Oregon Public Utility Commission Approved Avista Rate Increase
The Oregon Public Utility Commission recently approved an overall increase in rates for Avista customers that will go into effect October 31.
The change is the result of several annual adjustments, including a decrease in natural gas prices combined with other filings focused on energy efficiency and customer programs.
The combined result of these annual filings means the monthly bill of a typical residential customer using an average of 46 therms per month will increase by $1.75 or 2.56%, bringing the average monthly bill to about $70.18.
Each year the PUC reviews the actual cost of natural gas and approves adjustments to rates accordingly through a process called the Purchased Gas Adjustment. The PGA allows utilities to pass through the cost of purchasing natural gas to customers without a markup on the price.
This year, natural gas prices were moderate, and Avista collected more than needed from customers last year. As a result, the PGA led to a decrease in natural gas costs in customers’ bills.
Despite the lower gas prices, other approved updates, such as funding for energy efficiency programs and customer support services, resulted in a net increase in rates. Altogether, these changes will raise Avista’s total revenue, or the amount collected from customers, by $4.1 million.
Avista serves more than 100,000 customers in portions of southwest and northeastern Oregon. You can contact Avista at (800) 227-9187 or visit their website, www.myavista.com.
Posted on 10/29/25 10:20AM by Alex Bauer
