20250508Comments_15.pdf

The following comments were submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Lester Connors
Submission Time: May 7 2025 6:35PM
Email: lconnor_1 @yahoo.com
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 3524 RIDGEPARK ST
Caldwell, ID 83605
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Case ID: IPC-E-25-15
Comment: "Please do not approve the solar production credit rate reduction. One of the
reasons I invested in solar panels is that it is a sustainable, renewable power generation
method. Reducing the solar production credit reduces any incentive I have to expand my
production grid in the future. It also means that my power bills would increase, rather than
decreasing."
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Name: Martin Roberts
Submission Time: May 7 2025 8:45PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 3602 N Sycamore Dr
Boise, Id 83703-4140
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Case ID: IPC-E-25-15
Comment: "Attended the online workshop today. Very dissatissfied and have no
confidence in IP method of calculating the export rate. These lower rates are a disaster for
encouraging investment in solar energy in Idaho. I would suggest scrapping the current
methods and allocating an export rate that is a fair percentage of the rates charged by
Idaho Power to its customers. This would make a clear connection to the fair market value
of power. I strongly advise you to hold off on implementing the proposed changes on June
1 st and reassess the methodology. The present direction is too volatile and subject to
biases from IP to maximize their profits and discourage solar investment in Idaho."
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1

Name: Bou harrold
Submission Time: May 7 2025 9:08PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 710 Sand Hollow Rd
Caldwell, ID 83607-8504
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Case ID: IPC-E-25-15
Comment: "Idaho Power's recommended reduction in net metering for residential solar
producers amounts to theft of the power these customers provide to the grid. Idaho Power
currently charges 9.9-14.1 cents per kilowatt hour in the summer with the tiered system
with an ECR of 5.6 for off peak and 16.9 for on peak. Thats a 4.4-8.5 cent profit per kilowatt
for off peak, a 44-60% profit, which should at least cover Idaho powers expenses to
maintain the grid. Dropping the off peak ECR to 1.7 cents. Thats 8.1-12.4 cents per kw, 81-
88%gain. On site generation also only accounts for a small fraction of their total customer
base. Even if their claim that other customers are "subsidizing" on site generation, that
additional cost is probably only fractions of a penny per kw, if it is even an issue.
Idaho Power also isnt the only one with costs to cover. They are not paying to build or
maintain these solar generators. That cost is absorbed by the home owner and should be
recognized as a cost that needs accounted for. Homeowners of residential solar need to be
properly reimbursed for these systems since Idaho Power and the state are both actively
encouraging installation of these systems and Idaho Power continues to approve these
systems, despite their claims they have to upgrade the grid to handle the loads. If the grid
can't already handle it, then Idaho power shouldn't be approving these systems until after
the grid and lines can handle it.That is a cost Idaho power will have regardless of net
metering.
Idaho Power also has a set clean power initiative through 2045. On site generation should
be part of the solution, and reducing these rates will completely remove future on site
generation from the solution, leaving Idaho Power to build the solutions themselves.
Lastly, how much has Idaho Power paid to upgrade lines going out of state so they can sell
excess power to other power companies for a profit? Did these upgrade costs get past on to
Idaho residents so they can increase their own profits?
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If these requested ECR rates get approved, on site generators would be better off installing
battery systems to more effectively use their generated power and cut Idaho Power out of
the loop. "
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Name: Bruce Christensen
Submission Time: May 8 2025 3:42AM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 687 Lynwood Blvd
Twin Falls , ID 83301
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Case ID: IPC-E-25-15
Comment: "Those, like myself, who purchased solar panels for economic reasons made
certain assumptions about whether or not it was economically worth it. We should have
been grandfathered in to protect our investment. Changes to payment structure made
retroactively are unfair and show contempt for those who do their best to pay their bills and
become self reliant"
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From: Evelyn Hitchcock([e-mail]) Sent You a Personal Message
<[e-mail]>
Sent:Thursday, May 8, 2025 7:46 AM
To: secretary<[e-mail]>
Subject: IPC-E-25-15 Public Comment
Dear Idaho Public Utilities Commission,
I a 78 year old single woman on a fixed income that invested in a rooftop solar system in
2019 before Idaho Power started making these punitive rate changes. They have already
tripled the fixed service charge for my net meter from $5 to a whopping$15 which now
exceeds the cost of my actual electricity usage. The new proposal will result in me further
subsidizing the profits of the shareholders of this private monopolizing company. Why
should the Public Utility Commission not protect the public from this abuse?
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
3

