20160318Comment.pdf

Jean Jewell
From:secretary
Sent:Friday,March 18,2016 11:32 AM
To:Jean Jewell;Diane Holt
Subject:FW:case NO.PAC-E-16-06
From:Stanley Searle
Sent:Friday,March 18,2016 11:31:38 AM (UTC-07:00)Mountain Time (US &Canada)
To:secretary;[e-mail];[e-mail];[e-mail]
Subject:case NO.PAC-E-16-06
Case Number:PAC-E-16-06
First Name:*Stanley
Last Name:*Searle
Address:1288 North 600 East
City:*Shelley
State:*Idaho
Zip:*83274
Daytime Phone:[phone]
Email:*[e-mail]
Name of Utility Company:*Pacificorp
I acknowledge that submitting a comment in an open case constitutes a public record under Idaho Code §74-101
(13)and all information provided by me on this form is available for public and media inspection.My comment
may be reviewed by the utility.
Dear Commission
I would like to speak to the issue of PAC-E-1 6-06,order NO.33482.
First some back ground.
A few years back my son started to farm with me.He is working his way into the operation.We wanted to transfer some of
the power accounts into his name.When we tried to do so we learned of the power company’s policy that he would have
to have a years deposit down and that the company over time would use it to pay a portion of the bill.This would make a
young farmer take undo risk in a industry that has tight margins.Over the past years we have worked with the power
company to try and find equal ground that would work for both parties.We also learned that a few have unpaid bills,these
unpaid bills hurt the industry.By making those paying there bill have increased rates and those not paying getting a free
lunch and they compete with us.I feel this policy does well to make this work.In reading it through I find it address the
issue well.
I have two concerns that those in the know may know if it says enough.First is Paragraph 8 it states those who need to
have a deposit.in “(2)The irrigation customer was required to pay an advance prior to the previous irrigation season....’I
do not have a problem with this other than each year once you fall into this category you have no written way out.it is left
up to the company to let you out by not requiring a deposit if they so desire.The Company can always require the deposit
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each year.Easy fix;After Two years of compliance deposit is not required.
Next is interest paid by the company on the deposit.It is going to be set by the commission.The commission needs to set
it high enough to help the user meet his expenses to obtain the prepayment.If you set it to low the company has no
reason to refund if to high the grower benefits.I would hope you could find a middle ground.
thank you for your time and efforts.Feel free to call if you have any question.
Sincerely
c Stanley Searle
[e-mail]
208-521-6520
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