Idaho Power, Wwp Boast Lowest Rates

A new survey of 39 investor-owned electrical utilities shows Idaho Power Co. still offers the lowest commercial and industrial rates in the nation.

The July 1 survey by the Edison Electric Institute found Idaho Power rates were the lowest for small, medium and large commercial customers and small and large industrial users.

The survey also showed that Idaho Power’s residential rates were third-lowest in the nation, behind Washington Water Power’s rates to customers in Spokane and Lewiston.

Both utilities generate much of their power through hydroelectric facilities, which is cheaper than fossil fuel or nuclear generation.

Residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month paid $46.52 in Spokane, $46.99 in Lewiston and $49.90 in Boise.

By comparison, residential customers in New York City paid $142.96 for the same amount of electricity, $136.32 in Long Beach, Calif., and $134.77 in Boston. , DataTimes