 |
Aug 11 , 2010
At Avista, we have a long history of reaching out into the communities we serve to help in many ways. Usually we ask our employees to donate school supplies in barrels placed in many of our offices, so kids who need a little help can start the school year well-equipped to learn.
This year we chose to do things a little differently. There are great organizations sponsoring school supply drives in almost every town in our service area. We’re informing our employees about as many of these community drives as we can. So, it’s even easier for our employees to give back to their communities by placing new rulers and pencils and notebooks in bins right where they shop – in their own town.
We’ve seen how the faces of kids in lower-income schools absolutely light up when they get a new backpack filled with all the supplies they need to get a great start on their school year. While we may not see those faces directly this year, we know that even more kids will have a great start to their school year through the generosity of our employees. I hope you’ll take a few minutes on your next shopping trip to pick up a few extra supplies and help fill the bin, the box or the bus for the children in your hometown.
Aug 06 , 2010
|
|
|
Energy efficiency expert and Avista employee Tom, answers a question for Energy on the Street. |
Just a quick update on where we’re at for Energy on the Street. Today we recorded four Avista employees answering your questions about energy. The topics spanned from dam safety to energy efficiency and rates. We’ve got a full day of answer-filming next week, and then likely another day the following week.
|
|
|
Bridget works in customer service for Avista and discusses
the many tools available to customers on our website. | There is still time to submit a question to us to get answered by an Avista expert on camera. Just send me an e-mail here at the Blog and I’ll find you an expert and an answer, easy as that.
Yesterday I was asked a good question online about how this project is working. The question came from a discussion forum post on the Spokesman-Review’s website. The writer implied that we might only post questions and answers that are favorable to Avista. Essentially, that we’d edit out anything that wasn’t to our liking. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Some of the discussions we had with customers on camera didn’t result in an actual question for us to answer. We aren’t using those because there’s nothing to answer. We also aren’t running questions that are duplicates. Other than that, it’s exactly what our customers said. I am very pleased with the questions we received and the specific things our customers wanted to know about.
I’m excited to share the videos on the Conversation section of our website by the end of the month.
Aug 06 , 2010
Avista and Home Depot remind home owners and contractors to call 811 at least 2 days before digging
Avista is partnering with Home Depot to celebrate National 811 day (Tuesday, Aug. 11). All are welcome to join Avista and learn more about 811 at the Spokane Valley Home Depot (5617 East Sprague Avenue) from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Aug. 11, National 811 Day.
Avista employees will be staffing booths where customers can learn more about 811 and why it’s important to call before you dig. While learning more about 811, customers can pick up free giveaways, enter to win a drawing and more! Each visitor will receive an “811 passport” which can get stamped at each booth. Customers who visit two booths will receive a free 811 T-shirt. Customers who visit all three booths will be entered to win a grand prize drawing.
On Aug. 11 and throughout the year, Avista wants to make sure homeowners and contractors alike to call 811 at least 2 business days before digging to eliminate risk of striking an underground utility line.
Aug 06 , 2010
|
|
|
If your appliances look
like these, it might be
time to take advantage
of state and Avista
rebates to become
more efficient. | Cash for Appliances, plus Avista rebates helps you double-dip on savings
If your home is like mine, the summer chore list can get pretty long. But there was one chore on our list that I couldn’t wait to check off – buying a new dishwasher. Our new dishwasher is great - it saves a lot more energy and water than the old one, plus we don’t have to shout to talk while it’s running. We even received an Avista rebate for purchasing the new high efficiency Energy Star appliance.
The only thing that could have made it better was if we had received an additional rebate. It’s too late for us, but it isn’t too late for you.
Washington State this week announced an expansion of its Cash for Appliances rebate program. The federally-funded statewide program now provides rebates for purchasing Energy Star freezers, dishwashers, electric heat pump water heaters, gas storage and gas tankless water heaters, and ductless heat pumps. That’s in addition to the existing rebates under the program for clothes washers and refrigerators.
