Sign up for the Energy Watch Program
Energy Watch FAQs
Advanced Meter Reading (AMR)

2008 Energy Watch dates

Energy Watch is an optional program that will help reduce demands on our electric system during critical times this summer. During a few hours on weekdays each summer, high demand for electricity by all customers can happen at the same time. As a result, Idaho Power’s cost of supplying electricity under these circumstances becomes very high. If some customers volunteer to use less energy during these high-demand periods, they can help everyone. We’re offering our Emmett Valley customers the opportunity to help reduce electricity demand during these peak demand periods.

How Does it Work?
Participating in Energy Watch means that you’ll pay the same low rate for electricity for the majority of the summer, 5.8 cents per kWh. In return, Energy Watch requires that during a four-hour block of time for no more than 10 days this summer (between June 15 and August 15), the rate you pay will be considerably higher. These four-hour blocks are called Energy Watch hours.

Participants will be notified by phone and/or e-mail by 4 p.m. the day before Energy Watch hours are scheduled to begin. For example, Energy Watch hours will be implemented when the demand for electricity is very high and the energy supply becomes limited. On a day when Energy Watch hours are in effect, participants would be asked to use as little electricity as possible between 5 and 9 p.m. This may mean grilling outdoors instead of using your stovetop. It could also be as simple as waiting until after 9 p.m. to do laundry or run your dishwasher.

On these 10 days, from 5 to 9 p.m., participants’ energy will be very expensive—more than 20 cents per kWh—or about four times the normal rate. This rate is in effect only for the duration of that four-hour block; after that, your electricity use is once again billed at the lowest rate.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)? Learn more about the Time-of-Day or A/C Cool Credit programs.