20260316Comments_20.pdf

The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Kassie Smith
Submission Time: Mar 14 2026 2:49PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 1231 Walenta Dr
Moscow, ID 83843
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Case ID: AVU-E-26-01
Comment: "I am writing regarding the proposed 7.4% rate adjustment affecting Idaho
residents who depend on Avista Utilities as the sole provider of electricity in their
communities. Avista is the only provider available to most communities, meaning residents
cannot seek alternative providers if prices rise. The people served by this utility are not
customers, rather individuals and families relying on an essential service. Regulatory
oversight serves as the only protection ensuring rates remain aligned with the economic
realities faced by the communities that depend on this service.
Electricity is not a discretionary purchase. It is a foundational household necessity required
for heating, cooling, food safety, communication and basic daily living.When increases to
essential utilities significantly outpace income growth, households have no practical way
to absorb those costs other than reducing spending on other essential needs.
As explained, the proposed adjustment would increase residential bills by 7.7%,
substantially exceeding the income growth most residents can expect. Wages in Idaho's
Largest counties rose approximately 3.9% in 2025, down from 5.1% in the previous two
years and 8.3%the year before that. Based on national trends, wage growth for the coming
year is expected to remain around 3.5% or lower. In addition, the federal Cost of Living
Adjustment for 2026 is only 2.8%. A utility rate increase that is more than double these
adjustments places households in the position of absorbing costs that are rising far faster
than their income.
Framing this increase only as a percentage understates its real impact on household
budgets. For many families, even modest monthly increases accumulate into meaningful
annual costs that must be absorbed within already tight budgets.When essential utility
costs rise faster than wages,the cumulative effect is a steady increase in the share of
income required simply to maintain basic living conditions.
Many Idaho residents are also facing increased transportation costs as fuel prices
fluctuate due to global instability. Idaho's rural geography requires residents to travel
greater distances between towns for employment, healthcare, education and basic
services. These unavoidable transportation costs already place additional pressure on
household budgets compared with more densely populated states.
Sudden increases of this scale create rate shock, particularly for retirees, students and
working families living on fixed or slowly adjusting incomes. Utility costs represent a higher
percentage of income for lower- and middle-income households, meaning percentage
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increases disproportionately affect those least able to absorb them. These same
households are also more likely to live in older or less energy-efficient homes,where higher
baseline energy use further amplifies the financial impact of percentage rate increases.
Essential utilities operate with public trust and protected market positions. Because
residents cannot choose another provider, it is critical that affordability and rate stability
remain central considerations when evaluating proposed increases.When a service is both
essential and unavoidable, affordability must carry equal weight with infrastructure
investment and operational cost recovery. I urge scrutiny of the proposed 7.4% - 7.7%
increase and ask that any approved adjustment reflect the economic realities faced by
Idaho households."
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: John Hillman
Submission Time: Mar 14 2026 3:23PM
Email:[e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 1231 Walenta Dr
Moscow, ID 83843
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Case ID: AVU-E-26-01
Comment: "Electricity is not a discretionary expense. It is a foundational necessity for
heating, cooling, food safety, communication and daily living. Because of this,the people
served by Avista are not customers but individuals and families relying on an essential
service. When increases to essential utilities rise faster than income growth, households
are forced to absorb financial strain they cannot afford. IPUC is the only protection
ensuring rates are aligned with the economic realities of Idahoans that depend on Avista.
The proposed 7.4% increase substantially exceeds the income growth most residents can
expect. Wages in Idaho's largest counties rose approximately 3.9% in 2025, down from
5.1% in the previous two years and 8.3%the year before that. National trends suggest wage
growth for 2025-2026 will remain around 3.5% or lower.The federal Cost of Living
Adjustment for 2026 is only 2.8%.A rate increase more than double these benchmarks
requires households to absorb costs rising far faster than their income.
Framing this increase solely as a percentage understates its impact on household budgets.
Even modest monthly increases accumulate into meaningful annual costs that must be
absorbed within already tight budgets. Utility costs represent a higher percentage of
income for lower- and middle-income households, meaning increases disproportionately
affect those least able to afford them. These same households are also more likely to live in
older or less energy-efficient homes, where higher baseline energy use magnifies the
impact. The proposed increase is applied universally through the energy efficiency rider,
meaning households who cannot benefit from efficiency programs or rebates still bear the
cost, creating a disproportionate and inequitable burden.
