Avista Utilities seeks Idaho Public Utilities Commission approval to decrease its annual Purchased Gas Cost Adjustment (PGA) by about 4.5 percent. The adjustment would take effect Nov. 1. An average resident using about 65 therms on natural gas per month would experience an average $3.65 monthly decrease, according to the company's application. The company’s reduced price projections reflect more stability in wholesale gas prices, increased storage capacity and no supply interruptions caused by hurricanes, the commission said in a release.

Avista's customers have until Oct. 24 to comment . The company serves about 70,000 households in its northern Idaho territory.

Variable costs such as wholesale market prices for gas, transportation and storage are adjusted yearly through the purchased-gas adjustment mechanism.

Avista’s fixed costs of supplying gas and some variable costs of gas supply are covered in base rates, adjusted only when the company comes before the commission with a rate case.

The commission will take written public comments through Oct. 24. Comments are accepted via e-mail by accessing the commission's homepage at www.puc.idaho.gov, by mail at P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 or by fax at (208) 334-3762.

Source: Idaho Business Review