New Energy Bill Discount Program Available for Idaho Power Customers
Posted on October 24, 2024 by Charlotte Shuff
Tags, Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 24, 202
New Energy Bill Discount Program Available for Idaho Power Customers
Following a year with high levels of disconnections, Eastern Oregonians will now be able to save 10-70 percent each month off their energy bills.
Utility customers in Eastern Oregon can now enroll in Idaho Power’s new bill discount program. Qualifying customers could save up to 10 percent, 25 percent, or 70 percent off their monthly energy bill depending on household size and income. The Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board (CUB) and other energy advocates helped to create the bill discount program and save money for customers struggling with their energy bills.
This year has marked record energy disconnections for nonpayment across the state. Eastern Oregon has some of the lowest income levels in the state, making residents particularly vulnerable to high energy bills. By discounting energy bills each month, many households will be able to better avoid losing access to electricity because they cannot afford their monthly bill.
An Idaho Power customer in Eastern Oregon paying $150 per month could save $90 at the highest discount level. To qualify for the discount programs, households need to meet income qualifications based on family size and spend 6 percent of their total income on energy bills.
“Thanks to the collaboration between a coalition of energy advocates and Idaho Power, this new Idaho Power bill discount program will provide much-needed assistance relief to enrolled families,” said Sarah Wochele, Policy Associate at Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board. “Customers, especially low-income and marginalized communities such as seniors living on fixed incomes and seasonal farm workers, are being negatively impacted by high costs of living.”
CUB collaborated with energy advocates in Oregon to help ensure Idaho Power’s bill discount program was thoughtfully designed and implemented. Advocacy by Community Energy Project, Verde, and NW Energy Coalition was crucial to creating this support for customers. Idaho Power is the last for-profit utility in Oregon to launch a bill discount program.
Idaho Power customers can check their eligibility and apply for the program using an online enrollment form, by calling Idaho Power at 1-800-488-6151 or contacting their county’s Community In Action Agency. Customers do not need proof of income or citizenship to enroll. Instead, applicants can self-certify their gross annual household income, the number of people in their home, and their primary heating type (gas, electric, wood, propane, etc.). Idaho Power plans to have a Spanish online application available by the end of 2024.
The new program is part of Idaho Power’s latest rate increase case. On September 23, the Oregon Public Utility Commission approved a 5% rate increase for 2024. Idaho Power initially requested a 27 percent rate increase but a combination of updated hydro and fuel costs combined with advocacy from CUB and other advocates successfully reduced Idaho Power’s requested amount. Beginning on October 15, an average household will now see only a $4.13 increase in their monthly energy bills. Winter bills may see higher increases based on household usage during the heating season.
About the Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board (Oregon CUB):
Oregon CUB is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit established by initiative process to represent the interests of Oregon’s residential utility customers. CUB advocates for customers by working to develop energy systems that are affordable, accessible, reliable, and clean, and ensure telecommunications policies that support universal broadband access.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Charlotte Shuff
Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board
503.719.8744 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)charlotte@oregoncub.org
