Power crisis hits Idaho businesses

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Power crisis hits Idaho businesses With rate increases looming, officials urge conservation 01/25/01

With the West Coast power crisis moving farther inland, many Idaho companies are looking at ways to save electricity. Idaho Power Co. may have to increase rates by 24 percent to offset $121 million in unexpected power costs and deal with sharply rising prices for electricity. Electric company officials and Idaho Public Utilities Commission members are urging businesses and individuals to closely monitor power usage between now and May, when Idaho Power will ask state regulators for a rate increase.

"The California crisis is hitting us too, it’s not just a ripple effect — it’s a tsnumai," Idaho Public Utilities Commissioner Paul Kjellander said. Nampa microprocessor manufacturer ZiLOG recently completed a $500,000 energy audit of its plant. ZiLOG spokesperson Kimberly Malanczuk, said the audit included recommendations for power conservation that the company plans to implement this year. After all the measures are in place, she said the company expects to save nearly 1.5 million kilowatt-hours per year. A typical residential customer uses 1,200 kilowatt-hours a month during the summer. Idaho Power officials say the 24 percent rate increase isn’t set in stone, but it’s likely consumers will have to pay more for power. Actual costs to customers could go up or down depending on the remainder of the season’s snowpack and power usage. Albertson’s Inc. announced a new energy-conservation plan this week in response to the increased power costs. The Boise-based grocery and drug store chain is implementing energy conservation measures in 900 of its West Coast Albertson’s stores, including all 39 Idaho stores.

Kjellander credited Albertson’s decision. "While Albertson’s efforts will help significantly to protect the supply and price of electricity to Idaho residents, more companies and organizations must step up to the plate to reduce their power consumption." Albertson’s plan calls for stores to dim outside lights by as much as 50 percent and to also reduce in-store lighting, set back thermostats and reduce usage of equipment. "This is a community problem and we all need to come together," Albertson’s spokesperson Jeannette Duwe said. "We live in this community and we use the same power and we share our customers concerns."

Albertson’s officials say the conservation efforts could save about 500 megawatt-hours of energy per day across the four state region. One megawatt can power roughly 1,000 homes. Micron Technology, one of the state’s top five users of electricity, has always monitored its usage carefully. That review is even more critical as power costs rise. "Micron is continually reviewing everything that makes sense from an electricity standpoint — lighting, shutting off computers," Micron spokesman Grant Jones said. "We are always looking at high-efficiency lighting, more efficient equipment, and other efforts that would conserve energy and keep costs down." Simplot, another of Idaho’s top five users, doesn’t have a conservation plan in place, but may move in that direction if costs continue to increase. "We are very dependent on energy," Simplot spokesman Fred Zerza said. "Energy costs have been a factor for us." Peak usage times Idaho Power Co.’s need for electricity is greatest between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. During those peak times, the utility often has to purchase power to cover consumption. Idaho Power officials say conserving power — such as not using dishwashers, dryers and other large appliances — during those times will go a long way toward reducing the utility’s costs, which are ultimately passed on to customers. For more tips on how to conserve energy, visit the Internet at www.idahopower.com. Zerza said the company intends to wait until this spring to see how snowpack plays out and whether or not Idaho Power’s production at its hydroplants will be affected before looking at additional power conservation measures.

Zerza said the company already helps cut back on energy costs during December and January when it idles its potato plants for two to three weeks for maintenance. Kjellander said although the companies can save the greatest amount of power, he stresses that every power user can do their part in saving energy. "If everybody saves a little, we can save a lot," he said.

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-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), January 25, 2001

Answers

quote:<"The California crisis is hitting us too, it’s not just a ripple effect — it’s a tsnumai," Idaho Public Utilities Commissioner Paul Kjellander said.<

My gosh, i guess so! You know, I think that far too many have been thinking that it's only Calif that is and will be having the energy crisis when that is not the fact at all.. Not one of us are immune I say! Thanks for keeping us so informed. I get up every morning and come here to get the news from you and others martin! :) Don't ever stop doing what you all do!

-- Teresa (nowintheknow@thanks.com), January 26, 2001.


I think I have posted a story on the energy crisis for almost every state. Actually it is getting easier to find stories as the media is slowly getting the message that we have a serious problem on our hands.

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), January 26, 2001.

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