On a crisp autumn day in 1900, Idaho Falls, Idaho, lit its first streetlights from a tiny generator energized by water flowing through a diversion canal. It was Oct. 22, a date that would launch a legacy of local ingenuity and community-driven progress. As Idaho Falls Power marks 125 years of service, that legacy burns as brightly as ever.
Today, Idaho Falls stands proud not just for its scenic river vistas or historic downtown, but as a pioneer in public power, the first city in Idaho to own and operate its own electric utility. At a time when electricity was still a novelty and many communities relied on private companies for service, Idaho Falls charted its own course.
A vision rooted in community
In the late 19th century, as Idaho Falls, then called Eagle Rock, grew from a frontier settlement into a bustling hub of agriculture and commerce, city leaders recognized the promise of electricity. But they also saw the limitations of depending on distant power providers. The solution was simple: Do it themselves.
Enter Joseph A. Clark, an engineer by training and Idaho Falls’ first mayor, who campaigned on a simple but bold promise: To bring affordable, reliable electricity to every corner of the city. Harnessing the existing system of irrigation canals and the Snake River’s steady flow, Clark and a dedicated group of local citizens secured community support and financing through bond issues.
On Oct. 22, 1900, the city flipped the switch on its first municipal electric plant, installed at the corner of 10th Street and South Boulevard. The plant initially powered only streetlights, a public spectacle that drew crowds and marked the beginning of something transformative. Within two years, Idaho Falls began selling power to homes and businesses alike, with residents paying just a few cents a month for electric service.
In the early 1900s, electricity transformed daily life in Idaho Falls. Electric lights extended business hours downtown, powered grain mills and workshops, and helped attract new residents and industries to the growing community. What began as a modest streetlighting effort quickly became an essential public service.
That spark has now grown into a robust and resilient community, one that continues to innovate and invest in its own energy future.
Turning water into power: Energy along the Snake
Idaho Falls Power’s early success laid the groundwork for expansion. As demand for electricity increased, successive generations of leaders and engineers embraced hydropower, tapping deeper into the Snake River’s potential. Over the years, the utility constructed and upgraded a series of hydroelectric plants that would become the backbone of its generation portfolio.
Today, Idaho Falls Power operates four hydroelectric dams along the Snake River, providing approximately one-third of the community’s electric power. This reliance on renewable, clean, locally generated energy helps keep costs low while minimizing environmental impact. Hydropower also offered stability during periods of national uncertainty. Through economic downturns, wars, and energy crises, locally owned generation allowed Idaho Falls to maintain reliable service while keeping decisions close to home. The ability to control its own resources proved invaluable as the city and utility grew together.
“The Snake River is such a big part of our community, and the fact that it helps us generate our own electricity is pretty incredible,” said Idaho Falls Power Executive Assistant Linda Lundquist. “It’s a reminder of how fortunate we are to live where we do and have this powerful, beautiful resource flowing right through town.”
One of the most defining moments in Idaho Falls Power’s history came in June 1976, when the catastrophic failure of the Teton Dam sent floodwaters racing toward the city. The flood damaged much of Idaho Falls and severely impacted power infrastructure, destroying two of the utility’s three hydroelectric plants at the time. Rather than retreat, the community responded with determination. The damaged facilities were rebuilt stronger and more resilient, incorporating lessons learned from the disaster. The flood became a turning point, reinforcing the importance of thoughtful planning, community pride, and long-term investment in local infrastructure—principles that continue to guide Idaho Falls Power today.
Looking forward: A new peaking plant for a growing city
In December 2025, Idaho Falls Power marked its 125th anniversary with the ribbon cutting of a brand-new peaking plant, a $36 million generation facility designed to provide on-demand power during periods of high demand. That modern milestone reflects a consistent theme throughout the utility’s history: planning ahead.
“Since lighting the city’s first streetlamp more than a century ago, Idaho Falls Power has upheld a commitment to innovation, fiscal responsibility, and low electricity rates,” said former Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper at the dedication ceremony. “This new facility carries that tradition forward.”
With seven natural gas-fueled generators that can transition to hydrogen blends in the future, the plant strengthens local energy independence while offering flexibility and stability in an era of rapidly changing markets. And it does so without losing sight of the utility’s core mission: affordable reliability for the community.
“We are proud to serve our community and its commitment to energy innovation,” said interim Idaho Falls Power General Manager Stephen Boorman. “We have a rich history in looking toward the future and investing in the appropriate infrastructure. This project reflects that commitment to our customers and our future.”
Walking through 125 years of power
One way Idaho Falls Power shares its history with the community is through interpretive panels placed at key points along the Idaho Falls River Walk Greenbelt. These wayfinding signs chronicle important chapters in the city’s energy story, from the earliest canal-era plants to the innovative bulb turbines and the iconic hydroelectric facilities that followed. When walkers, joggers, and families enjoy a riverside afternoon, the panels turn a familiar stroll into an educational journey. Each sign features historic photos, engaging narratives, and technical insights that together illuminate how power generation has evolved alongside the city itself.
For Idaho Falls Power, the panels are more than historical markers—they are a way to ensure the story of public power remains visible and accessible. By placing history directly into shared community spaces, the utility connects past generations of workers, engineers, and civic leaders with the residents who benefit from their vision today.
“Hydropower has long been part of Idaho Falls’ story,” said Idaho Falls Power External Affairs Manager Sarah Wheeler. “Our community has a unique history of using the river to power our homes and businesses, and that story is worth sharing. The wayfinding signs, strategically placed along the eight-mile river walk, invite residents and visitors an opportunity to pause, learn, and reflect on a resource that quietly supports our daily lives, one we might otherwise take for granted.”
A legacy of local ownership
The decision to embrace public power more than a century ago has had enduring benefits. Unlike investor-owned utilities, Idaho Falls Power is rooted in civic accountability. Decisions about growth, rates, and resource planning are made locally, by the residents who live in the city and serve their neighbors.
That sense of ownership extends beyond infrastructure. Many generations of Idaho Falls families have worked for the utility, passing down institutional knowledge, pride, and a deep understanding of the community the utility serves. This continuity has helped preserve not just reliable service, but a culture rooted in stewardship and public trust. Additionally, that local control has translated into electric rates significantly lower than the national average, protection from volatile wholesale markets, and ongoing investments in infrastructure that support reliability and sustainability.
With the city celebrating 125 years of community energy, residents and leaders alike reflected on how that early leap into municipal ownership helped shape the character of Idaho Falls, not just as a place with lights on every corner, but as a community that builds its own future together.