Naturally, you can pair the Cash for Appliances rebates with available ones offered by Avista, which range from $20 to $200, for even more cash savings. Information and forms on Avista’s rebates are at www.everylittlebit.com. While you’re on the site, check out our Appliance Recycling Program for Washington and Idaho customers. We’ll will pick up your old refrigerator, recycle it and pay you $30 for it – what a deal! Idaho residents can still qualify for the Idaho Appliance Rebate Program when replacing older, working appliances with an eligible Energy Star appliance, so find out more at www.energy.idaho.gov/stimulus/appliance_rebate.htm. Idaho customers can also take advantage of the same Avista rebates and programs as our Washington customers. Aug 04 , 2010
Watch video
Yesterday morning I was working at my desk when I heard a broadcast-quality voice coming from somewhere behind me. Something about a planned power outage. I heard it again. And again.
Then I went to investigate.
The voice was my co-worker, Communications Manager Hugh Imhof, recording phone messages that will be sent to customers who will experience a planned power outage in the near future. Since it’s construction season we’re upgrading and replacing portions of our system, which sometimes requires a short power outage. We want to make sure you know about them beforehand, whenever possible.
One of the best ways to let customers know is to call them, although door hangers and other means may also be applied depending on the location and circumstances.
I hear from a lot of people online who ask where Avista is tightening its belt and being more efficient – this is a great example of where it is happening every day. Hugh was recording three planned power outage messages for this week.
Our automated phone system (we call it EVP) is being used to gain efficiencies wherever possible. For example, earlier this year around 1,400 of our customers in Idaho had to be contacted by Avista. Previously two or three customer service representatives would handle the live calls – a process that could take up to a week. This year with EVP, it took two hours – a tremendous savings in time and money.
This system is also being used for updates on real-time power outages, inquires to customers about bills, and to handle many transactions when you call us at 1-800-227-9187. We want to make sure we always deliver great customer service to you, so my co-workers worked hard to make this system a reality and it’s certainly paying off.
Hugh isn’t the only voice you’ll hear if you get a phone call from us, you may also hear Communications Manager Laurine Jue and others. I invite you to watch a quick Q and A video that Hugh and I recorded about the messages he was recording yesterday.
Aug 02 , 2010
|
|
We took this picture of the Avista Stadium sign two weeks ago,
between customer interviews for Energy on the Street. If you want to
attend an Indians game this week – try to go tomorrow so your ticket
sales will benefit Project Share. |
Looking to attend a Spokane Indians game this week? How about tomorrow? Avista and the Indians have teamed up to donate money to Project Share for tickets sold for the game on Tuesday, August 3.
The Indians will donate 50 cents of every walk-up ticket sold for the game to the Avista Project Share program in order to raise funds and bring awareness of need in our area.
Project Share is a customer, community, and company-funded program that provides one-time emergency assistance to families in our region.
With the Project Share program, 100 percent of every dollar donated is forwarded to community action agencies for distribution to those who qualify. Energy assistance is provided without regard to the source of heat or providing utility company.
For fans who can't make it to the Indians game on the 3rd, but still want to donate to Project Share, there are three other ways to contribute. You can donate online at www.avistautilities.com, you can add a donation to your next monthly payment or send a check to Project Share, P.O. Box 3727, Spokane, WA 99202. Tuesday’s game against the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes starts at 6:30 p.m., gates open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available by calling the Avista Stadium Ticket Office at 509-343-OTTO (6886) or visiting www.spokaneindiansbaseball.com. You can also purchase tickets at any TicketsWest outlet, by calling 1-800-325-SEAT, or visit www.ticketswest.com. Jul 26 , 2010
Last March a posting on this blog told you about the request we made of the utility commissions in Washington and Idaho requesting rate changes to recover the costs of buying and generating power and upgrading the pipes, poles and wires that bring you energy when you want it. Today a settlement agreement was filed with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC) that would result in an overall electric rate increase of 9.3 percent and a 2.6 percent increase in natural gas rates for our Idaho customers. The settlement must still be approved by the IPUC. The request in Washington is still pending.
