Avista asking to decrease gas and electric rates | Business

Idaho Avista customers may see a decrease in the electric and natural gas bills starting in the fall.

According to a news release, Avista said they have filed an annual rate adjustment with the Idaho Public Utilities Commision. If the commission approves the request, Idaho customer could see an average $1 saving on their electric bill and a $4 average on their natural gas bill. That's an average 14 percent savings for 2012.

Avista said the main reason they are considering decreasing their rates is due to the fact the cost to generate and purchase gas and electricity has gone down.

"Each year, we propose to adjut rates our customers pay so that customers' bills reflect our actual costs of purchasing natural gas and generating and purchasing electric power," said Avista president Dennis Vermillion.

In fact, Avista said each year the cost of generating and purchasing natural gas and electricity fluctuates. The corporation also said 40 percent of a customer's bill is to cover that cost. That means that is the part of the bill that can fluctuate year to year.

If the commission approves Avista's request, Idaho customers could see a change in their bills by October 1.