20050128Press Release.pdf

IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Case No. PAC-04-
January 28, 2005
Contact: Gene Fadness [phone]
Website: www.puc.idaho.2ov
Commission approves reduction in BP A credit
Boise - The Idaho Public Utilities Commission today approved a reduction in the credit that
irrigation and residential customers of PacifiCorp get from the Bonneville Power Administration.
The credit reduction is needed to eliminate a deficit PacifiCorp has accrued because it paid
customers $6.8 million more in benefits than it received from BP A. Determining the exact
amount of the credit each month is difficult because the credit is based partly on projected
consumption. The $6.8 million deficit accumulated over a three-year period.
Effective Jan. 31 , the reduction in the credit for small-farm irrigation customers will be from
93 cents to 3.15 cents, or a 20.47 percent reduction. The credit will be reduced from 2.33 cents
to 1.92 cents for residential customers, or 6.96 percent.
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.
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.
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.
Interested parties may petition the commission for reconsideration by no later than Feb. 18.
Petitions for reconsideration must set forth specifically why the petitioner contends that the order
is unreasonable, unlawful or erroneous. Petitions should include a statement of the nature and
quantity of evidence the petitioner will offer if reconsideration is granted.
Petitions can be delivered to the commission at 472 W. Washington St. in Boise, mailed to P.
Box 83720, Boise, ill, 83720-0074, or faxed to 208-334-3762.
A full text of the commission s order, along with other documents related to this case, are
available on the commission s Web site at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on "File Room" and then
on "Electric Cases" and scroll down to Case Number P AC- E-04-