Avista seeks rate increase for energy efficiency programs

Case No. AVU-E-26-01 Order No. 36953 Contact: Adam Rush Office: (208) 334-0339 E-mail Address: adam.rush@puc.idaho.gov NEWS RELEASE: Northern Idaho electric utility submits application seeking rate increase that would pay for energy efficiency programs. BOISE (March 6, 2026) – Avista Utilities has submitted an application to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission seeking approval of a rate increase that would pay for energy efficiency programs offered to customers. The programs are designed to help the utility’s Idaho customers conserve energy. They include rebates for installing energy-efficient products like Energy Star certified windows and educational outreach to help customers reduce energy usage and costs. The programs are funded by an energy efficiency rider charge on customer bills. The utility said the energy efficiency programs were underfunded by approximately $24.6 million, and that the amount was attributed to an unprecedented level of customer participation in the small business lighting direct-install program and increased participation in the utility’s site specific program. The programs help businesses make upgrades to lighting and measure the energy that is saved after an energy efficiency project is completed. Avista proposes to increase rates by approximately 7.7 percent. If the application is approved by the Commission as filed, residential electric customers using an average of 939 kilowatt hours per month would see their monthly bills increase from $115.54 to $124.44. The rate increase would generate approximately $25.2 million and allow the utility to recover energy efficiency program costs in 2025 that exceeded what was collected in rates. The increase also would allow Avista to fund the programs in 2026. The Commission is accepting written comments on Avista’s application until March 27, 2026. Comments are required to be submitted through the Commission’s website or by e -mail unless computer access is not available. To submit comments through the website, visit puc.idaho.gov and click on the “Case Comment Form” link on the upper left side of the page. Please use case number AVU-E-26-01 when filling out the form. Comments submitted through e-mail should be sent to the e-mail addresses listed below. Commenters should include their name, address and case number AVU-E-26-01. If computer access is not available, comments can be mailed to the

Commission and Avista at the addresses listed below. Commenters are required to include their name, address and case number AVU-E-26-01 in correspondence. For the Idaho Public Utilities Commission: Idaho Public Utilities Commission Commission Secretary P.O. Box 83720 Boise, ID 83702-0074 secretary@puc.idaho.gov For Avista Utilities: Anni Glogovac Shawn Bonfield Avista Corporation P.O. Box 3727, MSC 33 1411 E. Mission Avenue Spokane, WA 99220-3727 anni.glogovac@avistacorp.com shawn.bonfield@avistacorp.com AvistaDockets@avistacorp.com Additional information on Avista’s application is available at: puc.idaho.gov/case/Details/7703.