Avista merger rapped at IPUC hearing

SANDPOINT — Avista’s proposed merger with Canada’s Hydro One encountered gales of opposition testimony during a hearing before the Idaho Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday night.

Eighteen people provided testimony on the proposed merger, but only one offered testimony that was in favor of Hydro One’s absorption of the Inland Northwest energy provider.

Opposition to the merger ranged from practical to philosophical.

One of the more common refrains among opponents of the merger was unease over a foreign entity assuming control of vital domestic infrastructure.

“I find it ludicrous that we’re allowing a foreign company to buy any part of America’s infrastructure,” said Priest River area resident Lewis Hodge.

Hodge and other also saw the merger as a way for Canada to imprint its views on climate change in a country led by an presidential administration that does not believe in the that human activities are effecting Earth’s climate.

“It’s the perfect place to bring in the Paris climate accord,” Coeur d’Alene resident Jeff Tyler said of the pact that the Trump administration withdrew from. “It’s just a huge political play.”

Opponents said they could not count on Washington or Oregon to oppose the merger and called upon Idaho to serve as the bulwark against it.

Another concern which surfaced periodically during the hearing was that the merger would result in a loss of local influence over issues involving Avista-owned hydroelectric projects, which could affect water quantities.

Post Falls resident Larry Spencer argued that northern Idaho’s interests are more closely aligned to those of Spokane’s than those of Ottawa’s. Spencer also cited a section of Idaho Code which he contends forbids the outside entities from acquiring electric utilities.

“The purpose of what they were saying applies here,” Spencer said, referring to Idaho public utilities regulations.

Merger supporters assert that the merger will not cause a rate increase for at least five years, although the uncertainty over higher rates after that was yet another point of concern for merger foes.

“My utilities have doubled in the last 13 years,” said Sagle Avista customer Mary Anderson. “A lot of people in North Idaho are struggling to pay their utility bills right now.”

State Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, also testified against the merger, which saw as a conduit for “radical leftists” to insert their agenda to replace fossil fuels and implement multi-million dollar conservation projects.

“That’s a concern because that money should go back to shareholders,” said Scott.

Bonner County resident Jane Fritz was the only hearing participant to testify in favor the merger. She appreciated Canada’s “enlightened” and supported the company’s plan to accelerate the phasing out of a coal plant in Colstrip, Mont.

“It needs to be shut down,” Fritz said of the plant.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.