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,
Evelyn Hitchcock
1492 Los Altos Way
Pocatello, ID 83201
hitcevel(cbgmail.com
[phone]
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(sbsierraclub.org or [phone].
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Cindy L Condreay
Submission Time: May 8 2025 8:43AM
Email: angeleyes.condreay21 gmail.com
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 194 South Titan Place
Kuna, ID 83634
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Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Case ID: IPC-E-25-15
Comment: "I love my solar. It has improved and is very effective financially. I would
recommend solar panels to everyone. "
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From: Judi Bocek([e-mail]) Sent You a Personal Message
<[e-mail]>
Sent:Thursday, May 8, 2025 9:47 AM
To: secretary<[e-mail]>
Subject: IPC-E-25-15 Public Comment
Dear Idaho Public Utilities Commission,
When I decided to put Solar Panels on my property, it was a simple conversion rate of 1 kw
to 1 kw as I put power on the grid and used Idaho Power. Last year they decided to change
the conversion to monetary, make it an unbalanced conversion and bring in time of day to
really confuse the consumer. But this new proposal is totally unfair to those of us that have
panels. I understand that Idaho Power has expenses in balancing the power on the grid etc.
But they would still have those expenses, whether we were adding more power to the grid
or not. As power is lost going across the lines, does the added power going back on the
Lines from residential solar help balance that? Idaho Power says they want "green" power,
but apparently this is not their priority. The ratio of what they will pay us for power and what
they want us to pay is totally unfair. Are there no benefits from the residential solar power
going on the grid? Are the Solar/Wind Farms treated the same?
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.
5

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,
Judi Bocek
8004 W. Buckskin Rd
Pocatello, ID 83201
[e-mail]
[phone]
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 [e-mail] or [phone].
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From: Maria Held ([e-mail]) Sent You a Personal Message
<[e-mail]>
Sent: Thursday, May 8, 2025 9:23 AM
To: secretary<[e-mail]>
Subject: IPC-E-25-15 Public Comment
Dear Idaho Public Utilities Commission,
Please convert all accounts to the one kWh out one kWh in (grandfathered) model. It is not
feasible to add panels to systems while requiring a separate hardware.The fluctuating
reimbursement rates make it impossible for homeowners to install new systems.
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
6

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,
Maria Held
240 W Concord St
Middleton, ID 83644
[e-mail]
[phone]
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.carePsierraclub.org or [phone].
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The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name:Therese Gerard
Submission Time: May 8 2025 10:10AM
Email: thergera gmail.com
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 3906 W Catalpa Dr
Boise, ID 83703
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Case ID: IPC-E-25-15
Comment: "It seems that, like myself, the majority of customers struggling with the
significant impact of the change from net metering to ECR are those who invested in solar
power for their homes between 2019 (end date for grandfathering) and the 2022 Voder
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study. Although we knew we weren't grandfathered and that billing could change in SOME
way at SOME time, those of us interested in investing in solar during that time frame did not
have enough information to realize that very soon, we would have a substantial increase in
our Idaho Power bill. In our household, our Idaho Power bill increased by 250% in the first
year on the new ECR equation. This is a financial impact much higher than we had
anticipated, especially because we had an inspection provided by Idaho Power and did
everything we could to make our home more energy efficient before installing solar. We
took a risk, but we did not foresee that the risk would involve such significant annual
changes in the price we pay for power and that our credits would no longer roll forward to
help cover our winter power needs. The proposed rates for the upcoming annual period
would create an even greater increase in our power bill. As a household in early retirement,
this huge increase in our bill is a big hit on our budget. I'm sure the hit Idaho Power would
take as a company pales in comparison to the hit taken by non-legacy customers. Some
ideas I would like Idaho Power and the PUC to consider, specifically for the the group of
non-legacy customers who installed solar power prior to the completion of the Voder study
are as follows, in order of this customer's preference:
1) Complete grandfathering
2) Modified grandfathering such as continuing to allow credits to be carried forward,
even if pricing for those credits in under the formula.
3)A 5-year rather than annual adjustment for more stable pricing
4) Provision of raw data to allow a 3rd party study and pricing proposal. "
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From: Karl Geisler([e-mail]) Sent You a Personal Message
<[e-mail]>
Sent:Thursday, May 8, 2025 11:29 AM
To: secretary<[e-mail]>
Subject: IPC-E-25-15 Public Comment
Dear Idaho Public Utilities Commission,
Idaho Power should credit its customers who produce power to the grid at 100% (1 kwh to
1 kwh), not a fraction of what it's worth.
This is for a couple reasons. First, it encourages more customers - agricultural,
commercial, and residential-to employ this technology. By having more dispersed
production the grid becomes more resilient and more efficient.
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Second, there is no cost to Idaho Power for passing the value back to the producer. Even
those who generate more power than they use still pay a connection fee that helps
maintain the grid. There is no economically justifiable reason to not credit producers of
solar power at 1-to-1 year round other than pure rent-seeking. As a regulated natural
monopoly, rent-seeking should be discouraged as they already have essentially guaranteed
profits every year.
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,
Karl Geisler
364 N. Bonneville Rd
Inkom, ID 83634
[e-mail]
[phone]
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 [e-mail] or [phone].
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9

