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Doug Bechtel
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Let me continue the discussion on conservation that we started in the last OPALCOGRAM.
I think the current BPA programs of large cash payments to our members for conservation to encourage them to do what makes good sense are a thing of the past. If I understand what you are telling me, you want us to have conser-vation programs but you don't want large rate increases to pay for these programs. I think we can ac-complish this. Our members are special people and are different than other utilities' customers. More than any place else in the northwest, our mem-bers have a real commitment to the environment. I believe that if we show our members that one of our conservation programs makes economic sense and protects the environment, they will take advantage of the program without large cash bribes.
It is too early to say what any of our programs will look like, but let me give you an example of the kinds of programs we are con-sidering. Under the existing residential weatherization program we (BPA) pay 60% of the cost to weatherize your home, and the homeowner pays 40%. I would like to see this program changed so that the homeowner pays 100% of the cost to weatherize their home. I understand that OPALCO may need to loan the homeowner the money to do the work, but the homeowner should be able to repay the loan over five years strictly through lower electric bills. If the conser-vation measure won't pay for itself within five years, we won't do it. Seems to make sense to me. What do you think? Our Super Good Cents Program pays a new home builder $1500 for building a home 20% more energy efficient than required by code. Unfortunately, the requirements of the SGC program are so difficult that over 90% of the people drop out of the program before their home is certified. We need to concentrate on this 90% to make their homes as efficient as they want. I don't think it is necessary for OPALCO to pay these people thousands of dollars. Rather, I see our role as one of doing the comparative analyses and advising the homeowner what construction techniques, construction materials, and energy efficient appliances are available, the costs associated with installing them and the length of time before the improvement will pay for itself. I think we can provide a useful, reliable service to our members without an unreasonable cost burden on the rest of the OPALCO members.
The important thing to remember is that all of our conservation programs are going to change dramatically on October 1, 1995. That is the first day of the "new Bonneville". If you are in one of our conservation programs and you haven't finished and gotten a check by September 30, 1995, you will be too late. The new programs will be in effect and you will have to meet their guidelines. I know that our members need some advance time to plan their conservation activities, and we hope to have a decision on what our new conservation program will look like to share with you in the spring of 1995. In the meantime, if you have any suggestions or ideas about what our conservation programs should look like in the future, make sure you let us know. Next time we will discuss our current conservation programs for those who want to take advantage of them.
Doug Bechtel
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