Heating bills expected to decrease by 5%

More than 2,300 Boundary County residences and businesses served by Avista can expect a 4.7 percent decrease in their heating bills.

If Idaho Public Utility Commission approves the rate reduction request by Avista, a residential customer who pays $82.12 a month can expect to save $3.89 a month. The new bill will be $78.23. The price was proposed to go into effect on Tuesday.

“That’s good news for the new year,” said Avista spokeswoman Jessie Wuerst.

The reason for the decrease is a decline in wholesale natural gas prices .

“Wholesale natural gas prices have declined since Avista filed its annual Purchase Gas Cost Adjustments in September,” said Kelly Norwood, Avista vice president for state and federal regulation. “We believe it is important during these challenging economic times that our customers receive the benefit from these lower natural gas prices now rather than waiting until annual PGAs are filed again next fall.”

About 75 percent of an average residential customer’s monthly natural gas bill is the cost of the natural gas and pipeline transportation. The remaining 25 percent is Avista’s fixed costs to provide natural gas service through its distribution system.

Annual PGA filings are typically made once a year to pass through changes in the cost of natural gas Avista acquires to serve customers. PGA filings do not impact company

 earnings.

Avista offers rebates and incentive programs to help residential and commercial customers manage their costs through a reduced energy use. For information on the energy efficiency programs and on low- and no-cost energy saving ideas, visit www.everylittlebit.com.