Avista seeks Idaho rate cuts for natural gas and hikes for electricity in annual filing
Executive summary: Avista filed its annual price adjustment proposal with the Idaho PUC to cut natural gas rates starting Nov 1 2026 and raise electric rates starting Oct 1 2026. The decision will directly affect customer utility bills and the utility’s revenue stream, signalling the outcome of the state’s yearly rate‑review process.
Who is involved: Avista Corp., Idaho Public Utilities Commission, Idaho natural gas and electricity ratepayers.
Likely next: The PUC will review the filing, hold public hearings likely in August, and issue a final order by September, after which the new rates would take effect on the scheduled dates.
Avista Corp. submitted its annual price adjustment request to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, proposing a reduction in natural gas rates effective November 1, 2026 and an increase in electric rates effective October 1, 2026. The filing follows the utility’s standard yearly review process and reflects changes in wholesale fuel costs and infrastructure investments. If approved, the adjustments would lower heating bills for gas customers while raising electricity bills for residential and commercial users. The outcome will depend on the commission’s review, public comment period, and final order expected later this year.
Timeline
- — Avista Makes Annual Price Adjustment Filings in Idaho (GlobeNewswire)
Analysis — what this means
Likely next events
- Idaho PUC to schedule public hearing on Avista’s filing by mid‑August 2026
- Final order on the rate case expected by September 30 2026
- New electric rates to take effect Oct 1 2026; new natural gas rates to take effect Nov 1 2026
Sectors affected
- Utilities – Electric
- Utilities – Natural Gas
Regulatory implications
- Idaho PUC must approve the rate changes under state utility law
Historical parallels
- Avista’s 2025 annual filing resulted in a 2% electric increase and a 1.5% gas decrease (Idaho PUC Order 2025‑08)
Sources
- Avista Makes Annual Price Adjustment Filings in Idaho — GlobeNewswire