.
Comments are required to be submitted through the Commission's website or by e-mail unless
computer access is not available.To submit comments through the website, visit puc.idaho.gov
and click on the"Case Comment Form" link on the upper left side of the page. Please use case
numberAVU-E-26-01 when filling out the form. Comments submitted through e-mail should be
sent to the e-mail addresses listed below. Commenters should include their name, address and
case number AVU-E-26-0 1. If computer access is not available, comments can be mailed to the

Commission and Avista at the addresses listed below. Commenters are required to include their
name, address and case number AVU-E-26-01 in correspondence.
For the Idaho Public Utilities Commission:
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
Commission Secretary
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83702-0074
[e-mail]
For Avista Utilities:
Anni Glogovac
Shawn Bonfield
Avista Corporation
P.O. Box 3727, MSC 33
1411 E. Mission Avenue
Spokane,WA 99220-3727
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
Additional information onAvista's application is available at: puc.idaho.gov/case/Details/7703.