20250822Comment_1.pdf

The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Anton Korzh
Submission Time: Aug 22 2025 11:11AM
Email: anton korzh.us
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 898 E Joplin Ln
Eagle, ID 83616
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Case ID: IPC-E-25-16
Comment: "Subject: Opposition to Proposed Monthly Fixed Cost Increase in Case No. IPC-
E-25-16 Dear Idaho Public Utilities Commission, I am writing to strongly oppose the
proposed increase in the residential service charge from $15 to $25 per month as part of
Idaho Power Company's 2025 General Rate Case (IPC-E-25-16). As a residential customer
who installed rooftop solar panels in 2022, 1 have already seen my ability to offset utility
costs eroded by previous rate changes, and this proposal would further undermine the
financial viability of my solar investment.
When I installed my solar system in 2022, the monthly fixed charge was $10, and the
average export credit rate was approximately 10 cents per kWh. To cover the $10 monthly
charge, I needed to export about 100 kWh per month, which represented roughly 7.5% of
my total annual solar production of approximately 16,000 kWh.
Today, with the fixed charge at$15 and an average export rate of about 6 cents per kWh, I
must export around 250 kWh per month to offset the charge, amounting to about 19% of
my annual production. This has already significantly reduced the benefits of my solar
system.
If the proposed $25 fixed charge is approved, assuming the current 6 cents per kWh export
rate, I would need to export approximately 417 kWh per month, or about 32% of my total
production,just to cover the fixed costs. Furthermore, if the export credit rate is reduced to
around 2 cents per kWh as proposed in the related case (IPC-E-25-15), I would have to
export an staggering 1,250 kWh per month—equaling about 95% of my entire solar
generation—solely to pay these monthly charges. This effectively turns my solar investment
into a subsidy for Idaho Power, as the utility would profit from my exported energy while
charging exorbitant fixed fees that bear no relation to actual service usage.
This proposal amounts to nothing short of robbery, penalizing solar adopters and
discouraging renewable energy adoption in Idaho. I intend to lobby federal authorities for
punitive actions against such utility practices, including advocating for a 1000%federal tax
on the profits utilities make nationwide from exported solar energy.
Moreover, if this $25 fixed charge is approved, I plan to install additional solar panels and
batteries to fully disconnect my home from Idaho Power's grid, avoiding these unjustified
costs entirely. This would not only remove me as a customer but also deprive the utility of
any potential benefits from my excess generation.
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I urge the Commission to reject this fixed charge increase and protect Idaho ratepayers
who have invested in clean energy.Thank you for considering my comments."
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