20040209Comment.pdf

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February 4, 2 a a 4 ZOUY fEB -5 PM 4: 3&
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JIIL ll!ES COI"it'iISSIONIdaho Public utili ties Commission
4 72 W. WashingtonBoise, ID 83702
Dear Commissioners:
I have a few comments regarding Idaho Power s proposed rateincrease.
Our power company in North Idaho had everyone read their own
meters. A postcard was sent each month to the customer and
once a year a meter reader would confirm the customer s readings.
Think of the savings. Idaho Power has about 100 meter readers,
driving 100 vehicles, logging 1.6 million miles annually!
monthly check by a meter reader may be necessary for customers
wi th more variable power use, such as commercial or seasonalirrigation use. Customers who are unable to accurately read
their meters should be assessed a fee for the service of a
company meter reader. It might be a real eye opener for people
reading their meters to see that wheel spinning and wonder what
appliance (s) are gulping all that power, which leads to my next
recommenda t ion.
There should be incentives for people to conserve power. The
most equitable incentive would be graduated rates for "basicand "extravagant" use. Power could cost a certain price up
to a certain number of kilowatt hours. After that, the price
goes up. Judging from the size of new homes in Lemhi County,
the bulk of the customers can easily afford this. Those of
us on small incomes living in small houses, who are willing
to conserve, shouldn t be paying the same rates as the powergluttons. I know a lot of people retire near Salmon because
the cost of living is low. But is it fair that they can afford
to build and power a large home and in turn drive up the rates
of the people who are already here?
re willing to pay our fair share, but everyone needs some
motivation to conserve.
Thank you for your consideration of my opinions.
Sincerely,
R- CI
Cj ), 1 c ~ct'Y',
Peggy McCallum
19 Packer Lane
Salmon, ID 83467