20090519Press Release.pdf

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A VISTA UTILITIES
Exhibit "B"
Media Notice to Public of Applicant's Proposed Tariffs
May 18,2009
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Contact:
Debbie Simock - [phone], debbie.simocktâavistacorp.com
Avista 24/7 Media Line [phone]
Avista Requesting to Lower Natural Gas Prices for Washington and
Idaho Customers for Second Time This Year
Price decreases would make customer rates the lowest in four years
SPOKANE, Wash. - May 19, 2009: Avista today filed requests with the utility commissions in
Washington and Idaho to reduce natural gas prices by 8.1 percent and 6.7 percent respectively,
effective June 1. If approved, this would be the second time in 2009 that Avista customers in both
states will see a decrease in their natural gas rates.
"Natural gas prices have continued to decline since our last rate decrease was effective in January.
We know many of our customers are concerned about expenses in this economy and we want to
pass these additional savings on to our customers as soon as possible," said Kelly Norwood,
Avista vice president for state and federal regulation. "In addition, we are now purchasing natural
gas for the next heating season and plan to file by September for a third decrease, provided
natural gas prices do not escalate substantially over the summer."
If the request is approved by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC), a
residential customer using an average of 70 therms per month would see a decrease of $7.02, or
8.1 percent, for a revised monthly bill of $79.43. Avista's 146,000 Washington natural gas
customers received a 3.0 percent decrease in January 2009.
If the request is approved by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC), an Idaho customer
using an average of 65 therms per month would see a $5.26, or 6.7 percent decrease for a revised
monthly bill of $72.97. Avista's 73,000 Idaho natural gas customers received a 4.7 percent
decrease in January 2009.
Purchased Gas Cost Adjustment (PGA) filngs are usually made annually in the fall to pass through
changes in the cost of natural gas Avista acquires to serve customers. Each month Avista
calculates the difference between the price that Avista pays for natural gas and the price that
customers pay in rates. The difference between the two amounts is set aside and trued up through
annual PGA adjustments. In this instance, natural gas prices have declined, so Avista is refunding
the difference to customers prior to its annual PGA filing. These changes in natural gas costs and
the PGA rate adjustments do not increase or decrease Avista's earnings.
About 75 percent of an average residential customer's monthly Avista natural gas bill is the cost of
the gas and pipeline transportation. The remaining 25 percent is Avista's fixed costs to provide
natural gas service through its distribution system.
Avista offers a number of rebates and incentive programs to help residential, commercial and
industrial customers manage their costs through reduced energy use. Some residential effciency
improvements may also qualify for Federal energy tax credits. Information on Avista's energy
efficiency programs and low- and no-cost energy saving ideas is available at
www.everylittlebit.com .
Avista Corp. is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of
energy as well as other energy-related businesses. Avista Utilities is our operating division that
provides service to 355,000 electric and 315,000 natural gas customers in three Western states.
Avista's primary, non-regulated subsidiary is Advantage IQ. Avista stock is traded under the ticker
symbol "AVA." For more information about Avista, please visit ww.avistacorp.com.
Avista Corp. and the Avista Corp. logo are trademarks of Avista Corporation.
This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the company's current
expectations. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than historical facts. Such
statements speak only as of the date of the news release and are subject to a variety of risks and
uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control, which could cause actual results
to differ materially from the expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, in addition to those
discussed herein, all of the factors discussed in the company's Annual Report on Form 1 O-K for the
year ended Dec. 31, 2008, and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
31,2009.
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