20111122Comment.pdf

Jean Jewell
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
ckaltenecker~cableone. net
Saturday, November 19,2011 7:08 AM
Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness
PUC Comment Form
A Comment from Chris Kal tenecker follows:
Case Number: IPC-E-11-Ø8
Name: Chris Kal tenecker
Address: 6622 Saxton Ave.
City: Boise
State: Idaho
Zip: 83714
Daytime Telephone: 2Ø88539257
Contact E-Mail: ckal tenecker~cableone. net Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Acknowledge: acknowledge
Please describe your comment briefly:
I ~ m against any rate increase for power usage at this time. I ~ ve read many of the comments
from users on your webpage and agree with most of the reasons stated against any rate
increase.
The current economic environment doesn~t warrant any additional living cost to Idaho
families. Now is the time for austerity measures~ belt-tightening and innovative ideas to
reduce costs~ not to increase revenues on the backs of a captive customer for any public
utili ty company.
I~m not aware of the type of pension plan involved~ but most companies are going to a defined
contribution approach and asking employees to share in the investment similar to a 4Ø1k plan.
I was never in favor of sweetening the pot as an incentive to keep employees. Especially at
this time~ I would imagine the prospective worker pool is substantial. Besides~ isn~t it an
insult to those customers who have lost their pension or experienced a significant decrease
in their savings value~ to be asked to foot the bill for someone else~ s pension? There are
other ways to maintain a worker-friendly environment at a lower cost than increasing
pensions. I hope the consumer is not being asked to reimburse the utility for poor pension
fund management.
An 8.83% rate increase is outrageous! Is the economy increasing at that rate? I think not.
Is it their practice to inflate their rate request hoping to get something less approved?
Those kinds of games should be penalized.
I understand utility companies are unique entities ~ but I also assume they operate their
businesses similarly to those in private enterprise. These businesses are very much aware of
the need to constantly improve their qua Ii ty of service ~ quality of product and reliability
of equipment. These are part of the cost of doing business and are included in any plan to
survive. I don~t buy the argument stating look what I~m doing for you~ so now I have to
raise your rates.
The form submitted on http://www . puc. idaho. gov /forms/ipuc1/ipuc. html
IP address is 24.116.75.139
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