Idaho hearings scheduled this week on Avista’s proposed sale to Canadian utility

Avista’s Idaho customers will get a chance to weigh in this week on the utility’s proposed sale to Hydro One Ltd., of Toronto.

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has scheduled three public hearings on the proposed $5.3 billion acquisition.

The public hearings are scheduled at 6 p.m. on these days:

Tuesday in Moscow at the 1912 Center, 412 E. Third St.

Wednesday at Sandpoint High School, 410 S. Division Ave.

Thursday in Coeur d’Alene at the Midtown Meeting Center, 1505 N. Fifth St.

Avista and Hydro One have filed a proposed settlement with the commission, outlining how Avista would operate after the sale, which is expected to close later this year.

Avista would become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Canadian utility, keeping its headquarters and workforce in Spokane.

The settlement agreement calls for $15.8 million in rate credits for Idaho customers over the next five years, worth about $1.38 per month to a typical electric and natural gas customer.

The commission has received more than 100 comments about the sale, mostly opposing it.

Customers can also submit comments directly to the commission. They can be mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID, 83720-0074; faxed to (208) 334-3762; or submitted online at www.puc.idaho.gov/. List case number AVU-E-17-09 or AVU-G-17-05, or both.