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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20250416Comments_23.pdf The following comments were submitted via PUCWeb: Name: Lawrence Ferro Submission Time:Apr 15 2025 4:16PM Email: LFerro99@gmail.com Telephone: 208-890-3750 Address: 903 S. Lone Hollow Way Eagle, ID 83616 Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power Case ID: IPC-E-25-15 Comment: "I purchased $42,000 worth of solar panels two years ago. Had I known what IP was going to do, I would not have. But, as I see what's playing out, I think that was exactly their goal. About 15 years ago there was an effort to make wind power in Idaho seem like a plague. The group behind that was linked to the oil industry. This is the same group, in a different form, that is responsible for this hack job on solar. I want to congratulate the IP reps who've made it appear logical but who are in fact, likely taking money under the table to kill solar. Congratulations; you've done so well by your children and future generations and the public at large. You're going to buy my power at a penny and sell it at 8 cents? I want to see your calculations. I want to see your assumptions. I want to see how far you've stretched the truth. There is an incredible con job going on here. But, I suspect, that Idaho being Idaho, was a good test case for this group to see how this strategyworks. In the end, killing solar in all red states is ultimately the goal. How despicable. " -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: Joe Maldonado Submission Time: Apr 15 2025 4:24PM Email: a40jxm@yahoo.com Telephone: 208-371-8615 Address: 2006 Santa Clara Drive Caldwell, ID 83605 Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power Case ID: IPC-E-25-15 Comment: "I oppose any reduction in SOLAR engery rates paid to the customers, Idaho Power proposes to reduce those rates even more, that is not fair and reduces the abilitity of customers selecting solar to help the environment, solar is one of the only few sustainable 1 and eco friendly power sources available. It is a crime for a Utility Company to propose eliminating solar energy by not paying customers for it. Utilities should enbrace and push for more solar!!!! " -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb: Name: Shiloh Stallcop Submission Time: Apr 15 2025 6:09PM Email: godsgracecase@aol.com Telephone: 208-284-8961 Address: 7190 Proctor Ln. Marsing, ID 83639 Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power Case ID: IPC-E-25-1 Comment: "I'm writing to oppose the new Idaho Power Solar export rate. With no option to heat our home other than electricity, our family decided to invest in solar. After a year of having solar, Idaho Power changed their export credit. This winter, we had a 336 dollar electricity bill on top of a large solar payment. This is with keeping our house in the mid 60s all winter. February cost us 800 dollars between the two payments. Now if Idaho Power's new request is granted, we will incur an even greater winter bill. Having a 25 year solar loan and a high electricity bill is crippling for those who believed they were making a wise, clean electricity investment. Please deny Idaho Power's request to lower the export credit to any degree. The changes are already brutally hard. New changes will be crippling for many. Thank you for your time. " ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The following comments were submitted via PUCWeb: Name: Polly Hennessy Submission Time: Apr 15 2025 5:24PM Email: mamapolly3@gmail.com Telephone: 208-244-1753 Address: 1915 Grandview Ave Pocatello , ID 83204 2 Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power Case ID: IPC-E-25-15 Comment: "For the past 20 or so years all we've heard is to conserve, conserve our energy sources. So, I've tried to do my part- bought new energy efficient windows for our house, bought energy efficient light bulbs, participated in the air conditioning program offered by Idaho Power to cut back our usage during the peak time of day and finally the purchase of solar panels. My thoughts on all of this was that we were helping to decrease our usage of the limited resources of power which I thought was a good thing. But I guess not because Idaho Power still wants our money regardless of how we try to cutback. Last years cuts to acceptable hours was bad enough but now they want to cut how much they want to pay for those fewer hours they deemed acceptable. When is it going to stop? I spent$40,000 on solar panels in the hopes of saving myself money and helping with our overburdened energy grid. I have come to the conclusion that Idaho Power could care less about conserving energy if it affects their financial