20040308Comments.pdf

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BRANDT AGEN C-yutj f'iAR - 5
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REAL ESTATE - FARM MANAGEMENT-
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PHONE [phone] u IlL! j IES CDi"i/SSION
FAX [phone]
203 - 11TH AVENUE SOUTH
NAMPA, IDAHO 83651
3/4/04
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
O. BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITES COMMISSION:
I am writing this letter on behalf of the West End Project of approximately 5500 acres
pumped out ofthe Snake River south ofNampa, Idaho.
There are eight different landowners involved in the project.
The purpose of this letter is to protest Idaho Power Coo's requested 25% rate hike on
irrigation pumping and also the recent staff recommendation of 15%, which is
approximately five times higher than the recommendation on any classification.
It has become the norm to make irrigation pumping the scapegoat for the summertime
demand for power. However, when we put these projects in, in the 60', Idaho Power had
excess power during this time and was actively seeking our usage of power. There has
been practically no new irrigation projects put in for sometime. The extra peak
summertime load is primarily the result of growth and increased air conditioning.
seems unfair to place disproportionate burden on irrigation.
The farm economy has been struggling for a number of years, is continuing to do so, and
probably will for a number of years. Raises like this will put more and more of us out of
business. Maybe you don t care but agriculture is still a significant portion of Idaho
economy and it would seem to be short sighted to further weaken the economy of the
state.
I was pleased to see you recommend a cutback from Idaho Powers request but would
argue that irrigation be treated similarly to the other classes. You are right to disallow
many areas of their request. It has always been hard for me to reconcile the need to allow
them to recapture their improvements. If I invest $1 000 000 in a retail building my
normal rate of return would be 28 1/2%. Idaho Power gets their cake and can eat it too.
Serving Nampa s Real Estate Needs Since 1936
Just to give you an idea of the impact that either the Idaho Power request or the PUC staff
recommendation would have on those of us in the West End Project would have, I cite
our power costs for 2003.
Page Two
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
The cost of power for the river pumps was
Approximate re-lift &/or pressurization costs
$117.78 per acre.
41.88
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Total
25% increase
15% increase
$159.66 per acre
39.
23.
This would have drastic and disastrous effect on all of us irrigators.
We would appreciate your careful consideration of our views.
Sincerely,r7J~
Don Brandt for
West End Project
DB/gmb
Jean Jewell
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From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Ed Howell
Saturday, March 06, 2004 9:43 AM
Jean Jewell; Ed Howell; Gene Fadness; Tonya Clark
Comment acknowledgement
WWW Form Submission:
Saturday, March 06, 2004
9:42:44 AM
Case: IPC-E-03-
Name: Steven P Zuehl
Street Address: 1 Rainbow bend
Ci ty: Pollock
State: Id
ZIP: 83547
Home Telephone: [phone]
E-Mail: szuehl~ctcweb. net
Company: Idaho Power .
mailing list _yes - no (y~_
:?/
Comment description:I have been an Idaho Power Customer for over 30 years. In Kuna for
15 years. Boise for 10 years, and Pollock for 8 years. My experence with Idaho Power was
really good until I moved To Pollock. When the power goes off here it can be off for a few
seconds or 8 or more hours at a time. This happens at least 12 times a year. This can
effect customers from New Meadows to just south of Lucile. I feel that Idaho Power should
not get anymore of my money until they put in a loop and connect with the Power company
out of Grangeville which serves Lucile. We are at the end of the Idaho Power line up here.
This has to effect at least 1000 people. Thank you Steve Zuehl
Transaction 10: 36942.Referred by: http: / /www. puc. state. id. us/ scripts/polyform. dll/ipucUser Address: 12.30.213.User Hostname: 12.30.213.
Jean Jewell ~f/Oq ;fa Ai../1'0 '-' It
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Ed Howell
Friday, March 05, 2004 3:16 PM
Jean Jewell; Ed Howell; Gene Fadness; Tonya Clark
Comment acknowledgement
WWW Form Submission:
Friday, March 05, 2004
3:16:16 PM
Case: IPC-E-03-13
Name: Kathleen A HoganStreetAddress: 4482 Council-Cuprum Rd.
Ci t Y : Cuprum
State: Idaho
ZIP: 83612-5029
Home Telephone: [phone]
E-Mail: ladyace211~hotmail. com
Company: Idaho Power
mailing list yes no:
Comment description: I can not believe anyone would consider the power hike rate
requested by Idaho Power. It has been known for many years that it is already hard for
elderly, disabled and low income families to pay the rates we pay today. The new rates
they are requesting are totally absurd. How can anyone on a fixed income afford this?
Not to mention low income or single income families. Not only the new rate increase but
they also want a increase to $10.00 just for customer service????? This state will have a
lot more people dying in the winter from being cold then New York or any where else.
Strange how a utility compnay in Idaho could do this to its citizens when it is already
one of the poorest states in the union. I hope you can protect us from this increase.
Thanks for anything you can do for all of us.
Transaction 10: 351516.Referred by: http: / /www. puc. state. id. us/ scripts/polyform. dll/ ipucUser Address: 12.30.208.195User Hostname: 12.30.208.195