Floods May Lead To Cheaper Idaho Power

Idaho residents eyeing area streams with some fear of flooding can console themselves with the likelihood high water will also mean lower power rates if they are customers of Washington Water Power Co.

The utility has asked the Idaho Public Utility Commission to approve a 2.4 percent rate decrease that would reflect the availability of abundant, cheap hydropower.

The cut, which would take effect June 1 and expire May 31, 1998, would trim $1.16 from the monthly bill of a residence consuming 1,020 kilowatt-hours of electricity.

An existing rollback, which expires Aug. 31, will reduce bills a total 4.8 percent, or $2.27 per month for the three months the two adjustments would overlap.

Idaho regulators approved a measure providing for the interim rate changes in 1989. The adjustments are triggered when high streamflows allow WWP to save $2.2 million in power costs, or when low water forces additional expenditures or at least that much.

Since 1989, rates have been raised three times and cut four times.

There is no adjustment clause for WWP’s Washington customers.

, DataTimes