bottom line. It just boils down to money, money, money. I ask you to please say NO to this case. Can't for just once someone step up to do what is right for the people who are trying to conserve and maybe just maybe get something in return? Just say NOHH" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: Penelope Traylor Submission Time:Apr 15 2025 6:26PM Email: web@pt13.me Telephone: 208-830-5114 Address: 3733 S Caddis Pl Boise, ID 83716 Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power Case ID: IPC-E-25-15 Comment: "Sincerely concerned about solar usage rate increases, monthly fee increases, export credit rate decreases, and unfair, unjust, discriminatory and inefficient decisions by the commission. The IPUC is using a biased report from a for-profit entity with no fact 3 checking or community input. As an individual that spent tens of thousands of dollars to install a solar system for all its benefits and based on calculations at the time, the IPUC has wrongfully and significantly eliminated most of the value from my investment. IPUC should follow through on their mission to determine fair,just, reasonable and nondiscriminatory rates and practices. " -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: John decker Submission Time: Apr 15 2025 6:34PM Email: k9decker@gmail.com Telephone: 206-713-0804 Address: Po Box 430, Caldwell, ID 83606 Name of Utility Company: Idaho power Case ID: IPC-E-25-15 Comment: "We invested in rooftop solar a couple of years ago to help save money on our power bill.We are retired and have limited income. It is amazing to me that Idaho power wants to cut the rate again to purchase our excess power. In these economic times this is ridiculous. We are doing our part to help save money and help the environment. Idaho power is trying to take that away from all of us. Please don't allow them to reduce the solar credits again. Obviously they want to eliminate them entirely. You the commission need to helps us Thankyou" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name:Todd Bigelow Submission Time: Apr 15 2025 8:OOPM Email: toddbigelow@gmail.com Telephone: 208-590-9917 Address: 2861 S Mayflower Way Boise, ID 83709 Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power Case ID: IPC-E-25-15 Comment: "Please stop Idaho Power's insanely greedy, monopoly supported money grab via a completely lopsided "market" rate scheme. We made an informed decision to 4 decrease reliance on a price increase happy utility, and at the same time be eco-concious. We are now utterly powerless to protect that investment. I understand Idaho Power feels they need to change the economics around solar, and I am ok with that. Make them prove what the shift needs to be. It is unrealistic that many other states make this work and yet it will now take 85 years to pay off the investment in Idaho due to the rate change. You are going to destroy many people's finances and make home values decrease.We have always given money each month to help those less fortunate afford utilities in Idaho. We will have to stop doing that if this goes through. We will also just start saving up for batteries, which will eventually reduce Idaho Power's revenue further.This is on them. " ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: Kaycee Teeter Submission Time: Apr 15 2025 9:43PM Email: kayceeteeter@gmail.com Telephone: 208-421-2909 Address: 427 Sagebrush Drive Twin Falls, ID 83301 Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power Case ID: IPC-E-25-15 Comment: "The proposed decrease in the rate that Idaho Power compensates for excess generation is unacceptable. This decision significantly lowers the value of solar panels, discouraging individuals and businesses from investing in renewable energy and undermining our shared goal of promoting green energy. Solar power isn'tjust a personal investment—it's a vital part of the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions. I also feel that Idaho Power is profiting from my investment. By purchasing my excess generation at reduced rates and possibly reselling it at higher rates to other customers, Idaho Power benefits from my renewable energy contributions while leaving me with diminished returns. This imbalance unfairly shifts the financial gains of green energy away from those who invest in it. Compensation for excess solar generation should reflect the long-term benefits that rooftop solar provides—like cutting greenhouse gas emissions and bolstering energy resilience. These proposed reductions in rates could stall progress, deter adoption, and make renewable energy less attainable for Idaho residents. 