20260803Comments_14.pdf

From:Andrea Vako-Graves <[e-mail]>
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2026 3:50 PM
To: secretary<[e-mail]>
Subject: IPC-E-26-04 Gas Plants Public Comment
Dear Idaho Public Utilities Commission,
The construction of the power plants are not environmentally feasible and with the
uncertain future of prices of fuels, a more energy efficient alternative as battery storage
would be a better choice. Once again Idaho Power's greed is shone brightly instead of
having the public's interest in mind.
Please reject Idaho Power's request to construct two new gas plants in southern Idaho.
These gas plants are expensive and risky, with fluctuating and increasing fuel costs into the
future, and are simply not in the public interest.
It is not certain that Idaho Power needs to build these plants as they rely on an uncertain
forecast of energy demands in 2030.
It is unclear Idaho Power can actually operate these gas plants because the pipelines are
full and building new lines is outside of the Company's power to control the timeline or
costs.
Battery storage is more affordable, keeps energy dollars in-state instead of importing gas
supplies, is quick to install, and does not pollute our air. Please put the onus on Big Tech to
build their own expensive energy facilities, and tell Idaho Power to focus on building
affordable, clean, and stable energy projects that don't pollute our air and raise our bills.
Sincerely,
Andrea Vako-Graves
8515 W Pocono St Unit 101
Boise, ID 83714
[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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1

From: Erika Weyand <[e-mail]>
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2026 5:45 PM
To: secretary<[e-mail]>
Subject: IPC-E-26-04 Gas Plants Public Comment
Dear Idaho Public Utilities Commission,
Please reject Idaho Power's request to construct two new gas plants in southern Idaho.
These gas plants are expensive and risky, with fluctuating and increasing fuel costs into the
future, and are simply not in the public interest.
It is not certain that Idaho Power needs to build these plants as they rely on an uncertain
forecast of energy demands in 2030.
It is unclear Idaho Power can actually operate these gas plants because the pipelines are
full and building new lines is outside of the Company's power to control the timeline or
costs.
Battery storage is more affordable, keeps energy dollars in-state instead of importing gas
supplies, is quick to install, and does not pollute our air. Please put the onus on Big Tech to
build their own expensive energy facilities, and tell Idaho Power to focus on building
affordable, clean, and stable energy projects that don't pollute our air and raise our bills.
Sincerely,
Erika Weyand
4005 N DELMONTE DR
Boise, ID 83704
[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].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From:Andrew Kraus <[e-mail]>
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2026 9:00 PM
To: secretary<[e-mail]>
Subject: IPC-E-26-04 Gas Plants Public Comment
Dear Idaho Public Utilities Commission,
I am writing asking that PUC reject Idaho powers request to construct two new gas plans in
2

southern Idaho. I wish to see an Idaho take advantage of all the many renewable resource
power alternatives. I want to encourage PUC to keep our lands clean and encourage the
use of more natural and renewable resources.
Please reject Idaho Power's request to construct two new gas plants in southern Idaho.
These gas plants are expensive and risky, with fluctuating and increasing fuel costs into the
future, and are simply not in the public interest.
It is not certain that Idaho Power needs to build these plants as they rely on an uncertain
forecast of energy demands in 2030.
It is unclear Idaho Power can actually operate these gas plants because the pipelines are
full and building new lines is outside of the Company's power to control the timeline or
costs.
Battery storage is more affordable, keeps energy dollars in-state instead of importing gas
supplies, is quick to install, and does not pollute our air. Please put the onus on Big Tech to
build their own expensive energy facilities, and tell Idaho Power to focus on building
affordable, clean, and stable energy projects that don't pollute our air and raise our bills.
Sincerely,
Andrew Kraus
1004 west royal blvd
Boise, ID 83706
[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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The following comments were submitted via PUCWeb:
Name:William Hentges
Submission Time: Jul 31 2026 8:55PM
Email: tradewindsappraisal0bgmail.com
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 8015 WThunder Mountain Dr
Boise, ID 83709
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Case ID: IPC-E-26-04
3

