BOISE, ID – Officials with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission have announced how the public can comment on Idaho Power’s application to increase the rates it charges electricity customers.
Idaho Power’s 20-year energy plan predicts large increase in customer growth and peak energy load
In May, Idaho Power filed an application with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission seeking an overall rate increase of about $199 million, or about 13%.
If approved as requested, the average residential customer’s bill would increase by about $21.66 each month, or about $260 per year.
Beginning in September, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission will conduct several public meetings and solicit public testimony on the proposed increase.
The first meeting will be conducted online Sept. 16 and include a presentation of Idaho Power’s application. Public hearings to accept customer testimony on the record will be conducted Oct. 27 in Twin Falls and Nov. 20 in Boise (see full schedule at the bottom of this article).
Finally, a technical hearing with witnesses being cross examined and exhibits being submitted is scheduled to begin Dec. 2 in Boise and could last all week.
Idaho Power, which has its headquarters in Boise, serves about 650,000 customers across a 24,000-square-mile service area. The vast majority of its customers – about 84% – are residential customers, while about 12.5% are commercial customers. Another 3% are irrigation customers.
Idaho Power’s latest 20-year forecast projects large increases in customer growth and peak energy loads, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported. In addition to residential growth, Idaho Power has seen a significant recent increase in new and expanded large industrial customers.
The new Meta data center in Kuna and Micron’s expansion in Boise are driving a new level of industrial growth, the Sun previously reported.
Dates and deadlines related to Idaho Power’s application to increase customer’s electricity rates
6 p.m., Sept. 16: Idaho Public Utilities Commission will conduct an online workshop offering an overview of Idaho Power’s request and be available to answer questions. To participate in the workshop, visit https://idahogov.webex.com/ and enter meeting number 28612262356 and then enter the password Commission. The public can also listen in by phone by calling 415-655-0001 and entering the password 28612262356.
4:30 p.m., Oct. 27: The Idaho Public Utilities Commission will conduct a customer hearing to take public testimony for the record at the American Legion Hall, 447 Seastrom St., in Twin Falls. The meeting is scheduled to end at 7:30 p.m., or whenever all customer testimony is heard, whichever comes first.
4:30 p.m., Nov. 20: A customer hearing will be held to take public testimony for the record at the Idaho Public Utilities Commission office, 11331 W. Chinden Blvd. in Boise. The meeting will run until 7:30 p.m., or all customer testimony is heard, whichever comes first.
Nov. 20: This is the deadline to submit written comments on Idaho Power’s application to increase rates. Customers may submit written comments online at the Idaho Public Utilities Commission’s website, http://puc.idaho.gov and clicking on the “Case Comment Form” link. Customers should use case No. IPC-E-25-16 when filling out the form. Comments can also be submitted via email to secretary@puc.idaho.gov. Commenters are required to submit their name, address and case No. IPC-E-25-16 when submitting an emailed comment.
9 a.m., Dec. 2: The Idaho Public Utilities Commission will conduct a technical hearing on Idaho Power’s application at its office, 11331 W. Chinden Blvd. in Boise. During a technical hearing, parties to the case may cross examine witnesses, submit testimony and submit exhibits. The technical hearing will continue, if needed Dec. 3 to Dec. 5 at 9.a.m. each day. The technical hearing will also be streamed at https://idahogov.webex.com/, use code 26330752869 and password Commission to watch the stream.
Idaho Capital Sun is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Christina Lords for questions: info@idahocapitalsun.com.
