(Stand Up for Idaho, October 20, 2025)
Our neighbors in southern Idaho need our help.
Although Idaho Power is located in the southern part of Idaho, what they do has implications across the state, either directly or by setting precedence. For example, it became very obvious over the last couple of years how Idaho Power can influence water usage in east Idaho, even to the extent of curtailing water to east Idaho farms.
So, what is Idaho Power up to now? They want to build what they call the Southwest Intertie Project-North (SWIP-North) line. Here’s a link to their website: https://www.idahopower.com/energy-environment/energy/planning-and-electrical-projects/current-projects/swip-north/
Idaho Power’s website says the “… project that will help Idaho Power meet customers’ growing needs by importing energy from the Desert Southwest. It is a low-cost option for covering peak energy demand, especially during cold winter days.” What it doesn’t say is that the line also enables Idaho Power to ‘export’ power out of the state, potentially enabling them to profit at the expense of Idahoans.
My understanding is that Idaho Power is seeking approval to have Idaho ratepayers essentially ‘underwrite’ the project so Idaho Power can recoup project costs if the project fails, or even if one of the other participating companies (e.g. California Independent System Operator – CAISO) leave the project. This puts the burden of the project directly on Idaho ratepayers.
We need to remember that Idaho Power is a private ‘for profit’ company, NOT a government entity. If Idaho Power wants to do something to increase their profits, they should bear the associated risks. Idaho ratepayers underwriting the project eliminates all risk to Idaho Power.
One comment from the Idaho Irrigation Pumpers Association on the project states:
“Risk of cancellation. Hidden Valley Organic concurs with the Idaho Irrigation Pumpers Association affidavit in this proceeding which identified significant risks to Idaho ratepayers, including an over reliance on CAISO’s control of SWIP-N:
If CAISO reduces its usage or withdraws from the project, the Company [Idaho Power] could potentially have issues recovering the fixed costs of the SWIP- N line, potentially leading to stranded capacity and higher per-unit transmission costs for remaining ratepayers. There are also endemic market and regulatory risks: CAISO operates within a dynamic regulatory environment, so changes to market rules, transmission tariffs, or resource adequacy requirements could significantly impact its need for SWIP-N capacity. This leads to exposure for the Company to potentially volatile cash flows if CAISO’ s transmission requirements change over time. Furthermore, if CAISO exits the project, the Company [Idaho Power] would be forced to find replacement tenants at potentially lower rates or absorb the financial impact itself, further increasing costs for ratepayers. [1]”
How can we help?
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has scheduled an online workshop to share information, and a customer hearing to take testimony on an application from Idaho Power to receive a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for the SWIP-N project (IPC-E-25-08). (https://puc.idaho.gov/Fileroom/PublicFiles/Press/20251009Idaho%20Power%20CPCN%20Release.pdf.pdf)
I know this is short notice, but if you can, please log into an online workshop TODAY, Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 6:00pm and/or, if possible, attend the in-person hearing this Thursday, Oct. 23 in Twin Falls. Information for the workshop and hearing are below:
Online workshop: The online workshop will be Tuesday, Oct. 21. Commission staff will present an overview of Idaho Power’s application and answer questions about the application. It will begin at 6:00 p.m. (MDT) and conclude at 9:00 p.m. or after all customer questions have been answered, whichever comes first. To participate online, please visit idahogov.webex.com and enter meeting number 2634 094 2860. Next, click on the green “Join” button. At the next window, please enter this password: Commission. Then click on the green “Join Webinar” button. At the next window, please enter your name and e-mail address and click on the “Next” button. Then click on the green “Join Webinar” button. To participate over the phone, please call 1-415-655-0001 and enter meeting number 2634 094 2860 when prompted.
In person-customer hearing. The customer hearing will be held on Thursday, Oct. 23, to take testimony for the record. It will begin at 4:00 p.m. (MDT) and conclude at 7:00 p.m. or after all testimony has been received, whichever comes first. It will be held at the American Legion, 447 Seastrom St., Twin Falls, ID 83301. Those planning on testifying are encouraged to arrive at the American Legion by 3:45 p.m. as the hearing will conclude when it appears all testimony has been received. In-person attendance is required to submit testimony. Those interested in listening to the hearing remotely can call 1-415-655-0001 and enter meeting number 2634 997 4454 when prompted.
We need to stand up for each other across Idaho. As I said previously, Idaho Power’s actions have implications across the state, either directly or by setting precedence.
Again, I know this is short notice but we need to get as many people as possible to both the online workshop and public meeting. Please spread the word!
Stand Up For Idaho’s Mission Statement:
We are a nonpartisan, nondenominational, nonprofit organization striving to inform and educate the public on a wide range of topics that affect people’s lives. We advocate for the common good, well-being, and civic betterment of Idaho citizens, and for the rights and liberties guaranteed Idaho citizens by the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Idaho.
