In America, we rely on the rule of law as the basis in our society and to protect us from political and financial influence. In Idaho, two out of the three Idaho Public Utilities Commission commissioners have received campaign funds in the past from Idaho Power or its PACs. In fact, Idaho Power has been the largest donor to Eric Anderson’s past political campaigns as per the site FollowTheMoney.org.

Unfortunately, it seems that the Idaho PUC then votes for whatever Idaho Power wants, against all logic, and just recently against the wishes of Blaine County, as voted on through its P&Z and upheld by county commissioners. It will cost Idaho ratepayers $12 million to underground a transmission line in Ketchum; a $30 million-plus total project cost that won’t provide true redundancy as the lines are side by side, vulnerable to the same fire or ice events. All Idaho citizens should be alarmed that their rates will go up for this boondoggle project. Could it be time that we also look at separating the influence of our monopoly utility company on our Public Utilities Commission?