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AROUND THE REGION
MONTANAThe Montana Public Interest Research Group (MontPIRG) and the Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC) joined the National Environmental Trust in releasing a public opinion poll on global warming. The survey found that 59% of Montanans want the United States to take action on global warming. A majority of both women and men in Montana believe global warming exists and that it warrants consideration as a serious problem. Chris Newbold with MontPIRG said, "Climate change is no longer perceived as a theoretical problem." The poll also found Montanans would support their elected representatives in calling for policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to Jeff Barber of MEIC, "Montanans understand the threat climate change poses to the heart of Montana's economy (agriculture and tourism)."
IDAHO
The Idaho Power Company recently filed a request with the Idaho Public Utility Commission (IPUC) to contribute $1.3 million to the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance . Rumors abound that industrial customers of Idaho Power will oppose the request and call on IPUC to limit the utility's NEEA contribution to $1 million. The remaining $300,000 would go to large industrial customers for investment within their own facilities for qualifying energy conservation measures. To their credit, the industrial customers plan to propose that an accountability structure be put in place to ensure these self-directed investments are appropriate.
WASHINGTON
On January 25, Snohomish County PUD (SnoPUD) decided to inform its customers about its fuel mix ahead of any legislation that may pass this session. "We believe it's important to provide this information to consumers, so they have a good baseline of information on the electricity they now use," said Kathleen Vaughn , SnoPUD Commission President. "This both helps them to participate in utility decisions about generation resources and prepares them in the event of consumer choice for electricity suppliers or sources in the future. We hope other utilities will follow our lead." SnoPUD will distribute this information to all of its customers twice a year and will report the percentage of each fuel source on its website (www.snopud.com ). Seattle City Light also has been considering voluntarily disclosing this information to its customers.
OREGON
In a series of settlement meetings in early February PacifiCorp sought to appease angry customer groups who have been trying to stop the utility's recently filed ratecase from moving forward. PacifiCorp's proposal addressed one of the most significant areas of conflict. The company agreed to recalculate its rate proposal using separate costs for distribution, transmission and generation, rather than simply assigning the three functions arbitrary percentages. This proposal met with initial acceptance, but other issues remain unresolved. PacifiCorp's proposed rate hike, an increase in the utility's profit margin, and multiple disputes over other costs and revenue assumptions remain. Customer representatives stand steadfast in pursuing legal motions to throw the whole filing out.
Quote of the Month
"To delay making any politically controversial decisions in the Columbia Basin which the federal government is doing today is going to ensure extinction. . . . It's a decision to walk away from this important resource, and it's a decision to put politics ahead of policy. "
Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber , January 20 to The Oregonian on the Clinton Administration's slow approach to choosing a course of action to restore Columbia and Snake River salmon.