Idaho Oks End Of Power Conservation Programs

State utility regulators have decided to let Idaho Power Co. end its Partners in Industrial Efficiency conservation program.

Idaho’s biggest electric utility also recently ended its “Good Cents” program, which provided conservation funding for home customers.

The Partners in Industrial Efficiency program was designed to help Idaho Power larger customers conserve electricity. But the company said it may not be able to cover the program’s costs if the debate over deregulating electrical utilities leads to more competition.

“Idaho’s regulated electric utilities will face the challenges of at least partial deregulation and competing in a more open market with other providers,” the Idaho Public Utilities Commission said in approving Idaho Power’s request.

But the commission also said “there is no doubt that, as a society, we must continue to invest in those energy resources that have the least impact on the environment as well as on ratepayers’ pocketbooks.”