Innovative Technology Interface Simplifies Process and Encourages

Participation in EPA's National Effort to Reduce Energy Consumption

SPOKANE, Wash., Oct. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Avista Advantage, a subsidiary of Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2005 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year, leads the nation in helping clients access the EPA energy performance rating system through the use of its patented Facility IQ system and a simplified interface with the EPA's new automated benchmarking.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040128/SFW031LOGO )

ENERGY STAR, a voluntary program from EPA, is designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products and buildings in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The ENERGY STAR rating is a landmark tool for assessing and improving the energy performance of commercial buildings. Advantage offers qualifying clients the ability to automate their ENERGY STAR building rating process. To date, as reported by the EPA, Avista Advantage has handled more than 90 percent, or 86,000 ratings, of all building ratings processed through the EPA's automated benchmarking.

"Energy costs continue to increase dramatically, and federal and state officials are calling out for Americans to conserve," said Stu Stiles, Avista Advantage president and chief executive officer. "Avista Advantage has taken the lead in assisting our clients with their conservation efforts through this innovative partnership with the EPA. A strategic approach to energy management produces bottom line results and makes a positive impact on the environment."

Avista Advantage has a client base of more than 350 of the largest organizations in America, representing over 160,000 locations nationally, including many key clients in the EPA's targeted segments of grocery and lodging. Advantage continues to add to its customer base with an overall revenue growth rate of 38 percent over the past year, including significant additions in the food service, entertainment and retail service sectors.

EPA's automated benchmarking for ENERGY STAR is designed to make it easier for companies to rate the energy performance of their building portfolio. The partnership with Avista Advantage allows clients the ability to continuously manage energy across their organization, as well as develop an energy management strategy that helps measure a building's current energy performance, set goals, track savings, and reward improvements. The EPA provides an energy performance rating system, which businesses have already used for more than 21,000 buildings across the country. EPA also recognizes top performing buildings with the ENERGY STAR label.

"Increasingly, there is a connection between energy management and overall business performance," remarked Stiles, "Studies show most commercial and office buildings use 10 percent to 30 percent more energy than necessary. The ENERGY STAR label is a well-recognized brand that can be used to communicate cost management efforts to executive management, customers and stockholders."

    More information about ENERGY STAR is available at www.energystar.gov

About Avista Advantage

Avista Advantage, 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. Avista Advantage'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 Avista Advantage, visit the company's website at www.avistaadvantage.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 330,000 electric and 285,000 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.
    -0-                             10/17/2005
    /CONTACT:  Kelly Conley of Avista Advantage, +1-509-329-7319, or
kconley@avistaadvantage.com, or Avista 24/7 Media Access, +1-509-495-4174/
    /Photo:  NewsCom:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040128/SFW031LOGO
             AP Archive:  http://photoarchive.ap.org
             PRN Photo Desk photodesk@prnewswire.com/
    /Web site:  http://www.avistaadvantage.com /
    /Web site:  http://www.avistacorp.com /
    (AVA)

CO:  Avista Corp.; Avista Advantage; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ST:  Washington
IN:  UTI ENV
SU:  LIC PDT

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3960 10/17/2005 05:30 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com