Idaho Public Utilities Commission

Idaho Public Utilities Commission Will Take A Look At Solar Panel Incentives

By • Mar 1, 2018
Liralen Li / Flickr Creative Commons

Right now, Idaho homeowners who install rooftop solar panels receive credits for any extra energy they generate. But Idaho Power is looking to change that system, setting up a fight between the company and solar power advocates.

Rural Idaho Landlines Face Financial Challenges As People Move To Cell Phones

By • Jan 11, 2018
Inge Jørgensen / Flickr Creative Commons

In 2000, 532,000 people had home landlines in Idaho. The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) reports that this number fell to 152,000 last year. According to the Idaho Statesman, this shift has diminished a 30-year-old fund that keeps rural landlines affordable.

Wood River Valley Could Finally Get Second Transmission Line

By • Aug 11, 2017
Tom Banse

Just one electrical transmission line serves parts of the Wood River Valley. After years of debate, the proposal to build a second line as a backup is finally before the Idaho Public Utilities Commission.


Idaho Takes The Plunge On 10-Digit Dialing Ahead Of New Area Code

By • Aug 4, 2017
Matt Guilhem / Boise State Public Radio

Starting Saturday, people across Idaho will have to adjust to a new normal: dialing 10-digits when they place a call – even local ones. The shift comes as the Gem State prepares to adopt a second area code: 986.

2-0-8, those numbers have been synonymous with Idaho since 1947 when area codes were introduced. But, 70 years later, phone numbers prefaced by those three digits are in short supply.

Idaho Days Away From New 986 Area Code

By • Aug 1, 2017
Fernando Clavijo / Flickr

There are just a few days left to guarantee a phone number with the 208 area code synonymous with Idaho. Starting Saturday, callers in the Gem State will have to start dialing full 10-digit phone numbers as Idaho inaugurates its second area code.

New numbers will start being assigned the 986 area code in early September, but 208 numbers could run out sooner in some places, forcing early adoption of the new digits.

State Officials OK Utility's Community Solar Project

By • Nov 7, 2016
Flickr Creative Commons

State officials have approved a utility company's application to build a solar power project southeast of Boise funded by customers who take out subscriptions.

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission late last week approved Idaho Power's application for the 500-kilowatt solar project that would be the state's first utility-owned solar power production facility.

Workshops Set For Idaho Transition To Second Area Code

By • Jul 28, 2016
phone, office
Frankie Barnhill / Boise State Public Radio

Idaho officials have announced workshops throughout the state to help telephone customers transition to a second area code and the resulting need for 10-digit dialing.

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission in a statement Wednesday says voluntary 10-digit dialing begins in November and mandatory 10-digit dialing starts in August 2017.

Idaho has been assigned a 208 code since 1947, and will get a new three-digit code next year.

Officials say the new code of 986 to be issued to new telephone numbers will overlay existing 208 users rather than split the state.

Idaho Will Get Second Area Code In 2017

By • Nov 3, 2015
Boise State Public Radio

Make some room, 208.

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission approved the change Monday. People with the current 208 number, which has been around since 1947, will be able to keep their area code. “986” will get assigned to new phone numbers beginning in 2017.

Once the second area code is added, 10-digit dialing will be required throughout the state.  

Your Next Idaho Phone Number Might Not Start With 208

By Emilie Ritter Saunders • Jun 18, 2013
208 Idaho
Emilie Ritter Saunders / Boise State Public Radio

In less than a decade, Idaho will likely join the ranks of states with more than one area code. That’s right, Idaho’s 208 area code is quickly becoming an endangered species.

This isn’t a new story. Back in 2007, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission said the state would run out of 208 phone numbers within five years. That’s when number conservation and consolidation kicked in. The amount of phone numbers available expanded when the state changed the way it assigns them.

Rural Residents, Seniors Fight Proposed Phone Changes

Scott Ki / Boise State Public Radio

Restoring phone service may take longer in Idaho if Public Utility Commissioners decide to change the rules.  The local phone company typically has 24 hours to fix a land line.  If that doesn’t happen on time, the customer gets credited a month’s worth of service.  Now, phone companies want more time and to do away with the credit.