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chose electricity because of the incentives. There is far more resource going untapped in the 

 89% of electric homes that are not being built to the LTSGC standards than is being lost as a 

 result of 1.3% of all electric homes that would otherwise have chosen gas. 



BPA's incentive levels for the Super Good Cents program should be designed to 

 encouarge highly efficient construction practices among those builders and buyers already 

 choosing to heat with electricity. The level of incentive should not be so high that it would 

 significantly influence the fuel choice decision. Even in areas in which natural gas service is 

 available, payments can be used to partially oi^t the cost of the upgraded conservation 

 measures without promoting fiiel switching. In fact, the program should be run as a fuel 

 blind program with utility investments from both the electric and gas service providers so that 

 all new dwellings could be Super Good Cents efficient. 



6. Has the Northwest Power Planning Council adequately exercised its 



responsibilities under the Act in the resource acquisition field? Please describe 

 the strengths and weaknesses of the Council's activities related to resource 

 acquisition. 



The Northwest Power Plaiming Council has adequately exercised its responsibility 

 under the Act in the resource acquisition field. The 1991 Power Plan presents a credible 

 view of resources needed by the region, and has been extremely useful in communicating this 

 need for resources on a regional basis to those outside of the utility community in the Pacific 

 Northwest. The Council has shown a willingness to support cost-effective and 

 environmentally sound resource acquisitions. The Council could play a further role in 

 unifying state regulatory processes applicable to utilities in the Pacific Northwest. 



