Utility company projects often mean one thing for consumers: Higher rates.  Yet in most cases, consumers have no idea of the impact the project could have on their monthly bills until it’s too late.   That may soon change in Idaho and consumers could be armed with better information to fight unfair rate hikes.  AARP Idaho announced its support for the move.

A new bill, House Bill 554, introduced at the Idaho statehouse calls for utility companies to disclose the projected costs of major investments up front, so the public would know how much monthly bills could be affected.  The effort to “shine the light” on Idaho electric companies’ expenditures is being sponsored by Representative Marc Gibbs (R-Grace) and could provide consumers with a better glimpse into the murky waters of rate hikes and a stronger chance to fight them.

AARP is supporting the legislation because it would include the projected cost to consumers as a consideration when utilities plan for major expenditures.

“On the heels of recent electric rate hikes across Idaho, consumers, particularly those on limited incomes such as the 50+, are struggling and quite frankly a bit upset that their electric bills keep climbing,” said Angela Cortez, Interim State Director for AARP in Idaho. “Right now it seems utility companies hold all the cards when it comes to information on their projects that’ll cause rates to climb. This changes the game a bit in favor of the consumer and that’s the right move.  AARP commends Rep. Gibbs for moving this issue forward.”

The legislation will require the electric company to fully disclose the anticipated impact of large capital expenditures on rates during the planning process, as opposed to afterwards.  By providing the information upfront, the measure would better allow the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to make informed decisions during the planning process, and give consumers a better opportunity to evaluate projects that could result in future  rate hikes.

“At the end of the day utility issues come down to what effect they’ll have on Idahoans kitchen table economies, and AARP stands in support of efforts to ensure rate hikes are fair and justified,” Cortez said. “AARP will work with other stakeholders on this issue, including the PUC utilities and other customer groups, to ensure this legislation is as strong as it needs to be to level the playing field for all Idaho consumers.”

AARP Idaho also is gearing up for another utility issue fight over the creation of a utility consumer advocate office to represent consumers in utility rate hike and regulatory cases. Idaho is currently the only state in the West (and one of a handful nationwide) lacking such an office.  With more than 40 percent of the state’s 50+ reporting difficulty paying their utility bills, this issue is AARP Idaho’s top legislative priority.

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A recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Whirlpool Corporation reveals consumers want to make a habit out of saving time, money and energy with their home appliances. And as 2011 wraps up, they’re looking for more tools to help them do just that in the new year.

According to the survey 75% of consumers aged 18-34 have already taken ‘green’ steps, but they are looking to do even more to save energy, water and money. That’s something companies such as Whirlpool say they’re keeping in mind when it comes to product development.

“We are not surprised to see that consumers are devoted to living an energy-efficient lifestyle,” says Monica Teague, Senior PR Manager at Whirlpool Corporation. “Whirlpool is constantly innovating new products that conserve water and reduce energy consumption in order to help consumers live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.”

It’s a lifestyle many want and to which they are turning. And while 78% are interested in monitoring their household’s energy use – they’re hungry for more information on how to save. According to the survey, a quarter of those interested in saving are not at all aware of the energy and water usage of their appliances.

Many consumers have already made significant lifestyle changes in an effort to save energy and money. 65% of consumers already use ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and CFL light bulbs, 36% purchase green products when possible and 15% actually seek out green products, according to the survey.

And consumers seem willing to invest in saving money over time. Almost half of those who took part in the survey, 49%, said they would consider paying more money for an appliance if it would reduce their utility bills over time. Replacing appliances that were made before 2000 with ENERGY STAR qualified products can help save on both energy and water costs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), replacing a washer and refrigerator made before 2000 with such models can save up to $135 and $40 each year, respectively.

For those not currently in the market but still looking to save, there are plenty of ways for consumers to be more efficient using the appliances they already have in their home.

• According to the survey, 87% still pre-rinse their dishes (even though it’s unnecessary). By scraping and skipping pre-rinsing, consumers can save up to 20 gallons of water per load and by using the dishwasher, vs. hand-washing, save up to 230 hours per year (that’s a 10-day vacation!).
• Run your dishwasher, washer and dryer late in the evening to avoid the peak hours.
• Proper appliance maintenance like emptying the lint trap, vacuuming refrigerator coils and cleaning your washer on a regular basis can help keep appliances running efficiently.
• Use pots and pans with flat bottoms that fit the burners. A 6″ pot on an 8″ burner wastes over 40 percent of that burner’s heat. Using the right-sized pot can save up to $36 annually for an electric range, and $18 for a gas range.
• Don’t open the oven door during cooking; each time you open the door, you can lose about 25 – 30 degrees of heat. Try cooking with a full oven too, and using the broiler when possible, which uses less energy and does not require preheating.

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