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How do we control our costs?

Energy prices are increasing for customers across the nation, regardless of their energy provider. At Avista, we’re dealing with the challenge of rising costs by focusing on long-term sustainable savings in addition to short-term actions. Leveraging technology and implementing lasting operational efficiencies are key steps to managing our costs.

A few of the steps we’ve taken include:

  • Providing customers with more convenient self-serve options through our upgraded web site, while reducing our costs.
  • Reducing the time it takes to get to your home or business by installing personal computers in most service vehicles. The computers provide real-time job information and automate processes that were done manually.
  • Calling customers about planned outages that will impact them or about account information using our enhanced automated phone system. In 2010, our phone system did the work of about 38 full-time employees.
  • Providing more low-cost renewable energy for customers by upgrading our 50-year-old Noxon Rapids Hydroelectric Project. When the five-year project is completed in 2012, the facility will generate an additional 30 megawatts of power using the same amount of water. That’s enough energy to power an average of 22,500 homes for a year.

A System of Checks and Balances

Regulators, shareholders, customers and employees hold Avista accountable for its operating decisions. Balancing the needs of multiple groups in the communities we serve can be challenging. Yet this system of checks and balances often yields the best outcome for everyone.

(Checks and Balances Diagram)