Company 19th on annual top 100 list compiled by Oregon Business magazine

SPOKANE, Wash., March 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- For the second consecutive year, Avista Utilities, an operating division of Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA), has been named the 19th best large company to work for in Oregon according to an annual list compiled by Oregon Business magazine in its March issue.

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

Avista Utilities was the highest-ranking utility in the top 100 list this year, which marks the fourth time in seven years that the company has been recognized by the magazine.

Using employee and management surveys, the magazine ranks companies in five categories: attraction, retention and rewards; work environment; decision making and trust; performance management; and career development and learning.

Avista Utilities achieved its highest ranking in career development and learning, where the company was ranked number three overall in the large company category.

"It is exciting for us to again be ranked among Oregon's best companies," said Deborah Martin, Avista Utilities' Oregon operations director. "I believe our success is a result of each employee having a strong sense of business ownership, and that sense of ownership comes only when employees feel they can make a difference."

"Our approach has always been to include our employees in the decision- making process and to respect and support their ideas for better serving our customers, growing our business and operating more efficiently," Martin said. "We have worked to make sure that we are responsive to our employees' needs, that we reward them for their efforts, and that they are completely informed so they can be fully engaged in our business."

Avista has also been named one of Washington state's best companies. In 2002 Avista ranked third in the large companies category by Washington CEO magazine.

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 electric and natural gas service to customers in four western states. Avista's non-regulated affiliates include Avista Advantage and Avista Energy. Avista Corp.'s stock is traded under the ticker symbol "AVA" and its Internet address is www.avistacorp.com

Avista Corp. and the Avista Corp. logo are trademarks of Avista Corporation. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE  Avista Corp.
    -0-                             03/04/2004
    /CONTACT:  Debbie Simock of Avista Corp., +1-509-495-4174 or
debbie.simock@avistacorp.com/
    /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.avistacorp.com /
    (AVA)

CO:  Avista Corp.; Avista Utilities
ST:  Oregon, Washington
IN:  UTI
SU:  AWD

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7407 03/04/2004 16:00 EST http://www.prnewswire.com