20050104Press Release.pdf

IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Case No. IPC-04-, Order No. 29673
January 4, 2005
Contact: Gene Fadness [phone]
Website: www.puc.state.id.
Idaho Power seeks increase in efficiency rider
Boise - Feb. 16 is the deadline for Idaho Power customers to comment on the company
proposal to increase an energy efficiency rider on customer bills from the current 30 cents a
month for the average residential customer to 85 cents. The increased rider would become
effective June 1. Idaho Power s proposal further requests an increase to $1.36 per month for an
average residential customer beginning in June 2007.
If approved, the energy efficiency rider would help fund six major conservation programs
designed to offset the growth in demand for new power plants and to prevent the company from
acquiring power from more expensive sources to meet growing customer demand. Successful
conservation programs can delay the construction of new power plants and reduce the company
generation costs during times of peak use, thus slowing the increase in customer rates.
The conservation programs include one designed to reduce irrigation load and another to reduce
air conditioner use, both during peak times when electricity is at most demand and is most
expensive. The others include construction efficiency programs for residential and commercial
buildings.
The current rider, based on one-half of 1 percent of the company s base revenue, generates $2.
million annually. Costs for implementing the six programs from this year through 2009 increase
from $5.5 million to $10.8 million, the company claims. The rider, if approved, would be 1.
percent of base revenues effective June 1 , 2005 , and then increased to 2.4 percent of base
revenue effective June 1 , 2007.
The company also plans to work with its industrial customers who choose to devise their own
energy efficiency programs with the rider fees they pay.
Persons interested in participating in this case must notify the commission no later than Jan. 12.
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-
04-29) and enter your comments by no later than Feb. 16. Comments can also be mailed to P.
Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 or faxed to [phone]. To comment to the company, e-
mail bkline(~jdahopower.conl or write to Barton Kline, Idaho Power, PO Box 70, Boise, ID
83703.