Keith Esplin Quotations

Idaho Power is making this issue very public, and is adamant about gaining support any way they can. While they are quick to blame H.B. 800 for the recent drop in their credit rating, they should really be blaming themselves. Their tactics only earned them negative publicity, and they shouldn't be surprised that their credit rating reflects that.

Without water, we do not grow. We are not asking Idaho Power to forego any of their water rights, but they do need to understand that their needs are not a priority over everyone else in the state.

It's much better to find it when the problem is small rather than to wait until it has spread.

It's difficult to push that market. The process contracts won't go up until processors are afraid they won't have enough volume of potatoes. They have to get to the point where they can go to McDonald's and Burger King and get more money, but consumption has been pretty flat since the early ?90s when those companies went to the super sizes.

All indications are that it's a very minor infestation. We want to be careful we don't spread it around or introduce it, but it doesn't appear that that's happened. I think we caught it in time.