5 Idaho Power and regulatory bodies must recognize the true value of solar energy and adopt fair policies that support its growth.Together, we must advocate for a more sustainable and equitable future:' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: Kaycee Teeter Submission Time:Apr 15 2025 9:44PM Email: kayceeteeter(cbgmail.com Telephone: 208-421-2909 Address: 427 Sagebrush Drive Twin Falls, ID 83301 Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power Case ID: IPC-E-25-15 Comment: "The proposed decrease in the rate that Idaho Power compensates for excess generation is unacceptable. This decision significantly lowers the value of solar panels, discouraging individuals and businesses from investing in renewable energy and undermining our shared goal of promoting green energy. Solar power isn'tjust a personal investment—it's a vital part of the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions. I also feel that Idaho Power is profiting from my investment. By purchasing my excess generation at reduced rates and possibly reselling it at higher rates to other customers, Idaho Power benefits from my renewable energy contributions while leaving me with diminished returns. This imbalance unfairly shifts the financial gains of green energy away from those who invest in it. Compensation for excess solar generation should reflect the long-term benefits that rooftop solar provides—like cutting greenhouse gas emissions and bolstering energy resilience. These proposed reductions in rates could stall progress, deter adoption, and make renewable energy less attainable for Idaho residents. Idaho Power and regulatory bodies must recognize the true value of solar energy and adopt fair policies that support its growth. Together, we must advocate for a more sustainable and equitable future:' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 Name: Aaron Tomosky Submission Time: Apr 15 2025 9:48PM Email: aarontomosky@yahoo.com Telephone: 208-994-4634 Address: 8916 N Bullwinkle Ln Eagle, ID 83616 Name of Utility Company: Idaho power Case ID: IPC-E-25-15 Comment: "The reduction is energy generation credit rates is completely unhinged with no basis in reality. In just a few short years we have gone from a 1-1 watt for watt system, to a reduced buy rate, and now a proposed further buy rate reduction giving Idaho power an 800% markup on what it buys vs what it sells. The proposed new rates mean that excess power I generate that literally goes to my closest neighbor that Idaho power charges 8x for compared to what they give me. In no world does this make sense. Even the current model means I have to generate 2x what I consume over time to zero out my spend. If anything the energy generation rate should be increased, closer to if not 1-1 with the sell rate. Anything else is a direct attack at solar and the self reliance and overall benefit to the public grid that comes with it. " -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: Robert Karrels Submission Time:Apr 15 2025 9:49PM Email: buells3t@hotmail.com Telephone: 208-867-0037 Address: 8076 S. Bogus Ridge Way Boise, ID 83716 Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power Case ID: IPC-E-25-15 Comment: "I received a card in the mail from Idaho Power about the rate changes to power being exported to Idaho Power. The rate changes they are proposing is completely unacceptable. The "non-summer" rate change is completely unfair. We, the owners of the solar grids, have all the upkeep and cost, not Idaho Power. Lowering our rate from $.048365 to $.00954 for 8 months of the year is utterly ridiculous.Then to turn around and 7 sell it for$.088958, 9 times the value you are paying us when you have basically no cost on your end is again completely unfair.The "summer" rates also make no sense. Lowering peak"summer"from $.169966 to $.140598 and non-peak"summer" from $.056533 to $.01782 is again having Idaho Power completely taking advantage of us solar owners just so they can turn around and sell it for$.101082 during peak and non-peak hours. Again, a serious pricing advantage to Idaho Power when they don't have any grid, inverters, or any solar parts to maintain. Another issue, Idaho Power has raised the service charge the last 2 years and they also changed the from the "credit" system January 2024 to their favor. Idaho Power ate up 2100 credits we had giving us just a few dollars, when in they should have completely covered my bill for 3.5 months if I turned off my solar grid. Curious where all this financial gain goes to for Idaho Power. Does it cover help cover the insanely high salary of Lisa Grow, President and Executive Officer to IDACORP and Idaho Power Board of Director. Her salary is over$7 million with incentives, benefits and awards. (Source, Idaho Stateman) Is this how they are funding her salary out of the hard