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Planning for the future, Idaho Power to host public meeting about energy needs
Idaho Power customers are invited to attend a virtual meeting Aug. 15 to learn about the utility company’s plan to provide additional electricity over the next 20 years. Known as the Integrated Resource Plan, Idaho Power updates the plan every two years to discuss resources that will meet the company’s future energy needs while balancing […]
North Idaho water users could see rate increase soon. Here’s how to find out more.
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission is hosting a virtual workshop Aug. 15 to share information about a possible increase in rates for Kootenai Heights Water System. The Bonner County utility submitted an application to the utilities commission in March to increase its residential flat rate for its customers from $38.50 per month to $57.65 per […]
Idaho’s water supply is declining. Officials discuss challenges at state summit.
Water experts and public officials across the state presented challenges, success stories and solutions regarding Idaho’s water supply at the Governor’s Water Summit on Monday at the Idaho Capitol in Boise. Officials recognized that water levels in Idaho are in decline, and some of the main challenges they discussed at the summit include population growth, […]
Tech companies look to set example by providing clean energy to Idaho Power’s grid
Some state governments set their own ambitious clean energy goals far into the future, but Idaho typically defers its energy goals to the private sector. While the Gem State is a leading figure in the U.S. in renewable energy because of its hydropower production — Idaho is one of the only Western states that does […]
Have questions about Idaho Power’s 8.6% rate increase? Utilities commission to host workshops on proposal
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission is hosting virtual workshops Aug. 14 and 15 to share information about Idaho Power’s application to increase rates for electric services. If approved by the utilities commission, Idaho Power will increase its overall rates by 8.6 percent. The online workshops will be hosted by commission staff who will present an […]
Idaho voter groups remain determined to halt new registration law
A lawyer for Boise-based Babe Vote and the League of Women Voters Idaho argued at a court hearing Friday that a new law passed in the 2023 legislative session is making it harder for voting advocacy groups to register voters. Meanwhile, the defense argued that the new law is constitutional, and it makes the registration […]
Power line electrocutions are no longer biggest threat to Idaho birds, Boise State study shows
Illegal shooting along power lines is the leading cause of death for many protected bird species in Idaho and its neighboring states, according to new research from Boise State University. Eve Thomason, the lead author of the study and a recent graduate of BSU’s raptor biology master’s program, partnered with private, state and federal agencies […]
New INL technology can help support rural Idaho communities during power outages
Though it appears to be a shipping container on the outside, Idaho National Laboratory’s latest technology — Microgrid in a Box — can help rural communities maintain power during emergencies. On July 21, the INL celebrated the ribbon cutting of its new microgrid project, which was deployed in partnership with the Fall River Electric Cooperative […]
New report shows what is working well for Idaho’s prisoner reentry programs, and what isn’t
A staffing shortage and hampered transition services are some of the main obstacles the Idaho Department of Correction must overcome to improve the reentry experience for formerly incarcerated individuals, according to a legislative report released this month. But aside from those obstacles, some state programs seem to be working well, according to the report — […]
Famous…Oregon potatoes? Nah. Idaho stats show which state reigns spud supreme
Let’s make one thing clear: Idaho is the undisputed OG spud state. And public officials say Idaho’s reputation as the potato state won’t fade — even if in June, the Oregon Legislature adopted a resolution to make the potato its state vegetable. After the resolution passed, some Idahoans took to social media to share their […]
Families of transgender youth file new motion in Idaho gender care lawsuit
The families of two transgender teens, who are suing Idaho officials in federal court over a new law that would ban transgender youth from accessing gender-affirming care, have made a new motion in the lawsuit. On Friday, the families filed for a preliminary injunction — a move that asks the court to prevent the ban […]
New debt relief plan will forgive federal student loans for 5,000 Idahoans
More than 5,000 Idahoans can expect to see their federal student loans forgiven in the coming weeks, according to a Tuesday press release from the U.S. Department of Education. On Friday, the Department of Education and the White House announced that it will provide $39 billion in automatic loan relief to 804,000 federal student loan […]