Avista

Corporate brand

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An investor-owned energy company serving electricity and natural-gas customers in the northwestern United States.

Last updated August 31, 2026

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Overview

Avista is an investor-owned energy company headquartered in Spokane, Washington. Its principal operating business, Avista Utilities, generates and transmits electricity and distributes electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The company’s regulated service territory covers roughly 30,000 square miles across eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, serving a population of approximately 1.5 million. The utility has also operated in Juneau, Alaska, through Alaska Electric Light & Power, acquired in 2014. The business began in 1889 as Washington Water Power Company. Its original purpose was to develop hydroelectric generation on the Spokane River, at a time when electricity supply in the Inland Northwest was still emerging and the reliability of hydroelectric power was questioned by some outside investors. The company built its identity around regional electric infrastructure and later expanded into transportation, recreation, natural gas, and other energy-related activities. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Washington Water Power acquired Spokane streetcar companies and became a major force in the city’s public transportation market. Streetcar ridership reached a high point around 1910 but declined over subsequent decades; the company’s last streetcar route closed in 1936. The company also operated Natatorium Park, a Spokane recreation destination developed after its acquisition of Twickenham Park in 1892. The park was sold in 1929. Washington Water Power broadened its energy footprint through the acquisition of CP National’s natural-gas operations from Alltel in 1989, extending its activities into Oregon and California. The California operations were later sold to Southwest Gas in 2005. In 1999, the company adopted the Avista Corporation name, with the change taking effect on January 1 and the new stock-market identity beginning in early January. The rebranding was intended to represent a broader energy-services organization rather than a business defined solely by its historic Washington Water Power name. Avista has pursued both regulated utility operations and adjacent energy-services activities. Its former non-utility subsidiary Ecova provided energy and sustainability-management services to business customers and managed expenses across a large multi-site customer base. Avista sold Ecova to Cofely, a subsidiary of GDF Suez, in 2014. In the same year, Avista acquired Alaska Electric Light & Power in an all-stock transaction reported at approximately $170 million, adding the Juneau utility to its portfolio. The company has also promoted electrification and electric-vehicle adoption. In 2016, it proposed a two-year eastern Washington pilot involving 265 charging stations distributed among homes, workplaces, and public locations. The proposal was designed to test infrastructure deployment and was estimated at approximately $3.1 million, subject to regulatory consideration. Avista remains primarily a regional electricity and natural-gas utility. Its business model depends on regulated rates, infrastructure investment, generation and transmission assets, customer reliability, and long-term adaptation to changing energy technologies. Its history includes both expansion beyond its original Spokane hydroelectric base and a later concentration on utility-scale energy delivery and related services.

