COEUR d'ALENE - Avista has filed requests with the utility commissions in Washington and Idaho to suspend the company's natural gas energy efficiency programs.

The requests were prompted by continuing low wholesale natural gas prices and abundant supplies which have affected the cost effectiveness of Avista's natural gas energy efficiency rebate and incentive programs. If approved by the commissions, the programs will be suspended beginning Sept. 1.

Avista's energy efficiency rebate and incentive programs for electric customers are not affected by the requests.

"The wholesale price of natural gas has been declining in recent years. While this is very good news for customers who use natural gas in their homes and businesses, these lower costs have added challenges to offering a comprehensive natural gas energy efficiency program," said Jason Thackston, Avista's vice president of customer solutions. "The low prices mean that it now costs more to provide natural gas energy efficiency rebates and incentives than it costs for the natural gas that customers use. That impacts Avista's ability to offer rebates for natural gas efficiency improvements."

Customers taking advantage of the natural gas energy efficiency programs have saved more than 6 million therms in the past three years. That's enough natural gas to serve more than 7,400 homes for a year. Current natural gas rates for Avista's Washington customers are at levels similar to those in 2003 with Idaho rates below those in 2004.