PUC Approves lower rates for Avista customers starting November 1
By Garrett Christensen on Thursday, October 31st, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
EASTERN OREGON — The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) recently approved a decrease in rates for Avista customers that goes into effect November 1, 2024.
The PUC approves adjustments annually to the rates of the three regulated natural gas companies, including Avista Utilities, Cascade Natural Gas, and NW Natural, to reflect changes in the actual cost of wholesale priced natural gas. This annual adjustment, known as the purchased gas adjustment (PGA), allows companies to pass through their actual cost of purchasing gas to customers without a markup on the price.
This decrease is largely due to the lower than anticipated price of natural gas last year as compared with projections when rates were set, which resulted in over-collection of revenues from customers last year. The over-collected funds are used to reduce collections from customers this year. Additionally, customers experienced a mild winter, which reduced the demand for natural gas services.
Below is the average impact for each customer type as a result of this annual adjustment decision:
- Residential Customers – The monthly bill of a typical customer using an average of 47 therms per month will decrease by $6.15 or 8.7 percent, from $70.53 to $64.38.
- Commercial Customers – The monthly bill of a typical customer using an average of 204 therms per month will decrease by $28.26, or 10.7 percent, from $264.31 to $236.05.
- Industrial Customers – The monthly bill of a typical customer using an average of 3,641 therms per month will decrease by $550.84, or 24.7 percent, from $2,233.42 to $1,682.58.
“Oregon’s purchased gas adjustment mechanism reflects that the cost of natural gas is driven largely by regional, national, and global factors outside the utility’s control, but it also creates incentives to keep utilities accountable for careful management within those market conditions,” said PUC Chair Megan Decker. “We are fortunate this year to see the stabilizing supply and demand of natural gas ease financial pressures on consumers.”
To increase energy efficiency and save on future bills, review Energy Trust of Oregon’s current incentives and opportunities, including income-qualified offers and learn more about low-cost and no-cost tips to reduce energy consumption. For information about bill payment assistance options, available utility discount programs, and the Comfort Level Billing program that equalizes bill payments across winter and summer months, contact Avista at 800-227-9187 or view information online. Customers may also contact their local Community Action agency to request information on what assistance programs they may be eligible for and how to enroll.
Avista serves more than 100,000 customers in portions of southwest and northeastern Oregon.
