20070928Searle direct.pdf

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN POWER FOR
APPROVAL OF CHANGES TO ITS
ELECTRIC SERVICE SCHEDULES
CASE NO. P AC-07-
IDAHO IRRIGATION PUMPERS
DIRECT TESTIMONY
STANLEYC. SEARLE
SEPTEMBER 28, 2007
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS , AND EMPLOYMENT.
I am Stanley C. Searle. I am farmer in the Shelley area of Bingham County,
Idaho, and I am a member ofthe Idaho Irrigation Pumpers Association, Inc. My address is
1288 N. 600 E., Shelley, Idaho 83274.
WHO PROVIDEDS YOUR ELECTRIC SERVICE, HOW LONG
HAVE YOU BEEN FARMING, AND WHAT CROPS DO YOU CURRENTLY
RAISE?
The vast majority of the electricity for my farming operations is
provided by Rocky Mountain Power ("RMP"). I started farming in the Shelley area
in 1981. I currently raise potatoes, barley, and wheat.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE IMP ACT TO YOUR FARMING
OPERATIONS DUE TO THE LOSS OF THE BP A CREDIT?
The loss of the BP A credit has severely increased the costs of my
farming operations. From a review of my July/August bills, I estimate that my
electricity costs have increased approximately 50%. This increase, coupled with the
increase in diesel prices, has put a terrible financial strain on my farming operations.
Searle, Dir
Irrigators
WHY DID YOU NOT P ARTICIP ATE IN RMP'S LOAD CONTROL
PROGRAMS IN 2007?
I have participated in RMP's load control program in 2005 and 2006.
However, in looking at load control program for the 2007 irrigation season
, I
determined that the amount of the credit received did not the justify risks
participation. These risks of participation included the increased investment I had in
planting my crops and the losses to be sustained if I did not have sufficient water
applied to my crops to maintain yields and quality.
WILL YOU PAR TICIP ATE IN RMP'S LOAD CONTROL
PROGRAMS IN THE FUTURE?
Yes, if the credits are large enough to offset my costs and risk. The
loss of the BP A credit makes it necessary to do all within my control to
reduce my
power costs. Although I did not participate in the RMP on-demand program this
summer, I feel that the program shows promise and I am very interested in
participating in that program for the 2008 irrigation season if the credit is sufficient to
out weigh the risks of participating in the program.
WHAT IMPACT WILL RMP'S PROPOSED 6.7% INCREASE IN
IRRGATION RATES HAVE ON YOUR FARMING OPERATIONS?
Searle, Dir
Irrigators
RMP's proposed increase to my irrigation rate is a like throwing salt in
a wound in light of the loss of the BP A credit. I understand that energy costs are
going up, but the proposed increase, in conjunction with the loss of the BP A credit
causes serious rate shock and will very likely force me to cut back on certain parts of
my farming operations.
Q. DOES THIS CONCLUDE YOUR DIRECT TESTIMONY?
A. Yes.
Searle, Dir
Irrigators