Avista's Transmission Cost Adjustment on Schedule 25 jumped from $0.00234/kWh to $0.00419/kWh this month with no explanation. That's a 79% increase hitting all customers. The tariff just says "recovers prudently incurred transmission costs" but gives no detail on what drove such a massive spike. My Spokane Valley clients are seeing $400-600/month increases just from this rider. Anyone know what's behind this?
Avista transmission cost adjustment way too high
Dale, I noticed the same jump on my Spokane accounts. Avista filed emergency transmission cost recovery with the Washington UTC last month citing "extraordinary BPA transmission rate increases and system reliability investments." They're claiming the BPA rate hike alone adds $12.4 million annually to their transmission costs. Still seems excessive for a one-year adjustment - usually these things phase in gradually.
We're seeing similar transmission cost spikes across the Northwest. Nebraska Public Power has had to implement emergency transmission riders twice this year due to regional grid upgrades and federal reliability mandates. The infrastructure costs for grid hardening and climate resilience are hitting all utilities hard. Dale, check if Avista's increase includes any deferred costs from previous years - they might be catching up on under-recoveries.