SPOKANE, Wash., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Avista's commercial customers in Oregon now have a new series of energy efficiency rebates that can help them reduce their energy use and potentially reduce their operating costs.

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New rebates ranging from $200 to $3,000 are available for installing ENERGY STAR commercial kitchen equipment and dishwashers or for installing high efficiency natural gas furnaces. New incentives are also available for commercial insulation measures and refrigeration night curtains. In addition, Avista offers rebates and incentives for site-specific energy efficiency improvements made to commercial operations such as businesses, schools, and public facilities.

"Reducing energy use and cutting expenses are important to our commercial customers, and Avista's energy efficiency rebates and incentives are the best way to accomplish both goals," said Kerry Shroy, Avista's Oregon manager for energy efficiency programs. "Our new rebate programs are simple and direct which makes it easy for commercial customers to take advantage of them."

Avista recently launched Efficiency Avenue at www.everylittlebit.com where commercial customers can learn about the company's energy efficiency rebate and incentive programs and download applicable forms. The site complements Avista's award-winning House of Rebates tool for residential customers.

Residential, commercial and industrial Avista customers in Oregon received more than 3,300 rebates and incentives totaling $850,000 in 2008. Through the programs, customers reduced their energy use by over 287,000 therms of natural gas - that's about the amount of natural gas used by almost 475 residential customers in one year.

For information on available energy efficiency programs for all Avista customers, visit www.everylittlebit.com.

Avista Corp. is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses. Avista Utilities is our operating division that provides electric service to 353,000 homes and businesses and natural gas to 313,000 homes and businesses in three Western states, serving more than 492,000 customers. Avista's primary, non-regulated subsidiary is Advantage IQ. Avista stock is traded under the ticker symbol "AVA." For more information about Avista, please visit www.avistacorp.com.

Avista Corp. and the Avista Corp. logo are trademarks of Avista Corporation.

SOURCE Avista Corp.