20050107Press Release.pdf

IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Case No. PAC-04-
January 6, 2005
Contact: Gene Fadness [phone]
Website: www.puc.idaho.eov
PacifiCorp proposes BP A credit reduction
Boise - A Bonneville Power Administration credit that goes to residential and small-farm
customers ofPacifiCorp will decrease if an application before the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission is approved.
The BPA credit extends the benefits of low-cost federal power to residential and small-farm
customers in the Pacific Northwest. The 1980 Northwest Power Act required that residential and
small-farm customers in the Northwest share in the benefits of the federal hydroelectric projects
located in the region.
PacifiCorp, which does business as Utah Power in southeastern Idaho, claims that it paid out
$6.8 million more in credits to residential and small-farm customers than it received from the
Bonneville Power Administration. PacifiCorp s application seeks an 8.04 percent reduction in
the credit given residential customers and a 20.47 percent reduction in the credit given small-
farm customers.
For an average residential customer using 1 048 kilowatt-hours a month, the credit would
decrease from $24.50 to $20.15. For an average-sized small-farm irrigation customer the yearly
credit would decrease from $4 526 to $3 626.
Following discussions with commission staff, the Idaho Irrigation Pumpers Association and
irrigation customers, PacifiCorp proposes to achieve a zero balance in its BP A account by Sept.
, 2006, but says additional adjustments may be necessary.
The commission will proceed under a modified procedure that allows the case to be handled
through written public comments rather than by public hearing. However, comments may request
a public hearing. Those wishing to submit comments must do so by no later than Jan. 20.
Comments are accepted via e-mail by accessing the commission s homepage at
www.puc.idaho.gov and clicking on "Comments & Questions." Fill in the case number (IPC-
04-6) and enter your comments. Comments can also be mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ill
83720-0074 or faxed to [phone].
A full text of the commission s order, along with other documents related to this case, are
available on the commission s Web site. Click on "File Room" and then on "Electric Cases" and
scroll down to the above case number.