What Idaho Falls Power does

Idaho Falls Power is a municipal electric utility wholly owned by the City of Idaho Falls, Idaho, founded in 1900 and serving as the first city-owned electric plant in Idaho. The utility generates and distributes electricity to residential, commercial, industrial, and high-density-load customers within the corporate city limits of Idaho Falls, operating under a franchise monopoly governed by the locally elected City Council. As a not-for-profit public power entity, it returns value through low rates rather than shareholder returns.

The utility's generation portfolio consists of five hydropower plants along the Snake River — the Bulb Turbine Project (Upper, City, and Lower plants, 8 MW each, totaling 24.6 MW) and the Gem State Plant (22.6 MW), combining for approximately 47.2 MW of owned capacity that produces about one-third of the city's electricity. FY2024 generation totaled 244,824.92 MWh (236,852 MWh hydro, 7,970 MWh wind via a 3.032 MW stake in Horse Butte Wind, and 2.92 MWh solar), and 94.66% of customer load is served from carbon-free resources, with the balance supplied by long-term contracts from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and short-term market purchases.

Revenue is generated through regulated retail electric sales structured as subscription billing across four rate classes (residential, commercial, industrial, high-density load), supplemented by recurring service programs including Certified Clean Energy ($0.003/kWh), security lighting ($20/month), surge protector ($4–$7/month), EV charger leasing ($20/month), and net metering purchases from customer-owned distributed generation. Distribution is delivered through a self-serve online portal, in-person City Utilities office, and phone channels. A wholly-owned subsidiary, Idaho Falls Fiber, extends the utility's footprint into high-speed internet services. Capital planning is shaped by the upcoming FERC relicensing of both hydroelectric projects (current licenses expire January 2029 and 2033), which represents the single most material regulatory variable for the utility's long-term cost structure.

Name

Idaho Falls Power

Legal name

Idaho Falls Power

Website

https://ifpower.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1900

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Idaho Falls Power is a City of Idaho Falls-owned municipal electric utility that has served Idaho Falls residents and businesses since 1900 via five Snake River hydropower plants and BPA power purchases, with a residential rate among the lowest in the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Electric Utility

NAICS

Hydroelectric Power Generation (221111), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112)

SIC

Electric Services (4911), Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)

akta.pro primary industry

Run-of-River Hydroelectric Generation (EUACAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Reservoir/Impoundment Hydroelectric Generation (EUACAEAB), Hydropower Plant Development & Permitting (Greenfield/Brownfield) (EUACAEAE)

Keywords

• Municipal electric utility
• Hydroelectric power generation
• Electric distribution services
• Fiber optic internet
• Net metering programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Idaho Falls

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Retail Electric Sales: Idaho Falls Power generates revenue primarily through retail electric sales to customers in Idaho Falls. This includes residential, commercial, industrial, high density load, and temporary power customers. Revenue is derived from energy charges (per kWh), demand charges (per kW), service charges, and power cost adjustments.
2. Certified Clean Energy Program: Voluntary program where customers pay an additional $0.003 per kWh for certified clean energy. Funds are used to build out clean energy projects like EV charging systems.
3. Security Lighting: Monthly security lighting service at $20 per month including electricity and maintenance.
4. Surge Protector Program: Monthly fees of $4 per residential account and $7 per commercial account for meter socket surge protector installation and maintenance.
5. Net Metering Purchases: Purchase of excess electricity from customers with distributed generation (solar/wind) at fluctuating electric market rates.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Idaho Falls Power is a municipal electric utility that provides retail electricity generation, transmission, and distribution services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers within Idaho Falls city limits. The utility owns and operates five hydroelectric generation plants on the Snake River using bulb turbine technology and supplements capacity with wholesale power purchased from the Bonneville Power Administration. The utility also operates Idaho Falls Fiber, a separate broadband internet service delivered over its owned fiber network.

Product overview

Idaho Falls Power is a municipal electric utility providing electricity services to the city of Idaho Falls, Idaho. The company operates a portfolio of five hydropower plants along the Snake River and purchases additional power from the Bonneville Power Administration. Beyond core electricity generation and distribution, the utility offers an integrated suite of products and services including Idaho Falls Fiber (high-speed fiber optic internet), Certified Clean Energy (voluntary renewable energy program), Distributed Generation/Net Metering (for customer-owned solar/wind systems), Energy Efficiency Programs (rebates and loans), Security Lighting, Electric Vehicle Programs (commercial charger leasing and public charging), Surge Protector Program, Vegetation Management, and billing services. The utility also maintains Snake River recreation facilities and offers community programs including hydroelectric plant tours and youth scholarships. All services are consolidated through the City of Idaho Falls for coordinated utility management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Certified Clean Energy: A program that allows customers to purchase clean energy from Idaho Falls Power's hydropower facilities certified by WREGIS (Western Renewable Energy Generation Information System) at $0.003 per kWh.