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Idaho's renters are particularly affected. Renters make up roughly 28% of households
statewide and often spend more than 30% of their income on rent. Because they typically
cannot make home upgrades themselves, they receive little or no benefit from programs
funded by this rider, yet still pay the increased rates. This dynamic amplifies the inequity for
renters and other vulnerable households.
Avista operates with public trust and a protected market position. Because Idahoans
cannot choose another provider, affordability, equity and rate stability must remain central
in evaluating any proposed increase. For the record, when a service is both essential and
unavoidable, affordability should carry equal weight with infrastructure investment and
operational cost."
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The following comments were submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Regina White
Submission Time: Mar 14 2026 6:09PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 5725 W Highway 53 UNIT S
Rathdrum , ID 83858
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Case ID: AVE-E-26-01
Comment: "Please don't allow Avista another price increase this year. They have already
had one. They need to budget and cut better as all of us do that choose between medicine
and electricity. These frequent raises in prices of electricity are hurting my husband and
me. Everyyear, non-stop. So we had to learn to do some harsh budgeting and cutting out of
ANY little treats. I believe Avista could and SHOULD do the same. They are hurting the
community."
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Name: Deborah Bishop
Submission Time: Mar 14 2026 6:09PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 840 N Centennial Ct
COEUR D ALENE, ID 83814
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Case ID: AVE-E-26-01
Comment: "Please deny Avista the 7.7% increase they plan to impose on their customers.
They already raised our rates in 2026 and we should not be penalized because they
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underestimated the increase.This is certainly not the economic climate to increase our
cost of living expenses. So many of us are already struggling financially."
Thank you so very much!
Deborah Bishop
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Name: Shannon McEnroe
Submission Time: Mar 14 2026 7:37PM
Email: shan non.mcenroePgmail.com
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 934 W. Kyler Ave.
Hayden, ID 83835
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Case ID: AVE-E-26-01
Comment: "I request to deny the increase in rates due to the lack of planning on Avista. It's
not our fault and we shouldn't have to come up with the money's.Take it from the CEO'S
salary. "
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Name: Anita Anderson
Submission Time: Mar 14 2026 7:48PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 1003 East Norlyn Court
COEUR D ALENE, ID 83814
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Case ID: AVE-E-26-01
Comment: "I understand that Avista is over budget with all the weather and problems
happening in our region. Yet, I disagree with their request for a 7% increase in rates. We just
recently had a rate increase in 2026, why can Avista tighten it budget, and not pay out big
profits to owners. We as consumers have been receiving increases in everything from
groceries to electrical/gas services. I am personally doing everything I can to conserve
electricity/gas.Why can't Avista create a program to offer people who are conserving a
discount or some kind of break on utilities.
I thought Avista was a community minded company or is it just out for bigger profits."
Thank You,
Anita Anderson
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Name: JOYCE BURAGINO
Submission Time: Mar 14 2026 7:54PM
Email:joyceb4 maiLcom
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 1238 North Moonstone Street
Post Falls, ID 83854
Name of Utility Company: na
Case ID: AVE-E-26-01
Comment: "Hello, NO to the 7.7% increase to Avista! This should be denied! Avista has
already received a rate increase for 2026 and it's not the public's fault if they under
estimated their expenses. No one bails me out if I underestimate and neither should Avista.
They'll have to figure it out."
Thank you for listening.
