20070213press release.htm

./021307_PACCAPsettle_files/filelist.xml IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
9.35 pt 2 IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Case No. PAC-E-06-10, Order No. 30239 February 13, 2007 Contact: Gene Fadness [phone]

Website:
http://www.puc.idaho.gov/www.puc.idaho.gov

Rocky Mountain Power, CAPAI reach weatherization agreement

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has accepted a settlement between PacifiCorp and the Community Action Partnership of Idaho (CAPAI) that expands the scope of weatherization activities and increases the utility’s share of expenses to install weatherization measures in low-income households in southeast Idaho.

The settlement comes from an earlier settlement between the commission and various parties to PacifiCorp’s recent rate case. PacifiCorp, which does business in eastern Idaho as Rocky Mountain Power, agreed to provide CAPAI an opportunity to contest the terms of Rocky Mountain’s participation in low-income weatherization programs. In exchange, CAPAI agreed not to contest the rate settlement. CAPAI is a non-profit corporation consisting of six community action agencies that serve every county in Idaho to fight the causes and conditions of poverty.

Under the terms of this settlement, Rocky Mountain has agreed to expand the scope of allowed weatherization measures, more closely aligning them to the weatherization measures provided in the rest of the state. For example, Rocky Mountain did not reimburse for repairs related to weatherization, such as a leaky roof or a damaged window frame. Under the settlement, those expenses will now be reimbursed to the community action agencies based in Idaho Falls and Pocatello that do the weatherization.

The company also agreed to increase its maximum reimbursement from 50 percent of the total cost to 75 percent when matching federal grants are available. If federal grants are not available, Rocky Mountain will provide 100 percent reimbursement.

Rocky Mountain has weatherized more than 600 homes since 1988. Rocky Mountain’s total funding for its weatherization is capped at $150,000 per year. Under the terms of the settlement, that cap remains the same.

CAPAI has also agreed not to intervene in any proceeding with the intent of modifying the program further for the next two years. At the end of the two-year period, Rocky Mountain will submit to the commission and to CAPAI an evaluation of the program’s results, particularly its cost-effectiveness.

The Low-Income Weatherization Program is intended to reduce electric consumption and monthly bills by increasing the efficiencies of low-income homes. The weatherization is provided at no charge to participating households.