Products and services

• Electric Utility Service Retail electricity generation, transmission, and distribution service for residential, commercial, and industrial customers within Idaho Falls city limits, supplied from five hydroelectric plants and Bonneville Power Administration purchases.
• Idaho Falls Fiber High-speed fiber optic broadband internet service for residential and business customers, delivered over the municipal utility's owned fiber optic network.
• Certified Clean Energy / Net Metering Program Distributed generation interconnection and net metering program enabling customers to install customer-owned renewable generation (such as solar) and offset their electricity usage with credits on their utility bills.
• Security Lighting Service Subscription-based outdoor security lighting service installed and maintained by the utility for residential and commercial customers.
• Surge Protector Program Subscription-based surge protection program that provides surge protection equipment and service to residential and commercial customers to protect electrical equipment from surges originating on the utility side.
• Electric Vehicle Programs Electric vehicle charging and rate programs supporting residential and commercial EV adoption, including EV charging equipment and special EV rates where applicable.
• Energy Efficiency Programs Utility-administered energy efficiency programs offering rebates, audits, and incentives to residential and commercial customers to reduce electricity consumption.

Quantifiable outcome

• Residential rate 6.75 cents/kWh saves customers vs Idaho average of 10.2 cents
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBPA is a federal nonprofit agency that markets wholesale electrical power from 31 federal hydro projects in the Columbia River Basin. Idaho Falls Power purchases the bulk of its electricity from BPA, with about one-third of electric power used in Idaho Falls coming from BPA. About 15% of energy charges on IFP bills are earmarked for fish and wildlife mitigation efforts.
• Idaho Falls FibercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIdaho Falls Fiber is a city-owned fiber optic network that delivers high-speed internet for homes and businesses. Idaho Falls Power offers this service alongside electricity, providing bundled utility services. The fiber network is the largest open-access fiber network in Idaho.
• Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership (EICAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFP partners with EICAP to offer Project Help, a program that helps qualified families pay utility bills. EICAP administers assistance for households with income less than 150% of federal poverty level. EICAP also distributes utility bill round-up donations.
• Idaho Consumer-Owned Utilities Association (ICUA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFP is a leading sponsor of ICUA's annual Youth Rally, a leadership program for youth from multiple states. IFP covers all expenses for local high school students to attend and provides $500 scholarships to selected participants.
• Horse Butte Wind FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFP has a purchase agreement with UAMPS for 3.032 MW (5.26% of output) of the Horse Butte Wind Farm, located 15 miles east of Idaho Falls. The 32 wind turbines went online in August 2012.
• Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUAMPS is a joint action agency that provides power supply resources to member communities. IFP participates in UAMPS for additional power resources and received their System Improvement Award in 2025.
• City of Idaho Falls (Various Departments)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFP collaborates with other City departments including Wastewater Treatment Plant for energy efficiency programs. Partnership with Parks and Recreation for Riverwalk maintenance and recreation facilities. All utility services consolidated through City Hall.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Bonneville Power Administration (BPA):
• Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS): UAMPS is a joint action agency providing power supply resources to municipal utilities across the West, including Idaho Falls Power. Directly comparable as a peer organization and partner — UAMPS provides pooled generation resources (including Horse Butte Wind) that smaller municipal utilities like IFP participate in.

Broad incumbents

• Rocky Mountain Power (PacifiCorp): Rocky Mountain Power, a division of PacifiCorp, is an investor-owned utility serving Idaho and surrounding states with diverse generation including hydro and wind. Comparable as a regional electric utility operating in Idaho, though operates as a multi-state IOU rather than municipal entity.
• Idaho Power Company: Idaho Power is an investor-owned utility serving southern Idaho and eastern Oregon, with significant hydroelectric generation on the Snake River. Comparable as a regional hydro-based electric utility serving overlapping geography, but operates as an IOU with different rate structure and ownership model.
• Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD): SMUD is a large California municipal electric utility serving Sacramento with diverse generation including hydro. Comparable as a community-owned utility with low-carbon portfolio, but operates at significantly larger scale with broader service territory and program offerings.

Direct peers

• Chelan County PUD: Chelan County PUD is a public utility district in Washington state operating major hydroelectric projects (Rocky Reach, Rock Island) on the Columbia River. Comparable as a publicly-owned hydro generator serving a defined territory with low-cost power philosophy.
• Seattle City Light: Seattle City Light is a municipally-owned electric utility serving Seattle, with significant hydroelectric generation from the Skagit River and Boundary Dam. Directly comparable as a community-owned hydro-based utility with carbon-free portfolio serving a single city, governed by elected officials.
• Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB): EWEB is a customer-owned municipal utility serving Eugene, Oregon, with a mix of hydro generation, BPA purchases, and retail electricity services. Highly comparable as a Pacific Northwest community-owned utility serving a single city with similar regulatory and operational profile.
• Tacoma Power: Tacoma Power is a municipal electric utility serving Tacoma, WA, with major hydroelectric generation on the Cowlitz River and a similar BPA/wholesale supply mix. Highly comparable as a Pacific Northwest municipal utility with owned hydro, BPA reliance, and similar rate philosophy.
• Snohomish County PUD: Snohomish County PUD is a public utility district serving Snohomish County, WA, with significant hydroelectric generation and BPA power supply. Directly comparable PNW municipal-style utility with similar generation mix and customer structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/IdahoFallsPower
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCFNepyt-X3vCW6UNxGapMdg
• Facebookfacebook.com/IdahoFallsPower
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/idaho-falls-power
• Instagraminstagram.com/idaho_falls_power

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Idaho Falls Power