Energy efficiency may help lower Rocky Mountain Power rates

Rocky Mountain Power credits energy efficiency for its proposal to lower its electricity rates for Idaho customers.

The utility said its Customer Efficiency Services Charge would be lowered from 2.7 percent to 2.25 percent on each customer’s bill. If approved, the .45 percent decrease would reduce a typical residential customer’s bill by about $5 per year, based on monthly use of 800 kilowatt-hours.

Rocky Mountain Power said it identified more efficient ways to deliver energy efficiency programs, making the reduction possible.

“Customers benefit two ways from these programs,” said Tim Solomon, regional business manager in Rexburg. “First, participating customers benefit from lower bills as they take advantage of these programs and use electricity more efficiently. Second, all customers benefit whether they participate in the programs or not because the cost of electricity saved through these programs is about half the cost of electricity generated by a new power plant. It’s part of our balanced approach to use a variety of cost-effective methods to provide electricity to our customers.”

Those programs include cash incentives for energy efficient appliances, improved insulation, energy efficient windows, and low income weatherization. Businesses can benefit by completing energy efficiency projects.

The company filed the proposal with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission November 9. If approved, it would take effect on January 1, 2019.