Idaho
Hydropower is key in making Idaho electricity rates low – Local News 8
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – While natural gas heating costs are up for Idaho, the state’s electricity prices are still among the nation’s lowest, largely due to inexpensive hydropower.
A recent study says Idaho has the highest increases in winter heating prices, at almost 72% over a four-year period. A recent study from thisoldhouse.com says Idaho has the highest increases in winter heating prices, at almost 72% over four years.
The study says winter heating costs from each state were determined by examining natural gas consumption and gas prices in each state. According to the study, Western states have the highest widespread use of natural gas for heating.
The study does not mention Idaho’s low electricity rates, with the third lowest average electricity prices in the country. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says part of this is due to “relatively inexpensive hydropower,” making up 51% of Idaho’s power generation in 2022.
“Hydro is inexpensive in the most basic of terms because you’re using falling water to generate electricity through hydroelectric dams, so your fuel source is free,” said Douglas Johnson, media relations for Bonneville Power Administration.
Johnson said there are about 140 utilities that Bonneville Power Administration sells to throughout the Pacific Northwest.
“We can sell that through spot markets to other entities in the Northwest and other entities throughout the Western interconnection, which is another way that we keep rates low is by selling that to other entities. Again, we’re a Federal nonprofit, so every dollar we make goes back into keeping rates low rather than providing money to shareholders or other parties.”
Idaho Falls Power is one of the utilities Bonneville Power Administration sells electricity to.
While Idaho Falls Power purchases electricity from the Bonneville Power Administration through long-term contracts, the city says it can produce some inexpensive hydropower of its own. Idaho Falls Power owns and operates five hydroelectric projects along the Snake River.
Overall, hydroelectric production accounts for 85.96% of the City’s electric requirements, and the case for hydropower is reflected in electric costs. The City of Idaho Falls says they can keep prices around 6.9 cents a kilowatt-hour, while the national average electricity rate is 23 cents per kilowatt-hour.
On Saturday, the United States and Israel launched major strikes in Tehran, with President Trump calling for an Iranian regime change.
RELATED | Trump announces ‘major combat operations’ in Iran, reportedly killing hundreds
President Trump authorized the U.S military operation without congressional approval, a decision that Democrats in Congress are arguing is unconstitutional.
RELATED | Trump’s Iran attack raises legal concerns among Democrats in Congress
Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea says Democrats are “demanding answers and accountability on behalf of the American people, who are being dragged toward another open-ended war they do not support.”
Necochea says her greatest concern lies with American troops, contractors and civilians who she says “did not choose this conflict.”
“Idaho has thousands of active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, and military families who live with the consequences when leaders make reckless choices,” she says.
However, not all lawmakers share Necochea’s sentiments.
Idaho Republican representative Mike Simpson commends President Trump’s “decisive action” in Iran.
Idaho News 6
“Iran was given every opportunity to resolve this peacefully through negotiations but chose not to,” Simpson said in a post to Facebook. “I commend President Trump for taking decisive action against a regime responsible for decades of terror. May God protect our men and women in uniform on this vital mission.”
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Nearly two-thirds of Idaho voters approved Medicaid expansion, but local leaders say that coverage is now at risk.
According to the organizers of a town hall set for Saturday, February 28, proposed changes could severely impact Idaho’s rural hospitals and leave thousands of residents without access to healthcare.
The town hall, titled “Protecting What Works: Medicaid Expansion in Idaho,” will take place at Chubbuck City Hall from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
A panel of representatives from across the healthcare sector — including home health, hospitals, and public and community health — will answer questions about how Medicaid expansion works in Idaho and how potential cuts could affect communities. Organizers say there will also be time for audience questions.
One of the event organizers told Local News 8 why the discussion is important:
“There have been conversations in the last couple of legislative sessions about either fully repealing Medicaid expansion or making significant cuts to Medicaid,” Shantay Boxham, the organizer, said. “This is an educational forum to ensure voters and community members have the information they need about what the program is, what’s at stake, and how it supports Idaho and Idahoans.”
There are limited seats available for the meeting. To reserve a spot, visit members.pocatello.com.
Local News 8 will continue to follow this story and have updates tomorrow.
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