Partially offsetting the increase for the next three years will be a bill credit customers will receive to return the balance of Avista’s deferred Idaho state income taxes from prior years.
Today Avista also filed its annual Power Cost Adjustment, also known as PCA, which requests an overall 2.6 percent increase in electric rates. The PCA is the difference between Avista’s actual costs of generating and purchasing power over the past 12 months and the cost currently included in customer rates.
It’s a lot of detailed rates information with ups and down. But, the bottom line - if you are a residential customer in Idaho using an average 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month, you could expect to see a $5.37 month increase beginning on October 1, for a revised bill of $86.27. If you’re a natural gas customer, your bill would increase about $1.71 per month for a revised bill of $59.40, also beginning October 1.
Avista also agreed to increase annual low-income weatherization programs and to increase funds for low-income energy efficiency and education. Idaho Community Action Programs administer these programs.
We see everyday how the rising cost of energy impacts families in the communities we serve. It’s one of the reasons we offer many programs to help customers with energy assistance. Nobody likes an increase in their costs of everyday living like gasoline, food and energy. But the fact remains, that we need to make these requests to continue to provide you with the safe, reliable energy you depend on.
You may have questions about this rate change in Idaho and we’d like to help answer them or provide more information. You can post a comment below in the block or send us an email to conversations@avistautilities.com.
Jul 22 , 2010
Reading by candle light á la Ben Franklin? More like Kindle light á la the smart grid
|
|
|
The Amazon Kindle is just one of the many e-book
readers out there gaining popularity and allowing for
more interactivity while reading. | Post by Dan Kolbet
Last weekend I took my family to a local lake for a day at the beach. We fit in just like everyone else. Young kids, umbrella, packed lunches and the ever-present smell of sunscreen.
While our daughters played in the sand in front of us, my wife and I both pulled out books to pass the time. But here’s where we differ. My wife’s novel was of the “old fashioned” variety, or if you prefer, a printed book. I flipped on my Amazon Kindle DX, which allowed me to access more than just my current spy novel, but my entire library from the past year.
I made sure to charge up the device at home the night before – to make sure I wouldn’t get stuck with a dead battery halfway through the next action sequence. I wasn’t too worried. One charge of a few hours usually lasts me about two weeks. I made it through a few short chapters in between trips to the waves and games of catch with the kids.
This relatively inconsequential experience got me thinking more about how much I depend on electricity. Sure, if the lights go out during a storm, you can’t escape it. But to pass the time you might grab a book (á la Ben Franklin with a candle). Better make sure your e-book has some juice.
This week, Amazon noted that it currently sells more Kindle e-books than hardcover books. The Kindle, Apple’s iPad, Barnes and Noble’s Nook, among others are continuing to grow in popularity and I would argue that they are more making reading more personal and enjoyable than ever before. No need to drive to your local store, browse pretty pictures on the covers of your books then commit to one, drive home and start reading only to find out this book isn’t for you. You can shop, sample and buy (or decide not to buy) from anywhere. You can set the font of your book to suit your tastes or visual needs. And you can carry your entire library with you all the time.
But you need one thing – electricity.
It’s true that you can plug in just about anywhere you go to get your e-book powered up, and thanks to the long battery life of these devices, you should be A-OK during storm season. But as these devices, or other electronics that we probably can’t imagine yet, become mainstream, our dependence on electricity will have saturated every aspect of our lives – even more than it is today. Just think of what your living room looked like 15 years ago. Did you have a DVR, laptop, DVD player, X-Box 360, smart phone, e-book or wireless modem, plugged in? I dare you to say yes. We just didn’t have access to this sort of technology for entertainment and communications back then.
And “back then” wasn’t that long ago. So what will your living room (or trip to the beach) look like 5, 10 or 15 years from today? I certainly don’t have an answer, but I know it will continue to rely on energy, and I’m glad Avista will be around to provide it.
