20250411Comments_1.pdf

The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Melanie Church
Submission Time: Apr 10 2025 4:24PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 718 S 55th W
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
Name of Utility Company: Rocky Mountain Power
Case ID: CASE PAC-E-
Comment: "Dear IPUC,
My husband and I have recently invested in the installation of solar panels, the excess
power of which we feed back to Rocky Mountain Power(RMP) rather than storing it in a
battery bank. We made the significant investment ($65,000+)for both our benefit and to
help RMP as we have seen communication that they are trying to expand their
infrastructure to accommodate the current and anticipated growth in the Idaho Falls area
with an emphasis on renewable energy. No sooner than our system was up and running, we
received notification that RMP wants to reduce the export rates. I realize that infrastructure
needs to be in place before people move into the area, but the burden of paying for that
should not fall to those of us who have already outlaid a significant amount of money to
help the system. The proposed rate change looks like a bait-and-switch scheme.
RMP increased their customer rates 20% in January of this year with an additional increase
announced for 2026. And now, for those of us who are invested in generating solar power,
they are proposing a reduction in export credit rates by more than 50%. Between the
increase in usage fees and the reduction in what solar providers are compensated, that is
encroaching on a net loss for those of us who have solar systems and are on all electric
utilities. Considering that only about 7% of Idaho's power generation comes from solar
sources, there must be a more profitable way for RMP to generate their income than
undercutting some of the customers that they are relying on to feed the power grid.
One of the main reasons why my husband and I elected to invest in a solar system is
because we don't want to be priced out of our home. We have lived many places around
the country, and what we've observed is that usually what prices people out of their homes

is property taxes that exceed what the homeowner can pay. But here it's RMP's electric
utility bills that are on the verge of pricing us out of our home! There are other ways RMP to
increase revenue without reducing compensation to the homeowners who are generating
power and feeding it back into the system. I am strongly urging IPUC to support fair solar
energy payback by not allow RMP to reduce the compensation rate for the solar generating
homeowners.
Sincerely,
Melanie Church