Comment: "Hello, I would like to add my name to those opposing and natural gas power
plant by Mountain home. Any fossil fuel burn contributes to heat, which is causing the loss
of vegetation, surface water, and ocean warming. Solar is the answer.We don't have to pay
for this sun. The area between Boise and Mountainhome is perfect for solar farms and
pavement. We need to drag the infrastructure out from Boise to Mountainhome and build
subdivisions where we don't grow our food. Some people have got to start thinking
Logically. Power recipients must pay for improvements, full stop, and those improvements
are going to feed industry and data centers. Those users need to be required to pay for their
own power needs not increasing the burden on families. Bring back the energy generation
credits for individual homeowners with solar. Focus on the unlimited supply of power from
the sun, and hydrogen, not the finite supply from the ground. Quit taking the quick fix."
Thank you.
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Name: RANDALL FRENCH
Submission Time: Jul 31 2026 10:40PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 1436 East Lewis Street
BOISE, ID 83712
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Case ID: IPC-E-26-04
Comment: 1 urge the PUC to reject the application in this case. Idaho Power should be
required to install renewable energy sources, specifically including solar power with
battery storage to provide additional generating capacity. The PUC should also require that
Large power users like data centers or any similar projects also at their own cost install
solar power sources and battery storage to provide for their needs.
As Idaho and the PNW suffers through extreme temperatures and ever increasing forest
fires, every addition to carbon based generation facilities just insures continuing and
increasing extreme weather with worsening forest fires. There is no reason why the
currently anticipated increase in demand cannot be met entirely, not partially, by clean
energy and battery storage.
Until the PUC leaves Idaho Power no alternatives, Idaho Power will play the PUC for a fool
and structure every application to create the appearance that this and each succeeding
application cannot be refused. "Show me your budget and I'll tell you your values" applies
in full force with everything Idaho Power has done. It demanded that the PUC reduce the
compensation for rooftop solar earlier this year,which without question and without doubt
reduced the incentive for individuals to install rooftop solar.With proper financial incentive
to homeowners, rooftop solar could have dramatically increased the amount of electricity
produced with homeowners bearing the entire cost of installation and Idaho Power
4

receiving appropriate compensation for its compensation to those rooftop solar
generators. It refused to support a fair level of compensation because rooftop solar does
not sufficiently favor Idaho Power. Idaho Power has refused to present a clean energy
alternative in this application to the PUC and it refuses to plan sufficiently far ahead so as
to give the PUC an opportunity to require a clean energy alternative.
The PUC can stop Idaho Power in its tracks or it can continue to allow Idaho Power to stage
manage every application to present only the picture it wants the PUC to see at any single
point in time. Please protect the consumers by rejecting the applications for these 2 gas
fired turbine generators and force Idaho Power to work for the benefit of its Idaho
customers.
Alternatively, at a minimum, the PUC should require Idaho Power to present a plan for a
utility scale solar power plus battery storage facility with detailed costs estimates. The
PUC should scrutinize that alternative to pick apart the misrepresentations Idaho Power
may salt throughout this alternative to get a true picture of the comparative costs. Once
the PUC has accurate projections for each alternative, the PUC should choose the clean
energy alternative as both cost-competitive and environmentally safe.The PUC should
keep in mind that as it forces Idaho Power to install large scale solar power plus battery
storage facility projects, Idaho Power will gain expertise and find efficiencies that it refuses
to look for now. The PUC can not on its own reverse the current climate change arc, but it
can force Idaho Power to add to the efforts being made by others."
Every little bit helps.
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Name:Wild Idaho Rising Tide
Submission Time: Jul 31 2026 11:40PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 301 N. First Avenue, 209B
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power Company
Case ID: IPC-E-26-04
Comment: "Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720 Boise, Idaho 83720-0074
11331 W. Chinden Boulevard
Building 8, Suite 201-A
Boise, Idaho 83714
July 31, 2026
5

