20130215Comments (2 Total).pdf

Idaho Public Utilities Commission
Attn: Randy Lobb, Utilities Division Director
472 West Washington Street
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
7013 FEB 15 API 8:41
UTI LIT IES CO?YUSS1O
February 11, 2013
AVIA -ia-i -o/14vu -6-0-017
To Whom It May Concern,
How much does Avista pay for the electricity it charges us for? A large portion of the
electricity we use is generated by dams that we, the taxpayers built, and in some cases are
still paying for. Avista leases the rights to use the dam to produce power, and other than
upkeep of the dam site, they don't pay anything for the electricity that they charge us for.
Given the seemingly exorbitant profits made by Avista, I believe a portion of those profits
could and should be used to assist low income and/or unemployed individuals in our
communities. I would like to see Avista put some of the profits they earn towards helping
those who are really in need in our communities.
Many people in Idaho, as well as the rest of the country, are faced with extreme financial
hardships. Whether we are unemployed, or the jobs we have only pay minimum wage,
which in Idaho is only $7.25 an hour and one of the lowest in the country, many have
monthly incomes of $800 or less and rely on public assistance programs such as Food
Stamps just to try and make ends meet. I believe individuals who receive state and/or other
public assistance would benefit greatly if a low flat rate, or waived electricity bill was in
place.
Avista, however, just seems to profit and flourish. According to an article posted in The
Spokesman-Review in October of 2012, Avista's profits were $5.8 million dollars for the
quarter ending September 2012, which was down from an amazing $10.7 million dollars the
year before. Even a portion of that kind of profit would be extremely helpful and appreciated
by individuals and communities in these desperate and trying times.
Rather than investing in those in need, Avista hired a subsidiary company to come in and
give them ideas on how to better manage their power, and paid them an exorbitant amount of
money to do so. Why not put some of that money into finding alternative energy sources or
offering incentives to the communities and individuals in need?
Avista is making millions of dollars a year from monies taxpayers spent to build the very
dams that make them their millions. With the economy and unemployment rates in their
current states, I believe Avista can and should help, and use a portion of those profits to help
those in need instead ofjust themselves. Who knows, maybe their gifts could be used as
some kind of tax write-off? So they'd help the needy and themselves, not to mention
improve their overall appearance to the public. Thank you for taking the time to read my
letter and I hope to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Tammy S. Taylor
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Jean Jewell
From: [e-mail]
Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2013 9:36 AM
To: Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness
Subject: PUC Comment Form
A Comment from James McConnell follows:
Case Number: RATE INCREASE
Name: James McConnell
Address: 916 Hawthorne St.
City: Lewiston
State: Idaho
Zip: 83501
Daytime Telephone: [phone]
Contact E-Mail: 1wldmcconnellnetscape.net Name of Utility Company: Avista
Acknowledge: acknowledge
Please describe your comment briefly:
I don't believe the average utility bill is $80. a month. That is very misleading. I believe
it is closer to $200. per month and the rate increase would average a lot more.Mine is
$228.per month year round. I don't believe Avista needs more. How much do they spend on
advertising? How much do they spend on charities? How much is the government giving them for
wind power and renewable resources? Avista is a monopoly supposedly controlled by the PUC
which is appointed by Governor Otter. It's kinda like have children guard the Cookie Jar!!
Avista needs nothing for several years! They should not be giving our money away to charities
probably of their choice. They need no advertising or BONUS' because residents in Idaho have
no choices. There are probably a lot more places to cut but I lust don't have the
information.
The form submitted on http://www.puc.idaho.gov/forms/€``ipuci/€€ipuc.html
IP address is 67.60.75.0
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