From: Jody Mahnken ([e-mail]) Sent You a Personal Message
<[e-mail]>
Sent: Thursday, May 8, 2025 12:18 PM
To: secretary<[e-mail]>
Subject: IPC-E-25-15 Public Comment
Dear Idaho Public Utilities Commission,
I want to put roof top solar on my house. Presently I pay extra to your company to support
green energy. Nowyou are not supporting people who paid a significant amount for solar
and you are taking MY money. You are raking money in twice. People want to help the
environment and solve the climate crisis we are presently living in. Keep your promises and
honor your words and contracts!We are doing our part, now do your part! Stop stealing our
energy for$0.01.With the growth in Idaho we need more solar.
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,
Jody Mahnken
4140 N. Oxbow Way
Boise, ID 83713
10

mahnkenj13(a)yahoo.com
[phone]
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([e-mail] or [phone].
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Jacob D'Addabbo
Submission Time: May 8 2025 1:58PM
Email: jake.daddabbo(@gmail.com
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 2800 N Rosedale Ave
Boise, ID 83704
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Case ID: IPC-E-25-15
Comment: "Idaho Power's attempt to defraud rooftop solar owners is nothing short of
disgusting. It has already been shown that Idaho Power uses intentionally misleading and
out of date information to devalue residential rooftop solar. It and its parent company
Idacorp have a long and proven track record of squashing renewable energy options for
idahoan homeowners. They fail to justify"purchasing" at such low rates while neglecting
the strong benefits residential solar brings to the grid, and the state. Since 2023 Idaho
Power and its parent company, IDACORP, have spent$2.2 million on PAC funding that push
its regressive energy policies, continually asking for consumer rate increases while
simultaneously claiming that DER production is worth less now than 10 years ago. How can
they claim both with a straight face? "
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11

From: Brent Funk<[e-mail]>
Sent:Thursday, May 8, 2025 2:23 PM
To: secretary<[e-mail]>
Subject: Public Comments regarding Idaho Power export
Good afternoon,
Please see attached letter
Thankyou
Brent
May 5, 2025
Re: Case Number IPC-E-25-15
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
[e-mail]
Dear Public Utilities Commissioners:
My name is Adam Young, and my family farms 2,700 acres of wheat, barley, and alfalfa in
Bingham County. I am writing with great concern about Idaho Power's recent proposal to
dramatically reduce export credit rates (ECRs)for customer generators. Such an abrupt
change would do great harm to our farm and to other irrigators who have made significant
investments in solar generation to offset rising irrigation power costs. If approved, Idaho
Power's proposed ECRs would reduce the value of the energy our farm provides to the grid
by more than half.The Commission should reject Idaho Power's proposal for several
reasons, including the following:
1. Misalignment between the ECR structure and irrigation rate schedules creates an
unfair disadvantage for irrigators.
2. Idaho Power is adding tremendous amounts of solar generation to meet future
demand while simultaneously devaluing customer-generated solar.
12

