20130102Comment.pdf

PICABO LIVESTOCK CO., INC. Tel [phone]
Box 688 fax [phone]
PICABO, IDAHO 83348 [e-mail]
December 26, 2012
Hearing Officer
Idaho Public Utility Commission
P.O. Box 83720
472 W. Washington St.
Boise, Idaho 83702-0074
Re: Temporary suspension of the Idaho Power Irrigation Peak Rewards program.
Dear Officer:
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I have been a major participant in the Idaho Power Irrigation Peak Rewards program since
its inception. My understanding is that the program was valuable and useful to Idaho Power
Company because it conserved power and leveled out the peak loads. I experienced no load
control events in 2012 even though there were many days of excess demand for power placed on
the Idaho Power system. I ask a high up official of Idaho Power why they had not used the
program and I was told that "they could buy the power cheaper than pay the farmer to
conserve".
This upset and disturbed me because I am one to save and conserve whenever possible
and we had agreed to let Idaho Power curtail our power to help conserve power. And rather that
conserve power they purchased it from out of state and ultimately probably increased the cost for
someone.
I would hope that you investigate just how much power the company purchased in lieu of
using the Peak Rewards program and see if that is the reason they did not use the program in
2012. And do they now want to discontinue the program for the foreseeable future because they
can wheel power in from other sources?
Thank you for your efforts in providing fair and affordable power to the users of
electricity.
Sincerely,
Nick Purdy