WIRT Comments on Idaho Power Company Application for Certificates of Public
Convenience &amp; Necessity for Peregrine &amp; South Hills Gas Power Plants, Case
IPC-E-26-04 (Part 1)
Sent electronically through the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC) case comment or
question form, as an organizational response intended for Idaho PUC review,
consideration, and public website posting
Filed for the official public record of Idaho Power Company's (IPC) application to the Idaho
Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on March 11, 2026, for Certificates of Public
Convenience and Necessity(utility case number IPC-E-26-04), to invest in and construct
the Peregrine and South Hills"natural"gas (methane) power plants in southern Idaho,
respectively by June 2029 and June 2030, and as upheld by Idaho Code § 74-101 (13), 1
respectfully offer these written comments and accompanying information on behalf of
Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT) and its over 3,000 climate activists, members, friends,
supporters, and allies, as citizens of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and other U.S.
states, who work, reside, and/or own property and/or businesses in and beyond the Idaho
Power Company service area and the lands, air sheds, rivers, and surrounding and
downstream aquifers and watersheds that IPC's Peregrine and South Hills methane gas
power plants application, PUC certificates approval, and infrastructure construction and
operation would directly impact [1-5]. We object to Idaho Power Company's project
invasion and its significant, cumulative impacts on affected communities, critical
ecosystems, public air, water, land, and resources, and private land and water sources
within the tributaries,floodplains, and banks of the Snake and Boise Rivers, as
insufficiently publicly identified and analyzed in IPC's certificates application for case
number IPC-E-26-04, and in pertinent utility, government, and intervenor documents and
accompanying notices offering limited public information,via the Idaho PUC and IPC
website pages.
Thousands of regional WIRT associates, including hundreds of Idaho Power Company
customers, also object to this IPC project's significant, cumulative, direct and indirect,
adverse impacts on climate change, endangered species, cultural resources,
socioeconomic and environmental factors, and reasonable public needs including human
and environmental health and safety, drinking and agricultural water, and private property
values, rights, uses, enjoyment, and insurability. As further public input and information
shared with the Idaho PUC,we incorporate by reference, into this letter of resistance to
PUC approval of certificates for these methane gas plants, the written and oral comments
and linked articles and documents of WIRT and all persons, organizations, and intervenors
raising oppositional concerns about this venture and its applications, certificates, and
procedures relevant to project analyses, presented through all local, state, and federal
public processes before, during, and after potential IPC construction and operation
activities of the South Hills and Peregrine"natural"gas power plants."
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6

Name:Wild Idaho Rising Tide
Submission Time: Jul 31 2026 11:51 PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 301 N. First Avenue, 209B
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power Company
Case ID: IPC-E-26-04
Comment: "WIRT Comments on Idaho Power Company Application for Certificates of
Public Convenience &amp; Necessity for Peregrine &amp; South Hills Gas Power Plants,
Case IPC-E-26-04 (Part 2)
WIRT Perspective on Case IPC-E-26-04 Background
In mid-March 2026, Idaho Power Company(IPC) applied to the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission (PUC)for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity(case number
IPC-E-26-04), to invest in and construct two new methane gas power plants and
accordingly facilitate extra gas pipeline capacity in southern Idaho over the next few years
[1-5]. IPC proposes to build the South Hills plant on the Snake River near Milner, Idaho, to
generate 222 total megawatts of electricity from 12 reciprocating engines by June 2029,
and the Peregrine plant between Boise and Mountain Home, to produce 430 megawatts
from one massive, single-cycle combustion turbine by June 2030. IPC claims that it needs
to make investments now in these resources, to meet peak demands beyond its adequate,
existing system, and due to the long lead times required to obtain gas generation
equipment and additional pipeline capacity. The company forecasts rapid load growth
from committed industrial sites and predicted large-load users.
As the initial, formal step for any utility seeking approval for new infrastructure, IPC is
requesting PUC permission to begin accounting for its spending on these gas plants. If or
when it brings these projects online, IPC will engage another PUC process to recover
project costs from its customers. In the present case, Northwest Energy Coalition and
Renewable Northwest have intervened in opposition, while large-load users Idaho Irrigation
Pumpers Association and computer memory and data storage manufacturer Micron
Technology as well as PUC staff represent various interests [6]. Spring 2026 WIRT searches
yielded little public information about these power plants, beyond the PUC and IPC
websites and industry articles.
Predictably, with most of the climate-wrecking schemes of the oil and gas industry and its
utility enablers, these facilities may manifest the covertly planned destinations for the 80
percent of additional Gas Transmission Northwest (GTN) pipeline methane pushed by TC
Energy through the GTN Xpress expansion toward Idaho, and/or for the products of two
Snake River Oil and Gas wells drilled near the Payette River, the Fruitland city water intake
7