In my 2022 testimony before the Commission, I expressed concerns that a time-variant
ECR was out of sync with static consumption rates. The misalignment between time-based
values in the ECR structure and the high demand charge and flat volumetric prices in the
irrigator rate design means that the energythat we generate during peak-demand hours is
already undervalued: when our pumps are running, we're only credited 5.70 per kWh
(irrigators'volumetric rate)for times when Idaho Power has valued that energy at 170 per
kWh. The current rate structure does not credit any portion of our demand charges, even
though our generation provides Idaho Power(and all ratepayers) an avoided cost benefit.
Idaho Power's irrigation rate structure over the past several decades has incentivized
farmers to build systems that run 24/7.This has placed us in a situation where we are
Largely unable to mitigate rising electricity costs, especially since there is no incentive for
irrigators, at large, to shut off during peak-demand hours. In fact, under the current rate
structure, my electric bill would be higher if I designed a system with the capacity to shut
off during peak-demand hours than if I irrigated day-in and day-out. This fundamental
misalignment could be remedied by giving irrigators the option to pay a time-variable rate in
Lieu of demand charges.
The value of our solar generation is further diluted by the fact that all customer classes are
paid the same rate for what we export. The highly-advanced solar trackers that we have
invested in produce a larger amount of energy throughout the entire day than stationary or
rooftop solar. Importantly, our systems are productive during the "shoulder" periods when
rooftop solar is offline. I recognize the Commission's interest in keeping classes combined
but, if we were separate, irrigators' ECRs would be higher. If the Commission wishes to
keep classes combined, then perhaps it could consider recognizing the differences in the
value provided by fixed and tracking customer systems regardless of customer class.
Lastly, it is entirely inconsistent for Idaho Power to dramatically devalue customer
generation while simultaneously expanding its solar infrastructure—and increasing rates to
cover the cost. According to the company's 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), solar
generation alone represents 48% of the infrastructure investment that Idaho Power plans
on making over the next 20 years. Solar generation, combined with battery storage,
represents a whopping 69% of the company's planned portfolio additions. The company
has signaled that it will seek rate increases over the next several years as it expands to
meet growing demand.
While the 2025 IRP has yet to be finalized, preliminary portfolio options include large
additions of solar and batteries in the near future to meet growing demand. If Idaho Power
plans to add its own solar, then the energy that customers with self-generation are
13

providing to the grid is likely much more valuable than Idaho Power is claiming. Please
correct that underpricing of our exports before approving any changes to the ECR rates.
Respectfully,
Adam Young
Young Family Farms
1543 W Taber Rd
Blackfoot, ID 83221
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14

'01,' IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION IPC-E-25-15
Boise, Idaho
May 7, 2025
COMMENT FORM
Please use the space below to file a comment in this case. Add extra sheets as needed.
You may either hand this sheet to a commission staff member or mail it to:
IPUC, PO Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074
You may also post comments on our website:
https://www.puc.idaho.gov/
Click on the "Case Comment Form" link
SA,
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The following information is required for your comment to be filed with the case. (Note:When submitting a
Comment in a current case,the Comment constitutes a public record under Idaho Code§9-337(13). All
information you provide is available for public and media inspection and may be reviewed by the utility.)
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IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION IPC-E-25-15
Boise, Idaho
May 7, 2025
COMMENT FORM
Please use the space below to file a comment in this case. Add extra sheets as needed.
You may either hand this sheet to a commission staff member or mail it to:
IPUC, PO Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074
You may also post comments on our website.
https://www.puc.idaho.gov/
Click on the "Case Comment Form" link 1
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The following information is required for your comment to be filed with the case. (Note:When submitting a
Comment in a current case,the Comment constitutes a public record under Idaho Code§9-337(13). All
information you provide is available for public and media inspection and may be reviewed by the utility.)
Print Name /y1./cCA� k1o.'Lef;p Sign Name
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