SPOKANE, Wash. — You may be expecting last month’s cold weather to hit you in the wallet when the electricity bill shows up this month, but it may be an even bigger jump than you were expecting.
“There has been a little bit of rate increase,” said Meghan Pinch with Avista.
Over the last year, electricity rates rose from $0.09 per kilowatt-hour to now $0.11 per kilowatt-hour. That may not sound like a lot but it stacks up and ends up costing you and everyone else in the Inland Northwest significantly more.
“We’re feeling very frustrated,” said Lindsey Berry.
Pinch said rates are driven largely by infrastructure cost and fuel costs.
“A really important thing to remember is we are a regulated utility,” Pinch said. “The public utility commissions in Washington, Idaho and Oregon set our rates for us.”
Unfortunately, the increased bills may be too much to tackle for many consumers already dealing with rising inflation costs. Avista said to give them a call and see if you qualify for the company’s emergency assistance program.
“We also have a no cost weatherization program. If you meet certain income qualifications we will actually work with an agency to have the agency come weatherize your home,” said Pinch.
SNAP Spokane also opens its energy assistance program to new applicants on Tuesday, February 18.
While this month’s bill may have caught you by surprise, you can lower next month’s bill by sealing gaps where warm air might escape from your home. Also make sure to turn off heaters in rooms that are not being used and adjust the thermostat when you’re not home.
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