working people's pockets. These rate changes are completely unfair to us solar owners.We the people who have fronted so much of our life's savings,just to have Idaho Power basically steal it from us by paying us almost nothing while they sell it much more, all massive profits to them without any cost on their end. Please don't pass this rate change. " -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: Mark Stevens Submission Time: Apr 15 2025 9:51 PM Email: stevensclan.mark.01 @gmail.com Telephone: 208-908-3389 Address: 2252 E Challis St Meridian, ID 83646 Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power Case ID: IPC-E-25-15 Comment: "I disagree with Idaho Power's request to further decrease the pay rate for roof top solar power users. Those installing solar panels are their allies, helping to free up the grid for growth.The proposed pay decrease removes any financial benefit for installing solar panels. In Idaho solar panels are a "no brainer"and should be encouraged instead of discouraged. " -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 Name: Victoria Aspeytia Submission Time: Apr 15 2025 10:12PM Email: victoria.l.haliti@gmail.com Telephone: 208-695-9012 Address: 7499 E Nottingham Lane NAMPA, ID 83687 Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power Case ID: IPC-E-25-15 Comment: "Allowing Idaho Power to reduce the return on energy banked from rooftop solar is taking money out of the pockets of Idaho Families. " -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: Clinton Simonson Submission Time: Apr 16 2025 5:57AM Email: clintsimonson@gmail.com Telephone: 208-380-5112 Address: 887 w 200 s Blackfoot, ID 83221 Name of Utility Company: Idaho power Case ID: IPC-E-25-15 Comment: "The fact that Idaho power already was allowed to switch to net metering if dispickable.We switched to solar to help with rising energy cost. Since net metering or power bill has risen dramatically on top of what we have to pay for solar. Now they want to slash what they pay us for energy they can sell for 8 times as much. It is criminal and if the public utility commission allows this they are corrupt. This is what this commission is for to stop private companies from taking advantage of consumers. They already allowed it once now they just step in. Why are we allowing big business to control our government and ruin our state" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 Name:William Mullane Submission Time: Apr 16 2025 6:41AM Email: williammullane@boisestate.edu Telephone: 208-863-4259 Address: 3656 N Willowbar Way Garden City, ID 83714 Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power Case ID: IPC-E-25-15 Comment: "Having made a significant investment in rooftop solar in 2022, 1 am angry and disappointed that the Idaho Public Utilities Commission is considering another decrease in the rate I am reimbursed for contributing my excess power to the grid. The initial rate decrease and switch from net metering to net billing, which was approved last year, completely blew up the investment I and many others had made in solar.When I installed my system, I was aware that Idaho Power might make what I thought would be incremental changes to reimbursement rates. I could not consider how drastic and impactful the changes would be. The next round of lower rates under consideration will drive the knife even deeper into our investments. Your insensitivity to our investments in solar energy forces us to consider purchasing battery systems that will remove our energy from the grid. Overtime, this will decrease the clean energy available to my energy-hungry neighbors and raise costs. " -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb: Name: Arthur Pratt Submission Time: Apr 16 2025 8:06AM Email: livinglegacydesign@gmail.com Telephone: 208-221-9978 Address: 147 Ellsworth Rd. Pocatello, ID 83202 Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power Case ID: IPC-E-25-15 Comment: "Idaho Power's proposal to the IPUC to decrease the export credit rate even further than they have already done in the last couple of years is absolutely egregious. 