Customer
Connection
Customer Connection is published monthly
by the Corporate Communications Department.
Comments or questions are welcome; please visit
www.idahopower.com/contactus or write to:
August 2011
Printed on recycled paper.
Corporate Communications
P.O. Box 70
Boise, ID 83707
How To Better Understand Your Bill
Idaho Power works hard to make sure
our customer bills are easy to read
and easy to understand.
One of the best ways to learn more
about your bill and its line items is to
check out our new interactive page
at www.idahopower.com/yourbill.
From the Web page, “Understanding
Your Bill,” move your mouse over
different parts of the bill and see
definitions of terms used. Or click on
the “Bill Glossary” tab at the top.
Did you know when you log in or
register as an Account Manager, you
can view up to 24 months of billing
history and compare them side-byside from the “Billing and Payment
History” page? Stay informed about
your energy use by registering
at www. idahopower.com. Click
“Register Now” in the Account
Manager box.
idahopower.com/yourbill
Common Bill Terms
Service Charge
A flat monthly amount that helps recover some
of the fixed costs of providing electric service,
such as metering and customer services.
Energy Charge
An amount equal to the monthly electricity
usage (kilowatt-hour, or kWh) multiplied by your
energy rates. These rates vary seasonally and
appear on the bill as either a Summer Energy
Charge (June through August) or Non-Summer
Energy Charge (September through May). In
Idaho, there are three energy use increments:
0 to 800 kWh, 801 to 2,000 kWh and 2,000+ kWh.
PCA (Power Cost Adjustment)
This amount reflects annual variations in net
power supply expenses and can be either a credit
or a surcharge depending on related expenses
incurred by the company.
Energy Efficiency Services
This amount is the combination of two billing
components:
• Energy Efficiency Rider (in place since 2002)
is 4.75 percent of each customer’s monthly electric bill and provides the funds used for customer energy efficiency programs and education.
• Fixed Cost Adjustment (FCA, in place since
2007) applies to residential and small general
service customers only. It helps the company
recover fixed costs when a customer reduces
their energy use through energy efficiency
programs.
Our Residential Rates Rank Lowest In The West
Idaho Power ranks in the top 7 percent
of lowest monthly bills for residential
electric service and the lowest in
the western region according to the
January Edison Electric Institute (EEI)
nationwide survey.
The survey showed on average, our
residential customers pay $78.40 for
1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity.
That is a decrease from $84.94
reported in the July 2010 survey. The
most expensive service last winter
was $269.73 per month in Honolulu,
Hawaii. The least expensive was $76.69
in Grand Forks, N.D.
This semiannual rate-comparison survey
looks at average rates paid by residential,
commercial and industrial customers
from 176 investor-owned utilities
nationally. EEI is an association of U.S.
investor-owned electric companies.
Nationwide rates vary largely due to
the resources utilities use to generate
electricity. Our hydropower base
contributes to our relatively low prices;
however, much depends on availability
of water in the river.
Our commitment is to provide
customers reliable, responsible,
fair-priced energy service, today and
tomorrow. To meet current demand
and future growth, we need a balanced
generation portfolio, including natural
gas, solar and wind power. Not all of
these resources are as cost-effective
as hydro. Significant investment in
transmission infrastructure also is
needed to ensure our energy future.
idahopower.com/AboutUs/RatesRank
Demonstrating The
Power Of The Sun
Watching a solar panel work is like
watching grass grow—not much
activity on the outside, but a lot going
on inside. Just ask Renewable Energy
Specialist Scott Gates. He’s one of
Idaho Power’s most knowledgeable
experts on solar technology.
Throughout the year you can find
him in schools, neighborhoods or at
community events demonstrating
how solar energy works.
“It’s important to see this technology
in action,” said Scott. “People don’t
usually get that close to solar panels,
so taking this exhibit to local events
offers an opportunity to touch them,
see what they look like and how
they work.”
When the solar trailer is set up at
an event and providing power for a
stage performance, you can easily
view instruments tracking the power
fluctuation—what’s being generated
and how much is being used.
A Sunny Tidbit
Solar power works well in southwest
Idaho and southeast Oregon.
The sun produces energy during
hot summer months and in the
afternoon when customers in our
region need a lot of electricity for
running irrigation pumps and air
conditioning.
Renewable Energy Specialist Scott Gates shared a solar panel display at
the Boise Rec Fest in June.
From The Electric Kitchen
t
Peach Melba Yogurt Parfait
Dessert
1 ½ cups Greek style honey yogurt
1 ½ cups nonfat plain yogurt
3 large fresh peaches, pitted & cut into bite-size pieces
1 ½ cups fresh raspberries
¹∕³ cup sliced almonds, toasted
Dietary information per serving:
Calories: 190
Protein: 6g
Carbohydrates: 26g
Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 12mg
Sodium: 56mg
Fiber: 4g
In a medium bowl, stir together honey yogurt and plain yogurt until smooth.
Spoon ½ cup fresh peaches into six parfait glasses or champagne flutes.
Top each with ¼ cup yogurt mixture and ¼ cup raspberries. Add a top layer of
¼ cup yogurt mixture.
Garnish each with 1 tablespoon sliced almonds.
Servings: 6; each with ½ cup yogurt, ½ cup peaches, ¼ cup berries, 1 tablespoon almonds.
Recipes are selected for nutritional value and low energy use in preparation. They are approved by
Joanne Graff, certified health educator from the Central District Health Department in Boise, Idaho.