Washington regulators approve Avista's clean energy plan

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission has approved Avista Utilities Inc.'s clean energy plan, which will see the utility serve 40% of its customer demand in the state with renewable energy starting in 2022, gradually increasing the target to 62.5% by the end of 2025.

Avista Utilities, the Spokane, Wash.-based operating arm of Avista Corp., originally filed in October 2021 a clean energy plan that aims to cover 80% of its retail electric sales in Washington with renewable energy or other non-carbon-emitting resources in 2022, and 100% in 2030.

The targets are aimed at complying with Washington's Clean Energy Transformation Act of 2019, which requires electric supply to be greenhouse gas-neutral by 2030, and 100% from carbon-free or renewable resources by 2045, according to a June 17 news release.

The approved plan also sets energy efficiency targets to reduce customer load by approximately 2% over the next four years, as well as customer benefit indicators to ensure the equitable distribution of energy. Avista Utilities' Named Communities Investment Fund also received approval and will provide $5 million per year for projects and initiatives that will benefit customers in historically disadvantaged and vulnerable communities.

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