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Idaho Public Utilities Commission
Case No. IPC-E-09-12, Order No. 30852
July 7, 2009
Contact: Gene Fadness (208) 334-0339, 890-2712
Commission denies application for conservation program
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission denied an application by Idaho Power Co. to implement a demand reduction program for its commercial customers. The program would have allowed the utility to remotely power down air conditioners in commercial buildings during times of peak electrical demand.
Idaho Power proposed that the costs of the program – about $325,500 in 2009 and $340,800 in 2010 – be paid from the Energy Efficiency Rider on customer bills. The rider was recently increased from 2.5 percent of customer bills to 4.75 percent.
The commission said it was encouraged by Idaho Power’s recent efforts to implement more demand reduction programs, but said there is a limited amount of Energy Efficiency Rider funds from which to finance such programs. “The deployment of rider funds must be reserved for programs wherein the company has made a more definitive showing that the costs of implementing the program will not exceed the benefits of demand reduction.”
Idaho Power has received requests from its commercial customers for a demand-reduction program similar to one now available to residential customers. During times of peak demand in June, July and August, Idaho Power is able to remotely cycle down air conditioning units of volunteer residential customers. However, the cost of a commercial program is greater than the residential program because the equipment that must be installed at commercial buildings is more expensive.
Idaho Power proposed that the commercial program be available for up to 200 qualifying commercial customers in Ada and Canyon counties. The company would have collected data from 2009 and 2010 before deciding whether to propose the program for its entire service territory. Participating commercial customers would have received a $7 credit from the company for each month it participated in the program.
A full text of the commission’s order, along with other documents related to this case, is available on the commission’s Web site at
http://www.puc.idaho.gov/www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on “File Room” and then on “Electric Cases” and scroll down to Case No. IPC-E-09-12.
Interested parties may petition the commission for reconsideration by no later than July 22. Petitions for reconsideration must set forth specifically why the petitioner contends that the order is unreasonable, unlawful or erroneous. Petitions can be delivered to the commission at 472 W. Washington St. in Boise, mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID, 83720-0074, or faxed to 208-334-3762.