20080407Press Release.pdf

For Immediate Release
April 1, 2008
Dennis Lopez
[phone]
dlopezßùidahopower.com
An IOACORP company
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Idaho Power Seeks To Change Out Of Date Line Extension Charges
BOISE, Idaho (April 1, 2008)-ldaho Power Mar. 10 fied an application with the Idaho
Public Utilties Commission (lPUC) for authority to change an 11-year-old price structure for new
underground service attachments and installation or alteration of distribution lines.
Known as "Rule H," the current pricing mechanism no longer reflects the actual costs of
labor and materials for extending power lines into new subdivisions, new homes, or new small
businesses. For example, Idaho Power has noted an increase in large scale residential
development requiring larger sized wire than that used in 1997 when the rule was last amendéd.
Depending upon the request, the company now commonly uses one of three sizes of
service wire to provide electrical connections. The company is asking the IPUC to recognize
and differentiate the price of service based upon the different size of underground cablés
needed to provide electricity to larger sized homes and small businesses today. The average
home today is approximately 2,500 square-feet compared to just over 2,000 square-feet in the
1990s when the current price structure was established.
The proposal seeks to change the price per foot for the distance of the new installation.
The existing method reflects no differentiation of costs by wire size. While standard overhead
service is provided at no charge by Idaho Power, underground installation costs must be paid by
customers who request it.
In 1997, the base charges for new underground attachments when service is provided from
existing underground facilities were $30 and $255 if a two-inch riser was required to take
service from overhead lines. The company is asking to increase these base charges to $40 and
$395 respectively. If approved, the new price structure also allows for a three-inch riser to
address larger-sized services not envisioned when the current price structure was created.
The following table demonstrates the current base and distance charges for new underground
service attachments and those proposed by Idaho Power for residential and small commercial
customers:
Idaho Power - Page 2
Base Charge
. from underground
. from overhead including 2" riser
. from overhead including 3" riser
Proposed Existing
$40.00 $30
$395.00 $255
$520.00 NA
$6.90 $5.05
$7.50 NA
$9.60 NA
$2.15 $1.05
$3.60 NA
$4.65 NA
Distance Charge---Idaho Power Installed Facilities (per foot)
. with 1/0 underground cable
. with 4/0 underground cable
. with 350 underground cable
Customer Provided Trench & Conduit (per foot)
. with 1/0 underground cable
. with 4/0 underground cable
. with 350 underground cable
Idaho Power asked the IPUC to act on its request by May 1 to allow the company to meét
the peak construction demand.
Idaho Power's application is a proposal open to public review and comment and is subject to
IPUC approvaL. The public can view Idaho Power's proposal, Case No. IPC-E-08-02, at
www.idahopower.com/aboutus/regulatoryinfo/filings.asp. the IPUC Web Site -
ww.puc.state.id.us.oratldahoPower.sCorporateHeadquarters.1221W.ldahoStreet.Boise.
Idaho. For more information contact:
Roger Pipkin
Idaho Power
P. O. Box 70
Boise,ID 83707
208-465-8616
RPipkinßùidahopower.com
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