20130517Comments (2 Total).pdf

Walmart )‘
F (‘1 \f i-fl Save money.Live better.
2001 SE 10th Street
21113 I Ph &I J Bentonville,AR 72716-5530
Phone [phone]
www.walmart.com
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May 14,2013
Commission Secretary Jean D.Jewell
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
472 W.Washington Street
Boise,ID 83702-5918
RE:Case No.IPC-E-13-1O,In the Matter of the Application of Idaho Power Company for
Authority to Implement Power Cost Adjustment (PCA)Rates for Electric Service From June 1,
2013 Through May 31,2014
Dear Secretary Jewell:
Wal-Mart Stores,Inc.(Walmart”)appreciates the opportunity to submit written comments to
the Commission per the April 23td,2013 Order and Notice in this case.Walmart operates 22 retail
stores in Idaho,employing over 6,600 associates.In its fiscal year ending 2013,Walmart purchased
$299 million worth of goods and services from Idaho-based suppliers,supporting 13,943 supplier
jobs.1 Walmart has approximately 13 facilities serviced by Idaho Power in Idaho.
Electricity represents a significant portion of retailers’operating costs.When rates increase,
that increase in cost to retailers puts pressure on consumer prices and on the other expenses
required by a business to operate,which impacts retailers’customers and employees.Rate
increases also directly impact retailers’customers,who are Idaho Power’s residential and small
business customers.Given current economic conditions,a rate increase is a serious concern for
retailers and their customers.The Commission should consider these impacts thoroughly and
carefully in ensuring that any increase in Idaho Power’s rates is only the minimum amount necessary
for the utility to provide adequate and reliable service.
In this case,Idaho Power has proposed to increase its Power Cost Adjustment (‘PCA”)by
$140.3 million from June 1,2013 to May 31,2014,due to a number of factors including lower hydro
generation and lower market energy prices than forecast and the expiration of approximately $50
million in rate credits.The proposed impact of this increase to Large General Service (Schedule 9)
customers is 16.86 percent.However,because of the higher load factor of our stores,the impact of
the $140.3 million increase is closer to 20 percent.This is a significant cost increase,particularly in
the abbreviated timeframe of one year in which PCA changes are implemented.
Idaho Power has proposed a mitigation alternative which would reduce the rate increase on
June 1,2013 from $140.3 million to approximately $87.9 million,with the remaining $52.5 million to
be collected in the 2014-2015 PCA rate year.Walmart agrees conceptually with Idaho Power’s
http://corporate.walmart.com/ou r-story/locations/u nited-states#/u nited-states/idaho
Walmart
reservations regarding the implementation of a mitigation plan and that,optimally,power costs will be
recovered as close as possible to the time in which those costs were incurred.However,given the
extraordinary impact of the proposed non-mitigated increase and the Company’s testimony regarding
their favorable financial position and ability to withstand any cash flow impacts of the mitigation
proposal,Walmart recommends that the Commission approve the mitigation proposal put forth by
Idaho Power.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment in this case.If you have any questions please do
not hesitate to contact me at [phone] or [e-mail].
Sincerely,
Steve W.Chriss
Senior Manager,Energy Regulatory Analysis
Wal-Mart Stores,Inc.
Jean Jewell
From:Jean Jewelt
Sent:Friday,May 17,2013 8:42 AM
To:Jean Jewell
Subject:FW:Consumer Assistance Form
Original Message
From:lizard4O2000(tyahoo.com [mailto:lizarU4O2S00tyahoo.comj
Sent:Tuesday,May 14,2013 12:40 PM
To:Front;Beverly Barker
Subject:Consumer Assistance Form
Consumer Assistance Form submitted by Lisa Morgan follows:
Name:Lisa Morgan
Contact E-Mail:lizard402000(tyahoo.com
Daytime Telephone:[phone]
Home Address:3190 NW Lancaster Ln Trlr 46
City:Mountain Home
State:Idaho
Zipcode:83647
If this concerns a Business,Business Name:
Business Address:
Business Phone:
Name of Utility Company:Idaho Power
Have you contacted the utility regarding your concern?:yes
Please describe your question or complaint briefly:
The tiered rates that are being charged is very difficult on people who are on a fixed incomewhatarewesupposedtodowhenourbillismorethanourSocialSecurityandthepaymentsonlevelpayismorethanwecanaffordwhenwehavetochoosebetweenmedicationorfoodalreadyandthecompaniesthattrytohelprunoutofmoneythemselvessowhatarewesupposedtodo????
The form submitted on http ://www.puc .idaho.gov/forms/cons/cons .htmlIPaddressis71.220.174.182
cons
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