BY ROCKY BARKER - 05/21/09
http://www.idahostatesman.com/localnews/story/777839.html?story_link=email_msg
Even supporters of a resolution urging Idaho Power to reduce greenhouse gases were surprised when shareholders approved it with a 52 percent majority Thursday at the company’s annual meeting.
The resolution asked Idaho Power to adopt specific goals — by Sept. 30 — for reducing the gases that scientists say contribute to climate change.
No matter how the company responds, electric rates are expected to rise. . .
LaMont Keen, president and CEO of Idaho Power said he and the board got the message.
“The company takes this vote seriously and will consider adopting quantitative goals this year,” Keen said.
Idaho Power has been hoping to wait for federal legislation that would make it more expensive to generate power with fossil fuels, especially coal. It also doesn’t want to invest too quickly in intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar until the federal government establishing standards for how much renewable energy the company must have.
“We have a big base of customers who don’t want us to raise our rates,” Keen said. “Anything we do is more expensive.”
Except, that is, for improving energy efficiency.
Both the shareholder groups and Idaho Power agree that the cheapest way to meet future demand is to reduce the amount of electricity customers use. This will lower power bills and keep the company from building new power plants, which also increases customer costs.
. . . Rich Rayhill, a wind developer and a stockholder, told Keen that if Idaho Power waits for federal action, it risks losing access to new renewable sources as others rush to buy the best locations for wind, solar and geothermal plants. . .
