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July 29, 2005

Energy Bill and Idaho Power -- A Mixed Bag

The news on energy and utility issues is usually a mixed bag and today is certainly no exception. In Washington D.C., the U.S. Senate has just passed the worst Energy Bill in recent history, one that repeals the consumer protections of PUHCA, reneges on renewable investments, and gives away the store to oil, gas, coal, and nuclear power producers. We appreciate the votes in opposition to this bill from Senator Ron Wyden, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, Rep. Darlene Hooley, Rep. David Wu, and Rep. Peter DeFazio.

Locally, however, the news is good. The Public Utility Commission of Oregon has decided UE 167, Idaho Power's first rate case in a few years. Idaho Power, which serves residents of Eastern Oregon, was asking for a 17.5% rate increase and a seasonal rate surcharge during the summer months. CUB argued that the rate increase was too high and that seasonal rates based on summer peaks made no sense in the Eastern Oregon Idaho Power service territory, where peaks tend to occur in the winter months.

The bottom line is that Idaho Power's rate increase was reduced to 2.4%, a net increase of about $600,000. That is a more than 86% reduction in the requested increase in rates CUB successfully won for Eastern Oregon ratepayers.

And that, while it doesn't balance out the effects of national energy policy, at least makes the day's news a bit brighter and proves the point that customers need advocates who can take on big utilities -- and win!

Posted by Oregon CUB at July 29, 2005 02:05 PM

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