Idaho - Rate Requests
Find information on Electric and Natural Gas tariffs, rate schedule, prices and rate history
On Jan. 31, 2025, Avista filed electric and natural gas general rate requests with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC or Commission) that would allow the Company to recover costs for fixed expenses and ongoing investments to infrastructure, technology, and more. If approved, new rates would be effective in Sept. 2025 and Sept. 2026.
All requests to change energy prices will be reviewed by the Commission, who then sets rates. The proposed monthly increase includes a $5 per month proposed increase in the basic charge. This plan would create a stay-out period where Avista would not file a new general rate case for new rates to be effective before Sept. 2027. This would provide customers with some predictability in their expected future energy prices. If approved, residential customers could expect to see the following changes in their monthly bills, based on average usage*:
| Effective in Sept. 2025 | Effective in Sept. 2026 | |
| Electric |
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| Natural Gas |
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*Average of 939 kilowatt hours per month electric use and 66 therms per month of natural gas use.
Q. Why is Avista requesting to change energy prices?
A. As costs for goods and services have gone up across the board, we recognize how challenging increases in energy prices can be. We work hard to manage our costs and make decisions that will help keep these costs affordable because we know this matters to you and all our customers.
Part of our responsibility in providing an essential service is to make sure you have energy when you need it. This means that we must continue to make important and necessary investments and upgrades to the very infrastructure that supplies and delivers your energy. It’s the necessary thing to do.
This includes replacing wood distribution poles and natural gas pipelines, making the utility system more resilient to the threat of wildfires and storms, upgrading technology and substations, and much more. The ongoing effort to align the rates customers pay with Avista’s costs to serve is one of the main reasons we file general rate requests.
Q. When would my bill change?
A. The Commission will decide when and if bills will change. Once a general rate request is filed, the process in Idaho can take up to nine months. During this time, the Commission will review our costs and relevant information, and listen to the public. With this material, they will set rates they believe are reasonable and fair.
We’ve requested a two-year plan, which would create a stay out period where Avista would not file a new general rate case for new rates to be effective prior to Sept. 2027.
Q. Who decides if and how much my bill will change?
A. Avista is a regulated utility which means we cannot change energy rates on our own. The utility Commission sets the rates customers pay for the energy they use. After reviewing Avista’s request and costs, relevant data and listening to the public, the Commission will set rates it believes are reasonable and fair to customers and Avista.
Q. What do our rates pay for?
A. Rates for electric and natural gas customers cover two types of costs:
- the cost of generating or purchasing energy
- the cost of delivering that energy to customers
Avista’s infrastructure investment plans address the need to replace infrastructure that has reached the end of its useful life, as well as respond to the need for reliability and technology investments required to build the integrated energy services grid that will take us into the future.
Below are some examples of infrastructure and system investments that are included in the requests.
- Ongoing management, inspection and replacement of 240,000 electric distribution wood poles through Avista’s wood pole management program, ensuring distribution wood poles and the equipment on them support the company’s ability to provide customers with safe and reliable power.
- Ongoing investment in Avista’s Wildfire Resiliency Plan, which outlines substantial steps that Avista has taken to guard against the growing threat of wildfires, including grid hardening, enhanced vegetation management, and many other industry-leading best practice measures.
- The ongoing project to systematically replace portions of natural gas distribution pipe in Avista’s service area that were installed prior to 1987, as well as replacement of other natural gas service equipment to strengthen the integrity, safety and reliability of the system.
- Technology upgrades that support necessary business processes and operational efficiencies that allow Avista to effectively manage the utility and serve customers.
Q. Where can customers go if they need help with their bills?
A. To assist customers in managing their energy bills, Avista offers services for customers such as comfort level billing, payment arrangements, and Customer Assistance Referral and Evaluation Services (CARES), which assist special-needs customers through referrals to area agencies and churches for help with housing, utilities, medical assistance, and other needs.
Avista provides energy efficiency and outreach programs that include rebates and incentives as well as tips and resources to help customers manage their energy use and energy bills. Customers can learn more at www.myavista.com.
Q. Where can I learn more?
A. Want to learn more about how rate cases work? Watch this short video or read more about how rates and tariffs work.