HomeMy WebLinkAbout20161104press release.pdf
Case No. PAC-E-16-14, Order No. 33639
Contact: Gene Fadness (208) 334-0339 or 890-2712
www.puc.idaho.gov
Rocky Mountain seeks prudency finding
for investment in efficiency programs
BOISE (November 4, 2016) – Rocky Mountain Power is asking the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission to determine that about $7.46 million of the company’s investments in energy
efficiency programs during 2014-15 were prudently incurred and benefitted customers. This
application does not impact rates.
The programs encourage customers to use less energy or shift consumption to off-peak hours.
The programs are funded by a rider that appears as “Customer Efficiency Services” on bills. The
rider is currently set at 2.7% of a customer’s monthly billed amount. Part of the commission’s
prudency review is to determine if the programs benefit all customers, not just those who
directly participate in the programs.
Rocky Mountain Power claims the programs saved the utility 11,410 megawatt hours in 2014
and 15,692 MWh in 2015. That decreased consumption reduces power supply expense for all
customers and eliminates or delays the need for the company to build new generating facilities.
Rocky Mountain Power offers five energy efficiency programs.
“Home Energy Saver” provides products and services to residential customers such as
insulation, duct sealing, CFL and LED lighting and other services.
“Refrigerator Recycling” offers customers rebates for removal and recycling of
inefficient refrigerators and freezers.
“Low Income Weatherization” provides energy efficiency services to residential
customers meeting income guidelines.
“Low Income Conservation Education” targets customers receiving low-income energy
assistance and provides them information about how to better conserve energy and
understand their bill.
“Non-Residential Energy Efficiency” is a consolidation of commercial and industrial
energy efficiency programs into a single portfolio the company calls “wattsmart.” It
helps commercial and industrial customers improve efficiency in lighting, HVAC systems,
motors, building envelopes and other equipment.
Rocky Mountain reports that, overall, the programs were cost-effective, meaning their benefits
outweighed their cost. However, the low-income weatherization program, failed to pass two of
three cost-effectiveness tests.
Rocky Mountain Power, a division of PacifiCorp, serves 75,500 customers in its eastern Idaho
territory.
Parties who wish to intervene in this case to present evidence and cross-examine other parties
must file a petition to intervene with the commission by no later than Nov. 22. Later, the
commission will set deadlines for public to comment.
Copies of Rocky Mountain Power’s application and other documents related to the case are
found on the commission’s Website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on “Open Cases” under the
“Electric” heading and scroll down to Case No. PAC-E-16-14.
###