Joyce Buragino
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Name: Melanie Jones
Submission Time: Mar 14 2026 8:OOPM
Email: dandmaemae(a)hotmail.com
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 11593 N Saxon Dr
Hayden, ID 83835
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Case ID: AVE-E-26-01
Comment: "Please deny the increase Avista is asking for. It's their error for under estimating
on the costs associated with their energy efficiency programs. This is not the public's fault
and we shouldn't be punished for their error. "
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Name: Jackie Burke
Submission Time: Mar 14 2026 9:34PM
Email:[e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 14666 N Pristine Circle
Rathdrum, ID 83858
Name of Utility Company: AVISTA
Case ID: AVE-E-26-01
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Comment: "I would like for you to deny Avista's request to do yet another increase of our
home electricity costs for the 2027 year, especially since there was already an increase
allowed for 2026. Please take into consideration how tough the economy is at this point in
time and do not allow this increase to occur. Thank you:'
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Name: Mark Jacobi
Submission Time: Mar 15 2026 6:04AM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 7155 E Greta Ave
Post Falls, ID 83854-6485
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Case ID: AVE-E-26-01
Comment: "ID
I would like you to deny Avista's request to increase its fees by 7.7% in order to offset their
accounting errors for their energy programs. I think there should be an independent audit
for this to find out the necessity of their energy programs and how they can avoid these
budgeting errors. That would be a huge increase for the long term. "
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Name: Jeanna Airriess
Submission Time: Mar 15 2026 6:39AM
Email: forpaws(afrontier.com
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 1701 east sherman avenue
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Case ID: AVE-E-26-01
Comment: "I'm on a fixed income, I already severely limit electric, gas and water
consumption (I do not use the heater in the winter-ONE space heater in the room I am in),
Laundry 1-2 times per month, etc. I can hardly keep my head above water as it is. A 7.7%
increase on an already high bill would necessitate further modifications including less food
(I already visit a food pantry), even less heat, further reduction of water usage, increased
minimal transports resulting in less income and hence, ability to pay the bill. I know that an
increase in Avista income is followed, or preceded by, EVERY company/service increasing. I
don't know where you all think we're getting the "extra" money because there is none.
Avista oversight is NOT our problem to pay for, never mind the massive increase in income
from the influx of residents they serve:'
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Donald Cameron
Submission Time: Mar 14 2026 9:37PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 27357 S Hwy 97
Harrison, ID 83833
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Case ID: AVU-E-26-01
Comment: "Dear Sirs and Madams,
I am strongly opposed to the application to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission by Avista
seeking approval of a 7.7% rate increase that would pay for energy efficiency programs
offered to customers for the following reasons:
--We just experienced a very significant increase in our electric bills in 2025
--The justification for the increase is unclear--is it to reduce electrical demand and the
consequent need for increased capital to meet it? If so, instead of extorting more money
from the general customer base to fund a select few, why not put pressure on customers
who significantly increase demand by their own choices, such as electric vehicle charging
stations? These people and businesses don't pay their fair share of highway road use taxes
through the fuels taxes. Are there any data centers in the service area that are, or are
projected to place high demand on the system?
I feel that these programs are public relations gimmicks and are involuntary charitable
donations. Informed customers have plenty of incentive themselves to upgrade their
appliances and home insulation to save money.
-- I could possibly be in favor of a rate increase if it were to improve service reliability or to
replace some source of purchased power that was no longer available
This public utility should stick to its purpose -- provide energy most efficiently and reliably.
It can continue to educate customers at very little cost about the benefits of conservation
in the flyers that accompany monthly billings, and it should ACTIVELY discourage usage of
electrical power for highway transportation when other cheaper, available, and hard facts
show, there are more environmentally friendly transportation fuel sources and vehicles that
don't put a burden on the electrical grid.
Thank you,
Donald Cameron"
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Mike Rowland
Submission Time: Mar 15 2026 10:22AM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: Weir Road
Athol, ID 83801
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Case ID: AVE-E-26-01
Comment: "I am a customer of Avista and I strongly oppose their request for another rate
increase for 2026 and any increase for the foreseeable future. The current rates already
have a significant impact on my budget."
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Sheri Crist
Submission Time: Mar 15 2026 2:05PM
Email: cristshe99(agmail.com
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 10160 N Justin Ct
Hayden , ID 83835
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Case ID: AVE-E-26-01
Comment: "Avista is asking the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to grant them an
increase of 7.7% in electricity because they under estimated their costs related to their
energy efficiency programs. I am asking that you deny this increase. Avista has already
received a rate increase for 2026 and it's not the public's fault if they under estimated their
expenses."
Thank you for your consideration on this matter.
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From: Jim Hubbard <[e-mail]>
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2026 5:54 PM
To: secretary<[e-mail]>
Subject: avista rate increase
NO! DENY THEIR REQUEST
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From: shaun mcwhorter<[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2026 9:26 AM
To: secretary<[e-mail]>
Subject: No rate increase
As an existing customer, already in a financial crisis I can not afford any further financial
pressure. Please do not raise rates.
Shaun McWhorter
Disabled Veteran
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From:Alan Hunter<[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2026 9:52 AM
To: secretary<[e-mail]>
Subject: avista rate increase
Hello. I recently heard of avista's request to increase their energy cost to the public. After
Looking at facts, it's easy to say no. It is reported their profit in 2025 was $193 million
dollars. To me, it is probable that the upper management is themselves making more
money than they deserve and most likely wanting more. With $193 million in profit last year
as well as previous years, it makes sense to lower costs to the public as many households
have a difficult time with increased bills as well as lower the exorbitant salaries to fat
executives.
