Company increases focus on strategic energy management initiatives

SPOKANE, Wash., Sept. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Advantage IQ, a subsidiary of Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA), continues to increase its focus on energy conservation offerings with the expansion of a regional office in Atlanta, GA and the addition of Randy Michael to its consulting services team. This expansion allows Advantage IQ to strengthen its strategic energy management initiatives on behalf of clients.

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Advantage IQ offers a suite of strategic energy management services that include advanced analysis and reporting, budget and financial management, rate analysis and optimization, and supply side management. Over the past two years, the company has increased its focus and commitment to providing these and other consulting services to meet the needs of its growing client base.

With rising energy costs chief among client concerns, the Advantage IQ consulting services team has been able to expertly leverage data within their patented Facility IQ system, enhancing client energy performance and driving cost savings. As more and more clients seek expertise in developing and implementing their strategic energy plans, Advantage IQ continues to expand its presence in this area.

The regional Atlanta office provides a solid East Coast presence to support its national client base and will house up to eight consulting services professionals by the end of 2007. Mark Breuker, director of Energy Consulting, is responsible for leading and developing the company's energy management programs. Breuker joined Advantage IQ earlier this year.

"Lately it seems like the entire country is focused on ways to manage energy more effectively," said Breuker. "Advantage IQ has created a successful business model based on helping clients manage and reduce energy spending. This expansion will only serve to further our commitment to our clients."

Randy Michael joins Advantage IQ as a senior energy manager. Michael's 28 year career has been in the energy industry, including experience in utility rate design, energy procurement and strategic planning for commercial and industrial clients, development of energy projects, wholesale power marketing and operations management in the deregulated energy market. He has helped to save clients millions of dollars while managing their energy risk exposure. Randy has a Bachelor of Science degree in business from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA, with a concentration in finance, from Wilkes University.

"Michael's diverse experience enhances the capabilities of the Energy Consulting team and will greatly benefit our clients," said Breuker.

"Sophisticated energy buyers can leverage their energy data to secure attractive supply transactions while driving out unnecessary costs. Advantage IQ's suite of solutions provides a powerful tool set to accomplish these goals," said Michael.

About Advantage IQ

Advantage IQ, founded in 1995, is the leading provider of expense management and facility intelligence tools designed to cut costs out of utility, telecom and waste services. Through process and pay, audit, reporting and consulting services, our patented technology and services provide multi- site companies with critical, yet easy-to-access information, enabling them to proactively manage and reduce facility-related expenses. Advantage IQ's patented Facility IQ(TM) System provides online access to consolidated costs as well as powerful analytical consulting services and real-time, flexible reporting tools. For more information about Advantage IQ, visit the company's website at www.advantageIQ.com.

About Avista Corp.

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 a company operating division that provides service to 338,000 electric and 297,000 natural gas customers in three western states. Avista's non-regulated subsidiaries include Avista Advantage and Avista Energy. Avista Corp.'s stock is traded under the ticker symbol "AVA." For more information about Avista, please visit www.avistacorp.com.

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

SOURCE Avista Corp. 09/26/2006

CONTACT: Kelly Conley +1-509-329-7319, or kconley@avistaadvantage.com,
or Avista 24/7 Media Access, +1-509-495-4174
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8587 09/26/2006 17:44 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com