Washington Water Power Co. v. Kootenai Environmental Alliance

SHEPARD, Chief Justice.

This is an appeal from orders of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission prohibiting Washington Water Power Company from engaging in political advocacy. We set aside the orders of the Commission.

In March and May of 1975, Washington Water Power (WWP) published documents entitled the “Family Gazette” which were mailed to customers of WWP in the same envelopes as contained bills for the utility services. The March issue contained an article by WWP President Satre urging construction of hydro-electric facilities on the Middle Snake River. The May issue contained another…