Jul 8 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - The Idaho Statesman, Boise


The program would have allowed the utility to remotely power down air conditioners in commercial buildings during times of peak electrical demand.

That's similar to an existing program for residential customers that gives participating customers a $7-a-month credit in June, July and August.

Idaho Power proposed that the costs of the commercial program -- about $325,500 in 2009 and $340,800 in 2010 -- be paid from the Energy Efficiency Rider on customer bills.

The rider was recently increased from 2.5 percent of customer bills to 4.75 percent.

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission said it was encouraged by Idaho Power's recent efforts to set up more demand-reduction programs, but said there is a limited amount of Energy Efficiency Rider money from which to pay for them.

"The deployment of rider funds must be reserved for programs wherein the company has made a more definitive showing that the costs of implementing the program will not exceed the benefits of demand reduction," the commission said Tuesday.

The cost of a commercial program is greater than the residential program because the equipment that must be installed at commercial buildings is more expensive, the commission said.

Idaho Power proposed that the commercial program be available for up to 200 qualifying commercial customers in Ada and Canyon counties. The company would have collected data from 2009 and 2010 before deciding whether to propose the program for its entire service territory. Participating commercial customers would have received a $7 credit from the company for each month they participated.

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