News Release

Potato Growers Disappointed With Idaho Power’s Opposition of Aquifer Recharge Bill

BLACKFOOT, ID — The Potato Growers of Idaho (PGI) announces its full support of House Bill 800 and is disappointed in Idaho Power’s use of scare tactics to influence customers and legislators. Recent advertisements and letters by the Idaho Power Company have motivated PGI to take a stronger stance to protect the state’s precious water.

Idaho Power is making this issue very public, and is adamant about gaining support any way they can, said Keith Esplin, executive director of PGI. While they are quick to blame H.B. 800 for the recent drop in their credit rating, they should really be blaming themselves. Their tactics only earned them negative publicity, and they shouldn’t be surprised that their credit rating reflects that.

In an effort to counter Idaho Power’s campaign, members of PGI testified before the Senate Resources and Environment Committee, March 27, 2006, at the Idaho State Capitol in favor of H.B. 800. The bill would ultimately restore the full meaning and intent of the Swan Falls Agreement, and allow the state to begin aquifer recharge projects on the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer.

Every well owner, municipalities and industries included, has a vested interest in H.B. 800, said Klaren Koompin, a potato grower from American Falls. We better hope the bill passes the senate and governor because Idaho Power does not have any legal claims to the high water flows as indicated by the Swan Falls Agreement.

Because recent droughts have lowered well levels for potato growers, efforts to restore aquifer levels are important to the industry and the agricultural community as a whole.

At the recent hearing, the comment was made that there are plenty of ways to generate power, but only water can grow crops.

Without water, we do not grow, said Esplin. We are not asking Idaho Power to forego any of their water rights, but they do need to understand that their needs are not a priority over everyone else in the state.

Under the 1984 Swan Falls Agreement, the Idaho Power Company was guaranteed minimum flows, and both sides agreed to put the rest of the water in trusts for future use and development.

Unbeknown to many, during the latter part of the 1994 legislative session, Idaho Power successfully placed hydropower as a higher priority than aquifer recharge as a beneficial use of water during years of water surplus. H.B. 800 will return conditions as they were prior to 1994 under the Swan Falls Agreement.

According to Idaho’s former governor, John Evans, the Idaho Power Company is waging its battle on the public front, because the company is unlikely to win in court.