Regulators Extend Wwp ‘Tariff’ Plan
Washington and Idaho regulators have extended for three years a Washington Water Power Co. conservation program that could become a model for the region and country.
The company finances home and business conservation efforts with a “tariff rider” that costs the average customer about 80 cents per month.
The rider raises $5 million annually that is spent on such programs as home weatherization and insulation, fuel-switching and energy-efficient lighting.
Combined with other WWP conservation efforts, the tariff is expected to trim company energy requirements by 13 megawatts over three years.
Spokesman Pat Lynch said each kilowatt saved costs WWP less than one cent on average, with none costing more than 3.4 cents.
Senior rate analyst Bruce Folsom said the tariff, which has been in place two years, costs customers less than traditional methods of accounting for conservation spending.
Company surveys of customers, he noted, have indicated they are willing to support ongoing energy-efficiency programs.
The tariff was recognized as one of the top 10 energy programs in the country for 1995 by The Results Center, an independent research company.
Ralph Cavanagh of the Natural Resources Defense Council praised WWP for finding an innovative way of funding conservation despite competitive pressures.
A recent review of the Northwest energy system concluded a surcharge like WWP’s rider might be needed to assure that regional conservation programs continue.
, DataTimes