The Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC) has temporarily suspended the Irrigation Peak Rewards program for the 2013 irrigation season.

Collaborative workshops with customers and other stakeholders will be held to determine the future of this program. Workshops are anticipated to start in June; the schedule will be available at www.idahopower.com/irrigation as soon as dates become known.

Idaho Power’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) describes the company’s projected need for additional electricity and the resources necessary to meet that need while balancing reliability, environmental responsibility, and cost. The plan is developed with the assistance of our customers, and is reviewed and updated every two years.

When the 2011 IRP was developed, as well as in previous years, there was a definite need for the demand reduction that the Irrigation Peak Rewards program provides. The 2013 IRP is under development, and the forecasts (PDF) show the company does not foresee any peak-hour deficits until 2016.

Temporary Program Changes (for active 2012 program participants):

1. The program will be suspended for 2013. The load control device(s) connected to your irrigation pump panel(s) will not turn your pumps off at any time during the summer of 2013.
2. If a service location actively participated in one of the Dispatch Options in 2012 AND the name on the account has not changed, it will qualify for a continuity payment of $2.27 per kilowatt (kW) billing demand, prorated for the billing cycles falling within the program season from June 15 to Aug. 15.
3. If a service location actively participated in Timer Option 1, 2 or 3 AND the name on the account has not changed, your continuity payment will be $0.54, $0.94, $1.33 per kW billing demand respectively, prorated for the billing cycles falling within the program season from June 15 to Aug. 15.
4. The load control device will remain in place and set to “Inactive” in 2013 unless you specifically request that it be removed. Future participation in the program may be based on whether the device has been left in place.

For more information on these changes view the Schedule 23 Irrigation Peak Rewards program tariff (PDF).

Trained Experts

Idaho Power agriculture representatives are available to answer your questions and provide information for this summer’s program.