Website:
www.puc.idaho.gov
Commission:
Customers will benefit from increase in efficiency rider
Customers
of Rocky Mountain Power in eastern Idaho will pay more for a rider on customer
bills to fund an expansion of the utility’s energy efficiency programs. The
increase in the rider, from 1.5 percent to 3.72 percent, is about $1.56 per month
more for an average residential customer.
The Idaho
Public Utilities Commission approved the increase as one that will be
financially beneficial to customers in the long-term. “We find that demand-side
management, conservation, and energy efficiency measures continue to be the
least-cost resources that utilities can acquire to serve new load,” the
commission said.
PacifiCorp,
the parent company of Rocky Mountain Power, anticipates a shortage of energy
resources to serve peak loads this summer. By implementing programs funded by
the rider, the company estimates it will save 13,140 megawatt-hours per year.
At the former 1.5 percent, the rider funded programs that saved about 8,000 MWh
during 2007.
While those
customers who directly participate in the conservation programs will benefit
the most, “all customers, including those with fixed and limited income, will
benefit from deferring the cost of new supply-side resources,” the commission
said. Further, Idaho’s share of system supply costs in PacifiCorp’s six-state
territory will decrease from expanded conservation programs.
Revenue
collected from the rider must go directly to fund and administer energy
efficiency programs and cannot be used for other purposes. The enhanced energy
efficiency programs will offer information, services and cash incentives to
help customers install energy efficient equipment or make permanent operational
changes to reduce consumption and save money.
The
commission directed the company to file a report each year on May 1 outlining
the programs and demonstrating their cost-effectiveness. The commission also
directed the company to provide the information necessary to conduct a prudency
review of the costs and expenses related to the program during the company’s
next general rate case. “Costs imprudently incurred will not be paid by
customers,” the commission said.
The
Northwest Energy Coalition filed comments in support of the filing. NWEC contends PacifiCorp has been underfunding
and underachieving energy savings and believes the time is ripe for a
significant expansion of effort. The commission should make it clear, NWEC
said, that utility performance not be measured on expenditure of funds, but on
the actual energy savings acquired.
Rocky
Mountain Power proposes these changes:
n Expanding the FinAnswer Express
program, which provides incentives for commercial and
industrial customers in efficient lighting, premium motors and mechanical
upgrades to heating and cooling systems. Both new construction and
retrofit projects are eligible. Rocky Mountain Power reports there is a waiting
list of business customers wanting to participate.
n Adding the Energy FinAnswer program
to its Idaho jurisdiction. Rocky Mountain Power, which operates as PacifiCorp
in five other Western states, offers this program in other states. It would
provide incentives and honorariums to builders of new construction projects
that exceed current Idaho energy code by at least 10 percent.
n Modifying and updating the
Irrigation Energy Savers program, which helps irrigators with system upgrades,
including the installation of frequency drives on pumps that help them to
operate more efficiently.
n Modifying the Home Energy Savings
program to increase participation and align incentive levels with Idaho
markets. The program provides incentives for residential customers for more
efficient use of washing machines, dishwashers, water heaters, lighting, evaporative
cooling, insulation and heat pumps.
Other
programs funded by the rider that will continue without change are Refrigerator
Recycling, Low-Income Weatherization Services and the Irrigation Load Control
Credit Rider.
A full
text of the commission’s order, along with other documents related to this
case, is available on the commission’s Web site at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on “File Room”
and then on “Electric Cases” and scroll down to Case No. PAC-E-08-01.
Interested parties may petition the
commission for reconsideration by no later than May 21. Petitions for
reconsideration must set forth specifically why the petitioner contends that
the order is unreasonable, unlawful or erroneous. Petitions should include a
statement of the nature and quantity of evidence the petitioner will offer if
reconsideration is granted.
Petitions can be
delivered to the commission at 472 W. Washington St. in Boise, mailed to P.O.
Box 83720, Boise, ID, 83720-0074, or faxed to 208-334-3762.