NOTE 15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the course of its business, the Company becomes involved in various claims, controversies, disputes and other contingent matters, including the items described in this Note. Some of these claims, controversies, disputes and other contingent matters involve litigation or other contested proceedings. For all such matters, the Company will vigorously protect and defend its interests and pursue its rights. However, no assurance can be given as to the outcome of any matter because litigation and other contested proceedings are subject to numerous uncertainties. For matters affecting Avista Utilities’ or AEL&P's operations, the Company intends to seek, to the extent appropriate, recovery of costs through the ratemaking process.

Collective Bargaining Agreements

The Company's collective bargaining agreement with the IBEW represents 35 percent of all Avista Utilities' employees. The Company's largest represented group, representing approximately 90 percent of Avista Utilities' bargaining unit employees in Washington, Idaho and Montana, are covered under a four-year agreement which expires in 2029.

In April 2025, the Company's System Operators voted to unionize, and the National Labor Relations Board certified the IBEW Local 77 as their exclusive collective bargaining representative. We are in the process of negotiating a separate contract with the IBEW for the System Operator group, which is comprised of approximately 20 employees.

Orofino Fire

In August 2023, a fire started in windy conditions near Orofino, Idaho, burning 53 acres and seven primary residences, as well as several outbuildings. The Idaho Department of Lands investigated and has issued a report in which it concluded the fire was caused by an electrical fault igniting three separate spots which then spread uphill. The Company has a distribution line in the area near the ignition point. The Company has to date found no evidence suggesting negligence on its part. Three minor claims for damage to personal property were received in connection with the fire, which were resolved. The Company has received one additional claim in connection with the fire for suppression costs from the Idaho Department of Lands seeking $0.2 million. The Company will vigorously defend itself in the event any additional claims are asserted; however, at this time, it is unable to estimate the likelihood of an adverse outcome or the amount or range of a potential loss in the event of an adverse outcome.

Rathdrum, Idaho Natural Gas Incident

In October 2021, there was an incident in Rathdrum, Idaho involving the Company’s natural gas infrastructure. The incident occurred after a third party damaged those facilities during excavation work. The incident resulted in a fire which destroyed one residence and resulted in minor injuries to the occupants. In January 2023, the Company was served with a lawsuit filed in the District Court of Kootenai County, Idaho by one property owner, seeking unspecified damages. In February 2024, the Company received a second lawsuit filed by the owners of the adjacent property, seeking damages for personal injury and emotional distress from having witnessed the incident. On motions for summary judgment, the Court dismissed the party that had originally contracted for the excavation work, as well as claims brought on behalf of the children of the property owners whose home was damaged. In July 2026, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with the remaining parties in the case for $1.3 million.

Complaint of Consumers for Independent Regional Transmission Planning for All FERC-Jurisdictional Transmission Facilities at 100kV and Above

In December 2024, the Company received notice of a complaint filed with the FERC by Consumers for Independent Regional Transmission Planning against all FERC-jurisdictional Transmission providers with local planning tariffs utilizing facilities at 100 kV and above, which includes the Company. The complaint alleges that the local transmission planning process allows individual transmission owners to plan FERC-jurisdictional transmission facilities without regard to whether that planning is the more efficient or cost-effective project for the interconnected grid and cost effective for customers. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself in this action; however, at this time, the Company is unable to predict the likelihood of an adverse outcome or estimate a range of potential loss in the event of such an outcome.

Other Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company has various other legal claims and contingent matters outstanding. The Company believes any liability arising from these actions will not have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. It is possible a change could occur in the Company’s estimates of the probability or amount of a liability being incurred. Such a change, should it occur, could be significant. See "Note 22 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" in the 2025 Form 10-K for additional discussion regarding other contingencies.