Avista sets goal of being carbon neutral by 2045

Energy company Avista has set a goal of being carbon neutral by 2045, with a 30 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

“We are proud to continue our commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability,” Dennis Vermillion, president and CEO of Avista, said. “We set an ambitious renewable electric energy goal in 2019—to serve our customers with 100% clean electricity by 2045 and to have a carbon-neutral supply of electricity by 2027. Today’s announcement demonstrates that our vision of a clean energy future encompasses both electric and natural gas resources. We are dedicated to reducing and ultimately eliminating greenhouse gases from the energy we deliver to our customers.”

Avista and its subsidiaries provide electric service to 400,000 customers and natural gas to 367,000 customers in parts of Washington, Idaho, and Oregon.

“Natural gas is one of the cleanest burning fuels and plays a key role in reducing carbon emissions, particularly when used directly by customers in their homes rather than used to generate electricity to meet the same need. Compared to wood, heating oil, and other fuels, natural gas improves air quality. At the same time, we recognize there is opportunity to improve and bring those emissions down even further,” Vermillion added.

The company’s strategy to lower emissions includes investing in new technologies, like renewable natural gas (RNG), hydrogen, and other renewable biofuels. Currently, Avista’s generation portfolio is more than half renewable. Its Rattlesnake Flat Wind and Palouse Wind projects have 115 wind turbines and generate enough electricity to power nearly 75,000 homes.

“Avista has always been committed to balancing reliability and affordability while maintaining responsibility for our environmental footprint, and our actions demonstrate these values,” Vermillion said. “We have seen reduction in relative emissions due to energy efficiency measures and other proactive efforts. Avista is committed to decarbonizing our electric system and reducing emissions in our gas operations, recognizing that those objectives must be achieved responsibly on behalf of our customers and the communities we serve.”