We talk a lot about the smart grid and the future of energy. The definition of smart grid is really dependant on who is defining it, but I’d offer this – it’s about you having more control of your energy usage and your utility having better ways to deliver it. It will eventually provide choices for you to consider based on cost, source or whatever is important to you.
As common items like books, that have traditionally been non-electric, gain interactivity (and an electric charge), our use of energy will eventually seep into every aspect of our lives. From a ‘pursuit of happiness’ standpoint, that’s great, but there’s one thing that I urge you to remember: all these digital comforts have to be powered, so be smart about your usage. At the same time we’ll continue to plan for the future to make sure we can meet your needs.
Jul 19 , 2010
|
|
|
The Spokane River through downtown Spokane. |
One year into our new FERC license on the river, big projects happening
Watch for activity on the downtown Spokane stretch of the Spokane River beginning this week, as Avista starts work on several projects to protect and enhance fish, wildlife, water quality, recreation, cultural and aesthetic resources related to our Spokane River hydroelectric project.
|
|
|
Click to view a map of the activities happening on
the Spokane River. | Over the next few months, visitors to the stretch of the river between Upper Falls and Monroe Street Dams will see equipment and temporary work structures in and around the river, including a crane near the river above Monroe Street Dam, intermittent aesthetic flows at Upper Falls Dam, sandbags, water bladders and moving equipment in the Upper Falls area. All of the equipment will be handled and operated with an emphasis on public safety and protecting the surrounding environment.
Work taking place includes a pilot study in the north channel of the river to learn what modifications can be made in order to return the river to a more natural state, and removal of accumulated rock, gravel and sediment at Monroe Street Dam. The work will begin in July and August as flows drop to their summer levels, and could be extended into early autumn.
While fishery work may not be as visible as other activities, it’s just as important. While we’re studying the river channel, biologists and contractors will be working in the stretch of the river between Upper Falls Reservoir and Monroe Street Dam, primarily on a study to assess whether fish can become trapped or stranded in the north channel of the river when water levels are low.
In late June, 3,000 catchable, sterile rainbow trout were planted in Upper Falls Reservoir. Another 3,000 fish will be planted in Upper Falls Reservoir this fall. The first year of a three-year fish population assessment will also be conducted in the Upper Falls Reservoir this fall.
Watch for updates as we progress, and see the attached map and handout for specific details, locations and approximate dates/timelines.
A year into the 50-year Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license to operate our five hydroelectric dams on the Spokane River (Post Falls, Upper Falls, Monroe Street, Nine Mile Falls and Long Lake), the work Avista will do is just getting started. These significant environmental measures will benefit both the communities and the natural resources where our facilities are located. Protecting resources and responsibly operating our dams helps us continue to generate low-cost, renewable hydroelectric energy. Jul 16 , 2010
The installation of new operable spillgates at Nine Mile Dam began this week as Avista finished drawing down Nine Mile Reservoir Thursday to allow a work barge and crew to begin. The upgraded system will allow Avista to pre-program desired heights and give operators the ability to raise and lower the height of the spillway at any time, incrementally if needed, in order to maintain the reservoir pool at a more constant level throughout the entire year.
The reservoir level must be lowered during construction to allow the contractor to erect the new spillgates. During construction, the pool level will be 2 to 4 feet below the spillway crest (about 12-14 feet below full pool), which may be lower than what it has been in the past when the flashboards were erected each year in mid-summer.
As a side note, to announce this news, this week we used a new e-mail tool for communicating directly with customers, river users, property owners and stakeholders interested in operational and environmental activities related to our Spokane River Project. This is one more way we’ll try to get information about river and reservoir levels, stewardship work and other river operations to folks quickly and directly. If you’re interested in being part of Avista’s mailing list for Spokane River News, send an e-mail to spokanerivernews@avistacorp.com.
|
|