Avista customers will see changes on their bill starting Nov. 1

SPOKANE, Wash. — Avista customers will see changes on their monthly bills starting Saturday.

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission approved the companies request to adjust electricity rates at its Oct. 23 meeting.

The company says the average electricity customer will see their bill rise to nearly $127, an increase of about $3 a month. While the monthly increase appears modest, electricity customers will pay roughly $17 more per month compared to last year’s rates.

However, the average monthly natural gas bill would drop to around $87, a decrease of almost $10 from current rates. Avista says the reduction stems from lower wholesale natural gas costs.

Avista said the increase would support the company’s Low-Income Rate Assistance Program.

“This rate increase is necessary to support the continuation and expansion of all Low-Income Rate Assistance Program components, which includes both an income-based bill discount as well as offerings intended to help customers manage their past due balances,” Avista stated in its proposal.

Some customers expressed frustration with the proposed changes when they were proposed.

“I don’t like it at all. Rates going up all the time, we barely had a pay raise this year,” said Josua Schuh, an Avista customer.

Ann Varnam, another customer, shared similar concerns about rising costs.

“Bills keep going up. Some of these companies, I feel like the top people are making mucho bucks,” Varnam said.

Additional rate increases are already scheduled for early 2026. Starting at the beginning of next year, both electric and gas rates will increase by less than $2 each, changes that the commission has already approved.