20230322Comments(1)_1.pdf

CE!VED
22 AM10:06 JONN SANDO RUDD
1292 Highland Drive
SSI Moscow ID 83843
March 19,2023
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O.Box 83720
Boise,ID 83720-0074
Dear Sir or Madam,
The recent request by Avista to raise 2023 electrical power rates to its Idaho customers in a 2 stage
process is excessive.
CASE ID:AVU-E-23-01
Currently Idaho residents are dealing with a very high rate of inflation as reported by the U.S.Bureauof
Labor &Statistics as follows:
Jun.22:9.1%
Aug.22:8.5%
Sep.22:8.2%
Oct.22:7.7%
Nov.22:7.1%
Dec.22:6.5%
Jan.23:6.4%
Feb.23 6.0%
These are alarming numbers that must be considered when reviewing Avista's request.
Most of Avista's Idaho customers will find this rate increase very difficult to financially budget for.
In addition,the Social Security Administration has issued a "Cost of LivingAdjustment or COLA"of 8.7%
for 2023,providing further evidence of the struggle which Idaho residents expect to endure this year.
These factors show how difficult this rate increase will be for -and the impact on -Avista's Idaho
customers.
Finally,let us not forget the recent past when Avista assured this Commission of it's solid financial
footing in it's failed attempt to sell itself to Hydro-One and the province of Ontario,Canada.
This Commission wisely revisited Avista's request and disapproved it after much public outcry.
The same level of review including recent wage increases of the top 20 Avista individuals is due now.
Sincerely,
John &Sandra Rudd