10 Unfortunately, this was anticipated with their 2022 proposal to change to net billing, but it should not be allowed. The export credit rate they are proposing is beyond unfair to those who have invested, or want to invest, in rooftop solar. Please draw the line here on their continued rate cuts and tell Idaho Power no to this proposal. " -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Lynne Jellum (lynnealine@msn.com) Sent You a Personal Message <kwautomail@phone2action.com> Sent:Wednesday, April 16, 2025 9:52 AM To: secretary<secretary@puc.idaho.gov> Subject: IPC-E-25-15 Public Comment Dear Idaho Public Utilities Commission, I am a retiree, on a fixed income. I purchased solar panels in preparation for my retirement, wanting to have a fixed level to pay for electricity, which seems to go up every year!!! I attended the PUC meeting last year, testified to why the PUC should NOT change the rate I receive for the electricity my panels produce. Unfortunately, I feel the PUC does NOT have the public's best interest at heart! I believe the PUC is beholden to IDAHO POWER and that IS NOT FAIR to those of us who are trying to prepare for uncertain economic times. AGAIN, I BEG you to stop violating my rights as a solar panel owner and make Idaho Power pay me a fair rate!!!! I?m very concerned about Idaho Power?s proposal to slash rooftop solar compensation rates by up to 80%. Paying rooftop solar owners less than 1 ?/kWh for the power they put onto the grid for eight months out of the year, while then charging regular customers at Least 8?/kWh for that same electricity, is extremely unfair. Last year's solar rate changes, coupled with the increased fixed service charges, were already devastating for Idaho Power customers. Please do a thorough review to check the utility's math and assumptions, listen to outside experts and customers, and don't let this monopoly utility unfairly squeeze money out of its customers and undercut their right to generate their own power. Also, please improve the public process by adding a virtual testimony option (as is provided at Public Service Commissions in all neighboring states)to help ensure you can hear the important perspectives from everyone who will be impacted by Idaho Power?s changes. Written comments and public hearings with limited times and locations are not enough. 11 Thankyou. Sincerely, Lynne Jellum 5552 W Chandra LN Boise, ID 83705 lynnealine@msn.com (208) 949-4988 This message was sent by KnowWho, as a service provider, on behalf of an individual associated with Sierra Club. If you need more information, please contact Member Care at Sierra Club at member.care@sierraclub.org or (415) 977-5673. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb: Name: Doug Green Submission Time: Apr 16 2025 12:02PM Email: dslinjsvc@aol.com Telephone: 208-695-3805 Address: 5210 s maple grove Boise, ID 83709 Name of Utility Company: Idaho power Case ID: ICP-E-25-15 Comment: "This is in question to solar power a rates,We got in to it the first year we were short some. The next year we thought we would short less because we would have all summer, that's when it was credit for credit. Then they changed us the paying for the credits then us buy them back. Didn't seem to go as well paying more for winter power as the sun isn't out as much.We though it would be a good thing that would keep power going to everyone better because we where going to make some if not all of our power. They took all of the power bills for a year and that's how they figured the power panels.As I don't understand why the power company needs to make money on us they aren't going to fix the panels when they go bad or wiring.we either need to make more than last year. Basically we've ended up paying for the solar panels contract AND the monthly power." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb: Name: Bruce Rankin Submission Time: Apr 16 2025 12:01 PM Email:jbrankin@mac.com Telephone: 208-994-1865 Address: 675 Fox Ridge Ln McCall, ID 83638 Name of Utility Company: ID Pwr Case ID: IPC-E-25-15 Comment: "We have a 19.9KW Solar System and 20KW battery storage. For the period of April 1-15, 2025, we consumed 442 kWh and returned 1 MW to the grid. Those electrons were available the moment they left our house and were intermingled with electrons produced or purchased by Idaho Power. One can assume that starting with our closest neighbors, electrons were being consumed. For that privilege, Idaho Power likely charged them $0.087476 per kWh. As of the 2023 rate schedule, ID Pwr credits our production at $0.048/kWh and ID Pwr is asking the P.U.C. to lower that credit to$0.00959/kWh. ID Pwr claims that$0.00959 is a fair market value. If that were true, why doesn't ID Pwr reduce the kWh cost to consumers to reflect that true market value:' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following comments were submitted via PUCWeb: Name: Steven Kaehler Submission Time:Apr 16 2025 2:23PM Email: sdkaehlerCcbgmail.com Telephone: 206-850-1645 Address: 1634 Rim View Drive Caldwell, ID 83605 Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power Case ID: IPC-E-25-15 Comment: "Idaho Power has been devaluing the power residential solar contributes to Ludicrous proportions. At this rate, there won't be anyone interested in putting solar on their roof or an industry to do that. Give us fair