Hydro One & Avista Merging: Electricity Rates & TOU Billing (Spokane: purchase, utilities)

[halmhana]

Between 2002 and 2017, the average Spokane County household income went up 31%. During the same period, their Avista power bills increased by an average of 63%. This is according to a recent study by the Datanators – UCR’s research partners.

Meanwhile, Hydro One engaged in similar behavior in Canada. Last summer, they wanted to increase their annual rates by $141 (Canadian) per household, the Toronto Star newspaper reports. This amounts to $110 USD or a 5% increase in utility bills. Hydro One needed the money to purchase Avista.

Full article: https://ucrep.com/hydro-one-avista-merging-tou-rates/

What does everyone think of this merger? The fact that Montreal's government owns 49.9% of Hydro One is a huge conflict of interest. It also means that Avista will set rates (TOU) in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon that are regulated and set up by the Canadian government.

[PS90]

Originally Posted by halmhana

Full article: https://ucrep.com/hydro-one-avista-merging-tou-rates/

What does everyone think of this merger? The fact that Montreal's government owns 49.9% of Hydro One is a huge conflict of interest. It also means that Avista will set rates (TOU) in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon that are regulated and set up by the Canadian government.

Do you have support for this statement? WA state gov't regulates electric rates - just because a Canadian company owns Avista doesn't mean that Canada will suddenly determine what we pay for electricity.

[dozerbear]

Avista is regulated by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, who also have to approve rate hikes.
So probably nothing to get too excited about, as far as the merger goes.

https://www.utc.wa.gov/regulatedIndu...s/default.aspx

[Acajack]

Not sure about the deal between Hydro-One and Avista, but Hydro-One doesn't have anything to do with Montreal. The electricity provider in Montreal is Hydro-Québec.

[elousv]

The government is the single largest stakeholder in Hydro One. " the Province owns 282,412,648 common shares of Hydro One Limited, representing approximately 47.4% of the common shares of Hydro One Limited."