Advantage IQ Receives 2009 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Advantage IQ, Inc., a subsidiary of Avista Corp. (NYSE:AVA), with a 2009 ENERGY STAR^® Sustained Excellence Award. The award recognizes Advantage IQ’s continued commitment to partnering with multi-site companies nationwide to manage energy cost and consumption. This is the third consecutive year that Advantage IQ has received the Sustained Excellence Award.

"It’s an honor to be recognized by the EPA for our efforts,” says Stu Stiles, President and CEO of Advantage IQ. "We are proud to assist our clients in their energy efficiency efforts, and recognize the impact of automating the ENERGY STAR building rating process for our clients. Companies can do more, when armed with the right data.”

The 2009 Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding leadership year after year. These winners have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by setting and achieving aggressive goals, employing innovative approaches, and showing others what can be achieved through energy efficiency. These awards recognize ongoing leadership across the ENERGY STAR program including energy-efficient products; services; and new homes and buildings in the commercial, industrial, and public sectors. Award winners are selected from more than 12,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

Advantage IQ provides sustainable utility expense management solutions, partnering with over 500 multi-site companies nationwide to assess energy cost and consumption. Clients are able to track, measure, and manage their energy performance through the company’s patented reporting system.

In 2008, Advantage IQ played a significant role in the energy efficiency efforts of American businesses. The company processed energy performance ratings for 31,566 buildings, provided energy management solutions to seven clients who were recognized as ENERGY STAR Leaders, and supported several others that were named ENERGY STAR Partners of the Year.

"EPA is delighted to recognize Advantage IQ with the 2009 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence award,” said Kathleen Hogan, Director of the Climate Protection Partnerships Division at the U.S. EPA. "Advantage IQ’s leadership on energy efficiency has yielded impressive results for their bottom line and our global environment, showing us all what can be accomplished through sustained commitment and action.”

About Advantage IQ, Inc.

Advantage IQ is a leading provider of comprehensive cost management services for utility, telecom, waste and lease expenses, including strategic energy management services. Their patented technology and services provide multi-site companies with critical, yet easy-to-access information that enables companies to proactively manage and reduce expenses. Advantage IQ’s patented system provides online access to consolidated cost and consumption data, partnered with powerful analytical reporting tools. For more information about Advantage IQ, visit www.advantageiq.com or call toll-free 1-800-791-7564.

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 355,000 electric and 314,000 natural gas customers in three western states. Avista’s primary, non-regulated subsidiary is Advantage IQ. Avista Corp.’s 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. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 12,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).