News Briefs

STA seeks rider input on proposed route changes

Spokane Transit Authority is implementing “more and better” transit service as part of the its “Moving Forward” plan approved by voters in 2016.

The agency is seeking the public’s input on some preliminary concepts for proposed changes that would go into effect in September 2018 on the following routes: Route 2 Southside Medical Shuttle Expansion, Route 21 West Broadway, Route 90 Sprague, Route 23 Maple/Ash, Route 25 Division, West Plains Routes ( 61 Highway 2, 62 Medical Lake, 66 EWU/Cheney, 68 Cheney Local and 165 Cheney Express), Route 94 East Central/Millwood, Route 124 North Express and Route 173 VTC Express.

The survey can be accessed online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HKZ6X3S. STA invites those taking the survey to then share it with others to increase the opportunity to express input.

STA Moving Forward is a 10-year plan to maintain, improve, and expand transit services throughout the Spokane region to meet the needs of our growing community. It focuses on connecting people to services, connecting workers to jobs, and advancing regional economic development.

Voters approved Proposition 1 in 2016, funding more than 25 projects outlined in the plane. STA has already implemented some of these projects and more are planned in 2018.

Medical Lake blood drive at high school Nov. 15

The Inland Northwest Blood Center together with Medical Lake High School community volunteers led by Sue Anderson will hold a blood drive on Friday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. in the high school’s small gym.

INBC needs an average of 200 blood donors every day to meet the needs of more than 35 hospitals in the Inland Northwest. A single donation can save the lives of up to three people.

Commission staff recommend smaller increase for Avista

OLYMPIA – The state Utilities and Transportation Commission staff has recommended denying Avista Utilities’ requested electric and natural gas increase, proposing a smaller increase instead.

On May 26, Avista filed a general rate case with the UTC requesting a three-year rate plan. The company proposed an electric revenue increase of $61.4 million, or 12.5 percent, and a natural gas revenue increase of $8.3 million, or 9.3 percent, for the first year.

For the second year, the company requested an additional $14 million, or 2.5 percent, increase in electric revenues and a $4.2 million, or 4.4 percent, increase in natural gas revenues. For the third and final year of the plan, the company requested an electric revenue increase of $14.4 million, or 2.5 percent, and a $4.4 million, or 4.4 percent, increase in natural gas revenues.

In an Oct. 27 news release, UTC staff determined Avista should increase electric and natural gas revenues during the three-year period, but by smaller margins. Staff argued that the company’s proposed plant investments and costs of capital are excessive and its request to increase the power supply baseline is not supported by evidence.

Staff recommended a first-year electric revenue increase of approximately $10 million, or 2 percent; a second-year electric revenue increase of $11.5 million, or 2.3 percent; and a third-year electric revenue increase of $11.7 million, or 2.3 percent.

Staff also recommend a first-year natural gas revenue increase of $1.1 million, or 1.3 percent; a second-year natural gas revenue increase of $2.7 million, or 3 percent; and a third-year natural gas revenue increase of $2.8 million, or 3 percent.

The three-member commission, which is not bound by the staff recommendation, will make a final decision on the utility’s request this winter. New rates would go into effect in January 2018.