Opportunity Knocks... Let's Answer It. 

Yesterday, Idaho Power issued a press release that was published in the Idaho Statesman proposing an 8.5 percent increase in our monthly power bills "citing increased operating costs".  

Idaho Power pushes for rate increase
April 28, 2012

As part of its annual proposed rate adjustment, the state's largest utility is proposing an overall 7.1 percent rate hike for residential customers. That means the average monthly bill would increase $6, from $83 to $89 per month.

The time when people are most receptive to new information, is when something happens to them directly and personally.  A significant increase in electric utility rates hits everybody - directly and personally.  In these hard economic times, an increase in the electric bill like this one provides us with an opportunity to present that new information.  It doesn't matter that this opportunity begins with electric utility rates.  It's the opportunity to talk to people about a subject that is guaranteed to interest them and to introduce them to the subject of Agenda 21 at the same time.  Energy restriction and control is at the heart of Agenda 21 - and the increase in electric rates demonstrates how.  The incentives are misaligned.  Your "reward" for conservation and efficiency is that you will pay more for less - and you have no choice because electric service is essential for all in an advanced country.   To be blunt about it, they've set up a racket.   

Here is an article about electric rate decoupling - and don't be fooled by the time limitations set for the decoupling.  They just extend the date when it expires. 

Utility Decoupling:  Giving Utilities Incentives to Promote Energy Efficiency

The following image is of a paragraph in the 2006 National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency, Page 34 (Adobe):

Idaho Public Utilities Commission Order 30267, Case No. IPC-E-04-15  (initial decoupling order)  

What we found out in Idaho is that it wasn't Idaho Power that was pushing Smart Grid, Smart Meters and "Demand Side Management", it was the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC).  The IPUC is not acting in the interests of the people of Idaho, they are implementing the policies of NARUC - and NARUC is responding to the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) - and NAESB is working with NIST and the Department of Energy (DOE). 

Here is the suggestion for all Tea Party Groups, 9-12, property rights groups, - all groups fighting Agenda 21. 

Rally your members for an all out campaign to reach your neighbors.   Prepare a flyer with the information below and hand it out everywhere - grocery stores, shopping malls, anywhere people are congregated.   The front side should be about the electricity rate increase - the back side about Agenda 21.   It would be great if you could organize public meetings to tell people about Agenda 21 and advertise those meetings on the flyer. 

Ask the people to send a comment about the rate increase to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission.  The comment can be emailed or a letter can be written.  The comment must include the Case Number and their name and address. 

Also, include the name and address of their state legislators - representatives and senators and ask them to send a copy of their comment and/or a letter to them about the out of control costs for essential services.

IPUC Case information on the rate increase:

Case Number:  IPC-E-12-07 
Date Filed:       April 4, 2012

IPUC Case information
 

Here is a sample of a citizen comment on another matter, but it shows the information that should be included:

Sample Comment

If you want to file your comment electronically, use this link:

IPUC Case Comment Form

If you want to write a letter, the following is the address.  All correspondence whether electronic or paper, should include the Case Number:

Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074

This is a golden opportunity - but it is time limited.    

Vicky Davis
April 29, 2012