Boise, Idaho-J.R. Simplot’s phosphorus processing plant at Pocatello won’t be facing a 20 percent increase in its power bills thanks to negotiations between customer groups and interveners with supplier Idaho Power, according to utility officials. The rates, after approval by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, will involve a more palatable 5.65 percent, reported utility spokesman Dennis Lopez. But that amount is on top of an Idaho power rate increase only a year ago of a little over 8 percent, Lopez added. This time, Idaho Power proposed an increase in power rates last June in the double-digit area but came to terms recently after complaints were raised by farmland irrigators and others. The 5.65 percent increase will affect large industrial as well as commercial customers. Lopez said Simplot’s Smoky Canyon mine near the Idaho-Wyoming border and Agrium’s Conda Phosphate Operations located in Soda Springs won’t be affected because they are not Idaho Power customers.
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain