Avista proposes rate increases for gas, electric customers over the next four years

SPOKANE, Wash – Avista customers who use electric or natural gas can expect to pay more over the next four years, if the company’s proposed rate plan is approved.

Residential electric customers would see a 13.9% increase on their bill next year, with incremental increases in 2028, 2029 and 2030.

Avista released the information Friday, saying the increase is needed to keep up with rising costs, clean energy laws, the increased cost of purchasing power and protecting from the risk of wildfire and other weather events.

Avista notified customers via email around the same time it released the rate plan to newsrooms.

The rate plan has to be approved by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, which has 11 months to do so.

The rate increases are listed below.

Avista breaks down the cost to customers this way:

If approved, the average Washington residential electric customer using 925 kWh per month would see an increase from $124.23 today to $157.94 in 2030, with an initial $17.21 increase in 2027 and smaller amounts each year after.

The average Washington residential natural gas customer using 61 therms per month would see an increase from $91.06 today to $100.46 in 2030, with an initial $4.14 increase in 2027 and smaller amounts each year after.

“As a lifelong member of this community, I recognize that rising energy costs are difficult for our customers,” said Heather Rosentrater, Avista President and CEO. “While this rate request reflects what’s needed to maintain safe, reliable service, we’re committed to helping customers manage their bills through payment assistance programs and energy-saving tools, while continuing to control costs and investing in technology to improve efficiencies.”

Avista specifically cites compliance with Washington’s Climate Commitment Act as one of the reasons for the increase.

The controversial program creates a cap on carbon emissions and created a system of carbon auctions.

Critics blame the program on higher gas prices and energy costs.

The increase comes after the average Avista customer already saw a $17 a month year-over-year increase in November 2025. If the new increase is passed, the average customer’s bill would have risen $34 a month between October 2024 and January 2027.