History

Avista traces its origins to March 1889, when Washington Water Power Company was incorporated to develop hydroelectric power from the Spokane River. Earlier that year, F. Rockwood Moore, who was associated with Edison Electric Illuminating Company, had acquired property on both sides of the river with the intention of developing a power plant. Concerns about hydroelectric reliability among eastern investors and the cost of Edison-related royalties encouraged Moore and other local businesspeople to organize a separate company and raise capital locally. The company’s early development was closely tied to Spokane’s growth. From the 1890s through the 1930s, Washington Water Power acquired streetcar companies and by 1900 had become a dominant transportation operator in Spokane. Ridership peaked around 1910, then declined as the city’s transportation patterns changed. The final Washington Water Power streetcar line closed in 1936, ending the company’s direct role in public transportation. Washington Water Power also became involved in urban recreation. In 1892 it purchased Twickenham Park on the Spokane River and renamed it Natatorium Park. The company expanded the site, including the construction of a large swimming pool in 1895, and the location developed into a major general-purpose recreation venue. Washington Water Power sold the park in 1929. The company expanded its energy operations beyond its original Spokane base. In 1989 it acquired CP National’s natural-gas operations from Alltel, extending its presence into Oregon and California. The California business was subsequently sold to Southwest Gas in 2005. This period reflected the company’s effort to become a broader regional energy provider rather than a single-purpose hydroelectric enterprise. The corporate identity changed at the end of the twentieth century. The board approved the adoption of the Avista Corporation name, effective January 1, 1999, and the company began trading under the Avista name on January 4. Around the same period, the company acquired naming rights for Spokane’s minor-league baseball stadium, which became Avista Stadium. Avista later combined regulated utility operations with non-utility energy services. Its subsidiary Ecova provided energy and sustainability-management services to commercial customers and managed expenses across a substantial portfolio of sites. In 2014, Avista sold Ecova to Cofely, a GDF Suez subsidiary. Also in 2014, Avista acquired Alaska Electric Light & Power in an all-stock transaction reported at approximately $170 million, adding Juneau’s electric utility to the company’s operations. The company has supported electrification initiatives as part of its modern utility strategy. In 2016, Avista proposed a two-year electric-vehicle charging pilot in eastern Washington. The proposal covered 265 stations, including installations at homes, workplaces, and public sites, and was estimated to cost approximately $3.1 million. In 2017, Hydro One agreed to acquire Avista. The proposed transaction became a significant regulatory matter in the Pacific Northwest. In December 2018, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission rejected the takeover, citing concerns about political interference in Hydro One’s management and the Ontario government’s position as Hydro One’s largest shareholder. Avista consequently continued as an independent regional utility. Avista’s history also includes legal and financial reporting controversies. In 2002, the company was sued over alleged false or misleading statements concerning its business and financial condition, including disclosures related to energy-trading activities involving Enron and Portland General Electric. Avista agreed to a reported $9.5 million settlement in 2007. In a separate accounting matter, the company said in 2002 that it would adjust the amount originally allocated to in-process research and development and restate its third-quarter 1998 consolidated financial statements. Today, Avista is principally identified with Avista Utilities, its regulated electricity and natural-gas business serving customers in the northwestern United States.

2018
Hydro One takeover is rejected
[1]Avistaen.wikipedia.org
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission rejects Hydro One’s proposed acquisition of Avista.
2016
Electric-vehicle charging pilot is proposed
[1]Avistaen.wikipedia.org
Avista proposes deploying 265 charging stations across eastern Washington.
2014
Alaska Electric Light & Power is acquired
[1]Avistaen.wikipedia.org
Avista acquires the Juneau electric utility in an all-stock transaction.
2014
Ecova is sold
[1]Avistaen.wikipedia.org
Avista sells its energy and sustainability-management subsidiary Ecova to Cofely, a GDF Suez subsidiary.
2005
California operations are sold
[1]Avistaen.wikipedia.org
Avista sells its California operations to Southwest Gas.
1999
Avista name takes effect
[1]Avistaen.wikipedia.org
The corporate name changes from Washington Water Power Company to Avista Corporation, and trading begins under the Avista name.
1989
Natural-gas operations expand
[1]Avistaen.wikipedia.org
Washington Water Power acquires CP National’s natural-gas operations from Alltel.
1936
The final Spokane streetcar line closes
[1]Avistaen.wikipedia.org
The company ends its historic involvement in Spokane’s streetcar system.
1892
Twickenham Park is acquired
[1]Avistaen.wikipedia.org
Washington Water Power acquires the Spokane-area park and later develops it as Natatorium Park.
1889
Washington Water Power Company is incorporated
[1]Avistaen.wikipedia.org
The company is organized to develop hydroelectric power from the Spokane River.

Products and positioning

A regional integrated energy utility focused on regulated electricity and natural-gas service in the Pacific Northwest, with related generation, transmission, electrification, and energy-management activities.

Electric utility · 1889
Electricity service
Avista Utilities generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Its regulated electric service territory is concentrated in eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and parts of Oregon, with additional operations associated with Juneau through Alaska Electric Light & Power.
Gas utility · 1989
Natural-gas service
Avista distributes natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in its northwestern service territory. Natural gas became an important part of the company’s portfolio after the 1989 acquisition of CP National operations.
Electrification service · 2016
Electric-vehicle charging programs
Avista has supported electric-vehicle adoption through infrastructure planning and regulatory proposals. Its 2016 eastern Washington pilot called for 265 charging stations at homes, workplaces, and public locations.
Energy services
Ecova energy-management services
Ecova was Avista’s former non-utility subsidiary, providing energy and sustainability-management services and expense management for business customers with large numbers of sites. Avista sold the business in 2014.

