20250602Comment_1.pdf

The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Brandon Van Walraven
Submission Time: Jun 1 2025 3:34PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 3936 E 132 N
Rigby, ID 83442
Name of Utility Company: Rocky Mountain Power
Case ID: PAC-E-25-02
Comment: "I am writing to express **strong opposition**to Rocky Mountain Power's
proposed changes to Schedule 136, which will**negatively impact homeowners utilizing
clean energy systems**, including**solar, wind, and battery storage**.
As a homeowner who installed **rooftop solar in 2023**without battery storage, I rely on
**fair compensation for excess energy generation**to make my investment financially
viable. This proposal will**reduce the export credit rate** significantly, making it**harder
to offset electricity costs and recover installation expenses**. Additionally, I bought my
home in **June 2020**, when clean energy adoption was becoming a more viable financial
decision, but these proposed changes will**undermine that investment** and discourage
future homeowners from making similar choices.The **reduction in compensation**,
**annual rate fluctuations**, and **limitations on customer-generated power**will
**disrupt long-term planning**, discourage new adoption, and hurt Idaho's clean energy
industry.
###**1. Negative Impact on Residential Clean Energy Customers**
- **Lower Export Credit Rate Reduces Financial Viability**
-The **drop to 5.96 cents/kWh** ([source: Rocky Mountain Power Application, PAC-E-25-
02](https://1f-puc.idaho.gov)) significantly**reduces compensation for all forms of clean
energy generation**—not just solar.
- Homeowners producing**wind energy** or utilizing**hybrid systems**will also receive
**less financial return**, increasing their reliance on traditional grid electricity.
- **Battery Storage Users Receive No Direct Benefit**
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- Many clean energy customers **do not yet have battery storage** and rely on **selling
excess power to the grid** at fair rates.
-The **reduced compensation for excess power** discourages homeowners from
adopting**hybrid energy solutions** (such as **solar plus wind plus storage**)to
maximize clean energy usage.
###**2. Barriers for Future Clean Energy Adopters**
- **Weaker Incentives for New Installations**
-These changes **reduce financial motivation**for homeowners considering**wind
turbines, solar panels, or battery storage** as part of their energy strategy.
-The **longer payback period** makes **clean energy investments less accessible**,
hurting adoption rates statewide.
- **Annual Rate Fluctuations Create Uncertainty**
- Rocky Mountain Power will**update the export credit rate everyyear**, meaning clean
energy users **cannot reliably predict savings**.
- Homeowners need **long-term stability**to confidently invest in **renewable energy**,
and this proposal**adds unnecessary financial risk**.
###**3. Harm to Local Clean Energy Businesses**
- **Reduced Demand for Clean Energy Installations**
-The weakened financial incentives **slow adoption**, leading to **less demand for
installation services** across **solar, wind, and battery storage industries**.
- Idaho-based clean energy businesses—including**local installers, system integrators,
and maintenance providers**—may**struggle or shut down** due to fewer residential
customers.
- **Economic Harm to Small and Medium-Sized Installers**
- Large energy corporations can **absorb policy shifts**, but**small-scale clean energy
businesses** depend on **consistent residential adoption**.
-Without**strong financial incentives**, homeowners may**avoid or delay clean energy
upgrades**, further**damaging Idaho's clean energy economy**.
- **Challenges in Maintaining Existing Clean Energy Systems**
-A**reduced labor force** in the clean energy sector will make it **harder for
homeowners to find qualified technicians**for**repairs, upgrades, and routine
maintenance**.
- Many installation companies also **handle system monitoring, inverter replacements,
and battery maintenance**—services that may become **less accessible** if businesses
close or scale back operations.
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-The **I nternation a I Energy Agency(I EA)**warnsthat**clean energy industries face
growing skilled labor shortages**, particularly in **solar PV, wind, and battery storage**
- Homeowners with **existing solar or wind systems** may experience **longer wait times
for repairs**, **higher service costs**, or**difficulty finding replacement parts** due to
**supply chain disruptions**
###**Conclusion**
The proposed changes to Schedule 136 create **unfair financial burdens**for**current
and future clean energy homeowners**. They**undermine Idaho's progress toward
renewable energy**, **harm local businesses**, and **increase reliance on traditional grid
power**.
I urge the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to **reject this proposal** and support
**policies that ensure fair compensation**for all**residential clean energy users**, while
protecting Idaho's clean energy industry and homeowners who have invested in
sustainable solutions. "
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