In Idaho, birds of prey (or raptors) are a common sight throughout the region and our company’s service area. Over 40 years ago, Idaho Power recognized these birds’ importance to our environment, and the importance of protecting them. Today, raptors are thriving. Our company’s vision, combined with one man’s lifelong dedication to raptor protection, has contributed much to their success. See our Protecting Raptors page to learn more.

Idaho Power takes actions to manage the risks of cyber threats and vulnerabilities to protect its network from cyber attacks, carefully steward data, and protect the reliability of the electric grid.

The CDP collects and manages the largest global collection of self-reported climate change, water and forest-risk data. Please refer to the CDP website to access our annual responses.

Child Labor

IDACORP and Idaho Power have no children in their respective work forces. Idaho Power restricts hiring anyone under the age of 18 for safety-sensitive or Commercial Driver’s License-required positions. Idaho Power and IDACORP have no employees under the age of 18.

Human Rights

IDACORP has strong policies in place that promote a diverse workforce, a respectful workplace environment and protect against harassment. IDACORP expects contractors to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, those pertaining to environmental, safety, employment, human rights, and child labor laws.

The company makes employment decisions (including apprenticeship training) without regard to race; color; religion; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; pregnancy; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; protected veteran status and/or military service; or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Equal employment opportunity (EEO) is an integral part of IPC’s operating philosophy, and IPC’s management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring; placement; promotion; transfer; demotion; layoff; termination; recruitment advertising; pay; and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during employment.

Idaho Power’s Investment Recovery department analyzes obsolete assets to reduce waste generation and waste disposal costs. Items not deemed reusable by the company are either re-purposed or
recycled for revenue, when possible.

*As of June 2019, we recycle batteries for revenue.

Used Transformer Recycling and Reuse

Transtest receives the used distribution transformers after they have been removed from service. Material handlers do a preliminary check to see if the units can be refurbished. The units that can be refurbished are saved, and the units that are not are drained of oil and sent to Investment Recovery for recycling. The oil from each transformer is checked to ensure it contains less than 1 parts per million (ppm) of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). The used oil goes into the recovery tank and is treated with Ethanox and circulated through the Vacudyne system to remove any moisture. After treatment, it is tested for the dielectric properties to ensure it is within specification of 32 to 50 kilovolt-amperes (kVa). This process allows Idaho Power to reuse transformers and oil instead of disposing of the transformers and replacing with new. Ensuring maximum use of the product means less waste and a cost savings to Idaho Power customers.

The complexity of campaign finance laws and regulations was heightened by the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which opened new pathways for
political activity for certain organizations. Under that decision, as an example, certain organizations (including corporations) now have the right to use their general treasury funds for campaign ads that directly support or oppose federal candidates, as long as those ads are not directly coordinated with a candidate’s campaign. However, it is the policy of IDACORP and Idaho Power that general treasury funds not be used to directly support or oppose federal candidates. IDACORP’s and Idaho Power’s other political expenditures are publicly disclosed in various state and federal filings.

Safety is a core value at Idaho Power. The company’s goal is to maintain an injury-free work environment and to protect the safety of its employees, customers and the public. Safety is each employee’s responsibility and is always more important than the work being performed.

All employees are required to comply with the company’s safety policy and standards. Specifically, employees are expected to adhere to the following:

• Comply with applicable safety rules, laws and regulations, including those of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
• Comply with the provisions of the company’s Safety Standards.
• Stop work and question unforeseen hazards.
• Speak up to their leader or the employee in charge when safety issues arise.
• Report willful or repeated violations of the company’s safety policies and report general disregard for established safe work practices or employee or public safety.

The company maintains an Executive Safety Committee to ensure implementation of these safety policies and to assess and update them as needed.

Idaho Power manages damaged power poles, replacement parts and obsolete equipment and other waste in accordance with local, state and federal regulations. In the case of a distribution pole damaged by a vehicle or weather, the pole is replaced and the damaged pole, with its equipment (transformer, insulators, switches, etc.), is transported to our Investment Recovery facility in Boise. We then assess the parts for repair and/or reuse. In the case of the wooden pole, we cut it to dimensions more usable by the general public, who can acquire such assets when available.

We also recycle transformer oil, reducing waste, saving costs and promoting reuse of transformers.