20090115PAC to Staff 25, 26.pdf

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i009 JAN \ '5 M1 9: '5 \
Januar 14, 2009
Scott Woodbur
Deputy Attorney General
Idaho Public Utilties Commission
472 W Washington
Boise, ID 83702-5983
RE: PAC-E-08-07
IPUC_Production Data Request (13-38)
201 South Main, Suite 2300
Salt Lake City, Uth 84111
Please find enclosed an original and three copies of Rocky Mountain Power's 15t Supplemental
Responses to IPUC _Production Data Request Numbers 25 and 26.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at [phone].
Sincerely,
~A iu u:/~
ted Weston, Manager
Regulation
Enclosures
PAC-E-08-07/Rocky Mountain Power
January 14, 2009
IPUC Production Data Request 25 - 15t Supplemental
¡PUC Production Data Request 25
What programs, if any, are offered by Rocky Mountain Power that wil assist
customers who wil have higher bils under the proposed rate increase?
1 st Supplemental Response to ¡PUC Production Data Request 25
Further to the Company's response to IPUC Production Data Request 25 dated
December 26, 2008.
Rocky Mountain Power (RMP) has programs in place to lower usage, bilings and
provide emergency energy assistance to income eligible households.
The Low Income Weatherization Program, offered through Schedule 21, is
avaílable through the Company's parnership with Eastern Idaho Community
Action Parnership and Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency. Energy
effciency measures are installed in homes of income qualifying customers that
either own or rent and reside in single-family homes, aparments and
manufactured homes. RMP covers 75% of associated costs and the agencies
leverage these fuds with state and federal grants so services are at no cost to
limited income households. This is a long-term solution that helps customers
lower their electric usage and bils.
RMP has committed to ensure that total anual donations to Lend-A-Hand are a
minimum of $40,000. This is a five year commitment that began July i, 2006.
The commitment has resulted in approximately a doubling of total anual
contributions when compared to the Company's policy to match all donations
from customer and employees dollar-for-dollar in place prior to July i, 2006.
In addition, if the Commission determines it wil encourage and support
legislation to offer targeted assistance to limited income households, RMP
requests that the legislation allow the utilties to be flexible as to the type of
programs they offer, recognizing the unique circumstances of each utilty and
service area, that any legislation allow for recovery of program costs through a
separate rider or other mechanism on customer bils and that such programs be
voluntary offerings by the utilties.
. IØ
PAC-E-08-07/Rocky Mountain Power
January i 4, 2009
IPUC Production Data Request 26 - i 5t Supplemental
IPUC Production Data Request 26
What programs wil be implemented to offer targeted assistance for customers
with electric space heat?
1 st Supplemental Response to ¡PUC Production Data Request 26
Furher to the Company's response to IPUC Production Data Request 26 dated
December 26, 2008.
Rocky Mountain Power (RMP) estimates about 3 i % of residential customers
have electric space heat. The Low Income Weatherization Program assists income
eligible customers. Eligible measures include insulation in electrically heated
homes. This program helps households decrease kWh usage and their bils and
makes their homes more comfortable.
The Low Income Horne Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is fuded with
federal grants. The Company believes the significant increase in LIHEAP
funding for the 2008/2009 heating season is a positive step in obtaining
recognition by the congressional delegation of the importance of the LIHEAP
program. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has determined
that LIHEAP funds be provided to cover heating costs. Customers with electric
heating systems can obtain LIHEAP assistance. Lend-A-Hand fuds are also
available to RMP customers in need of assistance.
In addition, if the Commission determines it wil encourage and support
legislation to offer targeted assistance to limited income households, RMP
requests that the legislation allow the utilties to be flexible as to the type of
programs they offer, recognizing the unique circumstances of each utilty and
service area, that any legislation allow for recovery of program costs through a
separate rider or other mechanism on customer bils and that such programs be
voluntar offerings by the utilties.