Avista US Stock Price, News & Analysis

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $85,664,781 in grant funding to Avista and Idaho Power through its Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program. The funds will be used to reconstruct the Lolo-Oxbow 230-kV transmission line, running from the Oxbow Dam on the Oregon-Idaho border to Lewiston, Idaho.

The project aims to:

• Enhance grid flexibility
• Improve resilience against wildfires
• Increase interregional capacity by approximately 635 MW
• Enable workforce development and job creation

Avista and Idaho Power will contribute an additional $86 million to complete the project over the next five years. The upgrade is expected to benefit hundreds of thousands of people, including the Nez Perce Tribe, by improving power system resilience and increasing renewable energy integration capacity.

Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA) has announced its upcoming third quarter 2024 earnings conference call and webcast, scheduled for Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The company will release its earnings information at 7:05 a.m. EDT on the same day. Investors can access the call via Avista's website at investor.avistacorp.com, with pre-registration required.

Avista Corp. is an energy company providing electric and natural gas services. Avista Utilities serves 418,000 electric and 382,000 natural gas customers across eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and parts of Oregon. Its subsidiary, Alaska Energy and Resources Company, serves 18,000 electric customers in Juneau, Alaska. The company's stock is traded under the ticker symbol 'AVA'.

Avista has dispatched crews to assist Florida Power & Light with restoration efforts following Hurricane Helene and in preparation for Hurricane Milton. Three five-member line crews and additional personnel from Avista are en route to Lake City, Florida, to help repair electrical distribution infrastructure. The 12-vehicle, 19-person convoy left Avista's Coeur d'Alene office and is expected to arrive in Florida within 4-5 days, covering a distance of over 2,600 miles.

Avista is part of the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Western Region Mutual Assistance Group (WRMAG), one of seven such groups in the United States. The company is joining other regional utilities in this volunteer mutual aid effort. Heather Rosentrater, President and Chief Operating Officer of Avista, expressed solidarity with those affected by the hurricanes and highlighted the importance of utility cooperation during disasters.

Avista (AVA) has issued a request for proposal (RFP) to secure long-term renewable natural gas (RNG) resources for its customers. This initiative aims to meet carbon reduction requirements and support Avista's goal of achieving carbon neutrality in natural gas operations by 2045. The RFP is open to current owners, developers, and marketers of RNG resources.

RNG is derived from organic waste streams like landfills, wastewater treatment plants, food waste, and dairy waste. It's produced by capturing and purifying methane that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere. Avista anticipates RNG deliveries to begin no earlier than January 1, 2025. The company is considering proposals from various RNG sources, including landfills, biomass fast pyrolysis, dairy, food waste, and municipal wastewater treatment plants.

Avista (NYSE: AVA) has filed annual rate adjustment requests with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. If approved, these adjustments would result in an overall 13.9% decrease in natural gas rates and a 3.5% increase in electric rates for Washington customers, effective November 2024.

Key points:

• Natural gas adjustments include a significant 24.6% decrease in Purchased Gas Cost and an 8.3% increase for Climate Commitment Act compliance.
• Electric adjustments include increases for Low Income Rate Assistance Program (2.3%) and Insurance Expense Balancing (0.7%).
• Residential natural gas customers using 66 therms/month would see bills decrease by $13.66 to $87.20.
• Residential electric customers using 945 kWh/month would see bills increase by $3.82 to $109.58.

Avista Corp (NYSE: AVA) announced a significant leadership change. CEO Dennis Vermillion will retire in Q1 2025, with Heather Rosentrater appointed as the new CEO effective January 1, 2025. Rosentrater, currently President and COO, will become the first female CEO in Avista's 135-year history. She will retain her role as president and join the board of directors.

Rosentrater has been with Avista since 1996, progressing through various roles in electric and natural gas operations. Vermillion, a 40-year Avista veteran, led the company through challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, regulatory changes, and the transition to clean energy. The succession plan aims to ensure a smooth transition and continued success for Avista.

Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA) has announced a quarterly dividend of $0.475 per share on its common stock. The dividend will be payable on September 13, 2024, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 22, 2024. This decision was made by Avista's board of directors, who regularly evaluate dividend levels based on various factors including financial results, business strategies, and economic conditions. The company emphasizes that dividend declarations are at the sole discretion of the board and are subject to ongoing assessment.

Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA) reported strong financial results for Q2 2024, with consolidated earnings of $0.29 per diluted share, up from $0.23 in Q2 2023. Year-to-date earnings reached $1.20 per diluted share, compared to $0.96 in the same period last year. The company's core utility operations showed strength, with Avista Utilities' net income increasing to $91.4 million year-to-date, up from $70.4 million in 2023. Avista confirmed its 2024 consolidated earnings guidance of $2.36 to $2.56 per diluted share. The company highlighted its continued investment in system reliability, which proved beneficial during recent heat waves. Avista also announced serving a new large electric customer effective Aug. 1, expected to offset higher power supply costs in 2024.

Avista (NYSE: AVA) has filed annual rate adjustments with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, proposing decreased electric and natural gas prices for customers. If approved, electric revenues would decrease by 5.4% ($16.6 million) effective Oct. 1, 2024, and natural gas revenues would decrease by 25.8% ($29.8 million) effective Nov. 1, 2024.

For residential customers, this translates to an average monthly bill decrease of $2.72 (2.6%) for electricity and $18.66 (23.9%) for natural gas. The adjustments include changes in Power Cost Adjustment (PCA), Fixed Cost Adjustment (FCA), and Purchased Gas Cost Adjustment (PGA). These filings have no impact on Avista's earnings and are subject to public review and Commission approval.