20240626Comment_1.pdf

From: PUCWeb Notification
To: Monica Barrios-Sanchez
Subject: Notice:A comment was submitted to PUCWeb
Date: Wednesday,June 26,2024 7:00:08 AM
The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Suzanne Knorr
Submission Time:Jun 26 2024 6:55AM
Email:[e-mail]
Telephone:[phone]
Address:Highlander Road
Boise,ID 83709
Name of Utility Company:Idaho Power
Case ID:IPC-E-24-07
Comment: "Dear Public Utilities Commission,
I am writing in regards to the recent Idaho Power rate increase request.Idaho Power raised its rates considerably just
last year, 1.by bringing the service fee up to$10,which will go up another$5 automatically next year to$15,and 2.by
increasing the rate of each tier,a collective increase in residential electricity costs by 12%.The PUC approved these
increases in 2023.
https://puc.idaho.gov/Fileroom/PublicFiles/ELEC/IPC/IPCE2311/CaseFiles/20240123Final"/"20A�proved"/"20Tariffs.pdf
Idaho Power has now come back to the PUC to say they need another 7.25%rate increase. Will Idaho Power come
back in 2025 with another increase request?
This continual intentional increase in the end user cost of electricity is creating an undue hardship on people in their
service area. It's not like folks can shop elsewhere for electricity. Idaho Power does not support solar and initial set up
is prohibitively expensive. Idaho Power has a captive audience. Last summer our household electric bill was$100
more expensive per month than the prior year,even not running central air except at peak times,and I cringe at the
thought of what electricity will cost us this summer.
It appears Idaho Power is making it a practice of annually seeking a rate increase. Why? If it is to support
development,then those costs should be 100%covered by the developers seeking to continue the buildout in Idaho. If
their request is because of inflation or the goal of increased profit,Idaho Power needs to realize inflation affects
everyone in their service area already,and Idaho Power will be further contributing to the problem of an even higher
cost of living,directly affecting every resident and business within Idaho Power's service area.
Another per kWh increase will make everything more expensive,as the increased costs are passed down to increased
prices on goods and services by businesses and even higher housing costs on residents already tightening their belts.
Homelessness is already a problem here and Idaho salaries are not increasing at the same rate as the cost of living. Yet
Idaho Power seeks to compound that by increasing the utility rates,again.
Perhaps Idaho Power needs to think a little more out of the box and make internal budget adjustments,instead of asking
the residents,who can't just go shop at a different store for electricity,to tighten their belts even more to accommodate
Idaho Power's desire for higher electricity rates."
hUs://puc.intranet.idaho.gov/anus/intranet/Comment[Opens the PUC Intranet application]