Playing with numbers

Sun., Nov. 18, 2018

On Nov. 10, 2018, The Spokesman-Review published the article “Idaho utility’s lawsuit against EPA involving salmon on hold” by Keith Ridler. Idaho Power claims that the change they advocate could “…reduce the cost of electricity, the company said, saving customers up to $100 million over 50 years.”

So that means it would save $2 million a year, which is still a big number.

However, based on the number of customers cited in the article, 534,000, that means this change would save each rate-payer less than $4 a year. Assuming the numbers in the article are correct, it seems like Idaho Power is just trying to influence public opinion with scary big numbers that don’t actually represent the impact it will have on its customers. Don’t be fooled.

James Knobbs

Richland

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