value for the power we generate:' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 Name:Thomas Reynolds Submission Time: Apr 16 2025 2:30PM Email: tgrkjr@gmail.com Telephone: 208-863-6986 Address: 3531 E Quin Dr Meridian, ID 83642 Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power Case ID: IPC-E-25-15 Comment: "Idaho Power sent a notice of their filing saying that they want a 34% increase in their fees charged to homes with solar power. We had a solar system installed in Oct, 2023. Then we got a notice around the first part of the year, 2024, saying changes were being made on the billing to help pay infrastructure costs.With this change, they reduced the amount that we get paid per kilowatt and charge us around 33% more for that kilowatt.To compensate for this change, we would need more solar panels installed. They now want to charge us another 34% on top of the already increase of about 33%. This makes a very large increase in just 2 years. Idaho Power has made no mention of increasing all customers these same increased rates.These increases help them meet some of their needs for energy and not affect their other customers by these same large rate increases. This appears to be some sort of discrimination to some customers. Thank you for your time and consideration. I feel that they want us to regret getting solar energy. Tom and Karla Reynolds 3531 E Quin Dr. Meridian, ID 83642 Cell phone: 208-863-6986 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 From: Lori Beer(loriscobeer@gmail.com) Sent You a Personal Message <kwautomail@phone2action.com> Sent:Wednesday, April 16, 2025 3:44 PM To: secretary<secretary@puc.idaho.gov> Subject: IPC-E-25-15 Public Comment Dear Idaho Public Utilities Commission, We are considering installing solar, but Idaho Power would make it more difficult if they are successful in reducing the payment for solar owners. I?m very concerned about Idaho Power?s proposal to slash rooftop solar compensation rates by up to 80%. Paying rooftop solar owners less than 1 ?/kWh for the power they put onto the grid for eight months out of the year, while then charging regular customers at Least 8?/kWh for that same electricity, is extremely unfair. Last year's solar rate changes, coupled with the increased fixed service charges, were already devastating for Idaho Power customers. Please do a thorough review to check the utility's math and assumptions, listen to outside experts and customers, and don't let this monopoly utility unfairly squeeze money out of its customers and undercut their right to generate their own power. Also, please improve the public process by adding a virtual testimony option (as is provided at Public Service Commissions in all neighboring states)to help ensure you can hear the important perspectives from everyone who will be impacted by Idaho Power?s changes. Written comments and public hearings with limited times and locations are not enough. Thankyou. Sincerely, Lori Beer 1543 Saratoga St. Pocatello, ID 83201 loriscobeer@gmail.com (208) 238-1597 This message was sent by KnowWho, as a service provider, on behalf of an individual associated with Sierra Club. If you need more information, please contact Member Care at Sierra Club at member.careC@sierraclub.org or (415) 977-5673. 15 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb: Name:Thomas Hicks Submission Time: Apr 16 2025 3:20PM Email: tmh14thkid@pm.me Telephone: 208-595-7078 Address: 8008 W Brooks Dr Boise, ID 83714 Name of Utility Company: Idado power Case ID: IPC E25-15 Comment: "The proposed DRAMATIC decrease to the reimbursement of customers that generate EXCESS ELECTRICITY for fellow Idahoan's is OUTRAGEOUS. WE spent the funds to ensure electricity GENERATION for our home, the excess of which is SHARED with fellow Idahoan's;THEN WE are NOT reimbursed fairly for said excess electricity generation. By way of the current proposal,The Idaho Public Utility Commission has clearly and willfully sided AGAINST the general public, aiming to increase the profitability of Idaho Power and the parent company, Idacorp. (Ensuring ongoing political contributions to those elected officials....) The IPUC has FAILED its mission and primary purpose to shield the people of Idaho from PRICE GOUGING and UNfair business practices by ignoring contradictory evidence and the pleas of this community. Said contradictory evidence included a public study, which almost universally contradicted that study provided by Idaho Power. The IPUC MUST HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGs in response to this proposal and consider the will of the people. And I urge a NO vote to the proposed rate reduction proposal Thomas Hicks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16