20041008Press Release.pdf

IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Case No. IPC-04-, Order No. 29609
October 8, 2004
Contact: Gene Fadness [phone]
Website: www.puc.state.id.
Idaho Power seeks change in irrigation deposits
Boise - The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has suspended a request by Idaho Power Co. to
revise its deposit requirements for irrigators behind on paYments. The company sought to have
the revised deposit requirements in place by Oct. 18, but the commission wants more time to
investigate the reasonableness of the company s request and to solicit comments from customers.
Idaho Power claims it has experienced an increase in unpaid irrigation bills and net write-offs
due to bad debt. The number of irrigation service locations has increased whi~e the number
persons responsible for those service locations has decreased. Idaho Power claims that
consolidation of accounts into the hands of fewer customers raises the level of risk to which the
company is exposed.
The company is proposing that customers who owe more than $1 000 on Dec. 31 be required to
pay a deposit based on a formula that, in essence, collects the customer s bill for the next
irrigation season in advance. The deposit would be applied to each monthly bill as it becomes
due throughout the season. A customer who has been discharged from a bankruptcy or who has
had receivership proceedings terminated will be required to pay a deposit under the same
formula.
A less expensive deposit would also be required for customers who owe less than $1 000 but
who have received two or more reminder notices of$100 or more during a 12-month period. The
same formula would apply to customers whose service is disconnected during the out-of-season
period due to nonpaYment.
The commission is soliciting comments from customers or other interested parties by no later
than Oct. 29. The commission may not hold a hearing unless comments received indicate a
hearing is necessary.
Comments are accepted via e-mail by accessing the commission s homepage at
www.puc.state.id.and clicking on "Comments & Questions." Fill in the case number (IPC-
04-20) and enter your comments. Comments can also be mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ill
83720-0074 or faxed to [phone]. Comments should also be mailed to the company to
Monica B. Moen, Idaho Power Company, P.O. Box 70, Boise, ill, 83707 or emailed to
mmoen(~jdahopower. con1 and n1brilz(fYidahopower. con1
A full text of the commission s order, along with other documents related to this case, are
available on the commission s Web site. Click on "File Room" and then on "Electric Cases" and
scroll down to Case No. IPC-04-20.