Thankyou,
Alan Hunter
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Laurie Thomas
Submission Time: Mar 16 2026 1:23PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 3918 N Miners Loop
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Case ID: AVE-E-26-01
Comment: "I read the article regarding Avista's request for a rate increase to recover$25.2
million in energy efficiency program dollars from 2025. I do not understand why the
customers of Avista should have to pay for an efficiency program the company offered --
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The company should have known what they could afford to spend to reimburse and had a
cut off instead of asking customers to reimburse them:'
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Sara Stiner
Submission Time: Mar 16 2026 2:34PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 1301 E Lakeside , Ave
Coeur D Alene, ID 83814
Name of Utility Company: Avista
Case ID: AVE-E-26-01
Comment: "I am writing to formally oppose the proposed 7.7% electricity rate increase
requested byAvista.
Families across Idaho are already struggling with the rising cost of living. Electricity is not a
Luxury it is a basic necessity. Many households are doing everything they can just to stay
afloat, and another rate increase would place an even heavier burden on individuals and
families who are already stretched thin. While I understand that utilities must recover
costs, it is not reasonable for customers to bear the financial impact of cost
miscalculations or underestimations by the company. Consumers should not be penalized
for internal forecasting errors, especially when rate increases have already been approved
recently.
For many Idaho residents, higher electricity rates could mean making difficult choices
between paying for utilities, food, healthcare, or other essential needs. This is not a
sustainable or equitable outcome. I respectfully urge the Commission to deny this request
and prioritize the financial well-being of the public you serve.
Thank you for your time and consideration"
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Brandon Hobart
Submission Time: Mar 16 2026 3:06PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 4690 W Magrath Drive
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815
Name of Utility Company: Avista Utilities
Case ID: AVE-E-26-01
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Comment: "I am writing to oppose Avista Utilities' proposed 7.7% rate increase and urge
the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to reject or substantially modify this application.
Ratepayers Should Not Bear the Cost of Poor Planning Avista is asking Idaho customers to
cover a $24.6 million shortfall caused by the utility's failure to adequately forecast and
budget for its own programs. In any well-run private enterprise, cost overruns resulting from
poor planning are absorbed by the company—not passed on to consumers. Approving this
increase in full would reward fiscal mismanagement and remove any incentive for Avista to
exercise prudent financial oversight in the future.The Commission should scrutinize
whether this shortfall reflects a structural budgeting failure that demands accountability
before ratepayers are asked to pay more.
Mandatory Energy Efficiency Programs Undermine Consumer Choice The programs at the
center of this rate increase—funded through a mandatory rider charge—compel all
customers to subsidize initiatives they may not use or want.This is fundamentally at odds
with the principle of individual liberty and free market competition. Idaho families and
small businesses should have the freedom to make their own energy decisions without
being forced to fund rebate programs or government-style educational outreach through
their utility bills. If these programs have genuine value, customers should be able to opt in
voluntarily.
A 7.7% Increase Places a Real Burden on Idaho Families and Small Businesses A monthly
bill increase from $115.54 to $124.44 may appear modest in isolation, but it compounds on
top of rising costs that Idaho households are already absorbing—higher grocery prices,
fuel costs, and housing expenses. For fixed-income seniors, rural families, and small
business owners operating on thin margins, every dollar matters.The Commission must
weigh the cumulative financial burden on ratepayers against the claimed benefits of these
programs.
The Utility Should Explore Cost Reductions Before Seeking Rate Relief Before approving any
increase, the Commission should require Avista to demonstrate that it has exhausted all
internal cost-cutting measures. Regulatory bodies exist to protect the public from
monopoly pricing power.A regulated utility with a guaranteed customer base faces none of
the market discipline that would force a competitive business to tighten its belt.
Ratepayers in Idaho deserve assurance that every alternative was considered before their
bills were raised.
Conclusion
I urge the Commission to reject this application as filed, require Avista to submit a revised
proposal with meaningful cost reductions, and hold the utility accountable for the budget
overruns that created this shortfall. Idaho ratepayers deserve both affordable energy and a
utility that manages its programs responsibly."
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