Monsees letter: Idaho Power
The Idaho PUC’s job is protecting the state and its utility ratepayers. Idaho Power’s unyielding monopoly controls Treasure Valley’s electricity. Idaho Power’s 20-year plan includes no renewables although their own data say renewables are cheaper than fracked gas. Why? This climate destructive approach exists because there are no green incentives in Idaho Power’s compensation plan for executives. They fear change. Their propaganda comes straight from the oil barons’ ALEC handbook. Idaho Power’s net metering plan now before the PUC is designed to kill rooftop solar, just as Idaho Power was allowed to kill industrial solar and wind.
Why does the PUC yield to Idaho Power’s demands? Is it because our governor, well rewarded by Idaho Power, picks the three PUC members? Idaho Power gave him over $15,000 for his last campaign, plus more to our legislative members than any other Idaho company. Oregon’s PUC has a ratepayer advocate; Idaho’s doesn’t. The Idaho PUC consists of two carefully selected ex-Republican officials, and the third person was a loyal Otter employee. Is she also Republican? Idaho law requires she not be Republican. If our PUC doesn’t do its job in protecting us for the betterment of the Valley and the fragile climate, it is time to clean house.
David Monsees, Boise
This story was originally published September 26, 2017 at 10:59 PM with the headline "Monsees letter: Idaho Power."