Controversies

2019
Landowner sues Avista over utility work
Yong Lewis filed a complaint against Avista Corp., alleging trespass and claiming the utility's pole work caused erosion that would prevent the approved Tuscan Ridge condominium development from being built as planned. Avista declined to comment on the allegations and said it had previously worked with the landowner to address reasonable concerns about potential property damage.
Source
2002
Litigation over energy-trading disclosures
Avista faced a lawsuit alleging misleading statements about its business and financial condition and insufficient disclosure of risky energy-trading activities involving Enron and Portland General Electric. The matter ended in a reported $9.5 million settlement agreed in 2007.
Source
2002
Restatement of historical financial statements
Avista announced an adjustment to the amount initially allocated to in-process research and development and stated that it intended to restate its third-quarter 1998 consolidated financial statements.
Source

2016Eastern Washington electric-vehicle charging pilot
Eastern Washington
Avista proposed a two-year program to install 265 electric-vehicle charging stations, including 120 residential, 100 workplace, and 45 public charging locations.
Outcome. The proposal was presented as a pilot for supporting electric-vehicle adoption; the available reference does not establish a final program outcome.
Source

Brand decisions

2017
Agree to Hydro One acquisitionM&A
Background
Hydro One sought to acquire Avista as part of its expansion as an investor-owned utility.
Action taken
Hydro One and Avista agreed to a proposed acquisition.
Aftermath
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission rejected the transaction in December 2018, and Avista remained independent.
Source
2016
Propose electric-vehicle charging pilotProduct launch
Background
Avista sought to test how utility-supported charging infrastructure could encourage electric-vehicle adoption.
Action taken
The company proposed a two-year pilot involving 265 charging stations across residential, workplace, and public sites in eastern Washington.
Aftermath
The available reference describes the proposal but does not establish its final regulatory or operational result.
Estimated pilot cost. $3.1 million (2016 proposal)
Source
2014
Acquire Alaska Electric Light & PowerM&A
Background
Avista pursued regional utility expansion through the acquisition of an established electric utility in Juneau.
Action taken
Avista acquired Alaska Electric Light & Power in an all-stock transaction reported at approximately $170 million.
Aftermath
The acquisition added Juneau, Alaska, to Avista’s operating footprint.
Reported transaction value. $170 million (2014)
Source
2014
Divest EcovaM&A
Background
Avista separated a non-utility energy-management business from its core regulated utility operations.
Action taken
Avista sold Ecova to Cofely, a subsidiary of GDF Suez.
Aftermath
The transaction reduced Avista’s direct exposure to the non-utility energy and sustainability-services sector.
Source
1999
Adopt the Avista corporate identityStrategy
Background
The historic Washington Water Power name no longer represented the full scope of the company’s energy and related activities.
Action taken
The board approved changing the corporate name to Avista Corporation, effective January 1, 1999.
Aftermath
The company began trading under the Avista name and used the brand across its expanding energy operations.
Source
1989
Acquire CP National natural-gas operationsM&A
Background
Washington Water Power sought to expand beyond its historic electric and hydroelectric base.
Action taken
The company acquired CP National’s natural-gas operations from Alltel.
Aftermath
The transaction broadened the company’s gas presence in the western United States; its California operations were later sold in 2005.
Source

Recent events

2018
Washington regulator rejects Hydro One takeover[1]Avistaen.wikipedia.org
M&A · Regulation
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission rejected Hydro One’s proposed acquisition of Avista, citing concerns about political interference in Hydro One’s affairs and the role of the Ontario government as its largest shareholder.
2017
Avista agrees to acquisition by Hydro One[1]Avistaen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Ontario-based utility Hydro One agreed to acquire Avista. The proposed transaction later faced regulatory opposition in Washington State.
2016
Avista proposes eastern Washington electric-vehicle charging pilot[1]Avistaen.wikipedia.org
Campaign · Product launch
Avista proposed a two-year pilot to deploy 265 electric-vehicle charging stations in homes, workplaces, and public locations in eastern Washington.
2014
Avista completes Alaska Electric Light & Power acquisition[1]Avistaen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Avista acquired Alaska Electric Light & Power, the electric utility serving Juneau, Alaska, in an all-stock transaction reported at approximately $170 million.

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