Energy

Idaho families and businesses need dependable, affordable energy to prosper and thrive. ICL works to ensure Idaho has a sustainable energy policy and is doing its part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And there is room for improvement. 

In the 2012 legislative session, ICL will be urging the Idaho Legislature to adopt policies that promote energy efficiency and invest in a sustainable energy future. Whether offering incentives for energy efficiency upgrades at businesses and homes, or rewarding consumers for making smart energy purchases, energy efficiency policies help create jobs, save Idahoans money, and protect clean air and water.

We engage with the Legislature, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, the Idaho Office of Energy Resources, and electric utilities like Idaho Power, on aggressive energy efficiency programs and clean energy development.

So, how can we reduce power plant pollution yet still meet Idahoans' energy needs? It's a two-step process:

• Reduce our energy demand by increasing our efficiency.
• Replace existing coal-burning power plants with clean energy sources such as wind, sun, and geothermal. These sources can replace much of the power we now import. While Idaho is known for our large hydro dams, we still import about 45% of our electricity from coal-fired plants. We generate another 8% from natural gas. So Idaho is vulnerable to volatile prices and rising costs. Plus, burning these fuels contributes to climate change.