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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. ###