20100125Comment.pdf

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From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Gene Hemenway (genehemenway9~gmail.coml
Friday, January 22,201010:09 AM
Jean Jewell
Re: Your Comments Regarding Case
Good Morning. I don i t know if it will be helpful to the PUC but I am writing a note to help
you understand the frustrations of at least one consumer. The usage on my electrical bill
from 12-2-2008 to 12-2-2009 increased over 3,000 KWH and my electrical bill went from $398.45
to $803.57. The usage from 1-2-2009 to 1-4-2010 increased over 2,600 KWH and my electrical
bill went from $607.94 to $1,033.33.
Since I am concerned about this significant increase in cost, I wrote a letter to the PUC, I
called Idaho Power to check their meter, and I hired a heating contractor to check out the
new electric furnace that I installed in Oct of 2008. Idaho Power reports that their meter
is working properly. The heating contractor inspected the furnace and reports that it is
operating correctly. Our home is 10 years old and our usage of electricity has not changed
from last year.
The bottom line is that the monthly electrical charges are very high and there is no
explanation besides the reported increase in KWH and the obvious increases in rates due to
the three tier system.
It appears that my only choice is to try to find a more efficient heating system. The
heating contractor recommends that I install a heat pump at a cost in excess of $5,000. We
are in a cold climate in New Meadows and the heat pump may only offer partial relief but
there appears to be no other option since natural gas is not available to us. So, I spent
the money to convert from propane to electric in Oct of 2008 and now I have to spend $5,000
more to install a heat pump.
This really is frustrating. Hope this helps as the decision making process goes forward for
the PUC.
Gene Hemenway, CRS
208-880-1394
genehemenway9~mail . com
On Tue, Jan 5, 2010 at 3: 32 PM, Jean Jewell (Jean. Jewell~puc. idaho. gOV) wrote:
) Dear Mr. Hemenway:
)
) Thank you for your comments regarding Case No. IPC-E-08-10 - In the
) Matter of the Application of Idaho Power Company for Authority to
) Increase Its Rates and Charges for Electric Service. The Idaho Public
) Utilities Commission appreciates your input and interest in this case.
) Your comments have béen directed to the Commissioners and staff for
) their review.
)
) Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.
)
) Sincerely,
)
) Jean Jewell
) Commission Secretary
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