plant, and a dense residential/business area in June and July 2026. Owner of the other
interconnected, regional, methane pipeline network,Williams Companies announced in
May 2026 the proposed Silver Spur expansion of its Northwest pipeline system from Opal,
Wyoming, toward the Northwest, the first phase of its Rockies Columbia Connector
ambitions to add a 90-mile transmission line into Idaho,which could impose 275 million
cubic feet per day of methane by early 2030 [7].
Climate activists collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT) noticed these developments in
April 2026 and has been sharing news, articles, and reflections about the proposed South
Hills and Peregrine methane power plants on our weekly Climate Justice Forum radio
program, broadcast for fourteen years on progressive,volunteer, community station KRFP
Radio Free Moscow[8, 9]. Throughout the last year and over decades, we also continue to
offer public process and direct action support to frontline, Payette County residents
opposed to riverside and residential area gas well drilling. This spring, we were further
shocked to learn that a third methane power plant slipped under the Boise resistance
radar, as the PUC permitted expansion of the Bennett Mountain plant in Mountain Home.
WIRT hopes that all of these overbuilds of soon outdated and defunct fossil fuels
infrastructure in the Idaho high desert do not fuel more remote data centers dreams or
distant, urban electrification of utilities and transportation.
In late May 2026,WIRT alerted the Stop Northwest Gas Expansion (SNGE) coalition about
Idaho Power Company's two-plant proposal, discussed the situation during our meetings,
and suggested inviting attorney Ben Otto, the senior policy associate with the Northwest
Energy Coalition, to talk with us about this PUC quasi-judicial proceeding, so SNGE
coalition member organizations could more actively oppose this (yet another!) Idaho fossil
fuels invasion [10, 11]. After contacting Ben, forwarding conversations to SNGE co-
workers, and urging further organizer arrangements, Ben joined a regular coalition meeting
on Thursday, July 23, and provided an extensive presentation. Topics covered the two
proposed, southern Idaho, gas power plants, insights on PUC decision-making criteria, and
best practices for public input from citizens and organizations."
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Name:Wild Idaho Rising Tide
Submission Time: Jul 31 2026 11:57PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 301 N. First Avenue, 209B
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power Company
Case ID: IPC-E-26-04
8

Comment: "WIRT Comments on Idaho Power Company Application for Certificates of
Public Convenience &amp; Necessity for Peregrine &amp; South Hills Gas Power Plants,
Case IPC-E-26-04 (Part 3)
To raise broad Northwest awareness, outreach, and action against this Idaho Power
Company proposal, SNGE posted a recording and slides of Ben's presentation and
question-and-answer session [12, 13]. WIRT features this discussion on the Wednesday,
July 29, Climate Justice Forum show, between 1:30 and 3 pm Pacific time, on-air at 90.3 FM
and online and archived for two weeks on KRFP [8]. On all of our broadcasts, thanks to
generous, anonymous listeners,we typically describe continent-wide, grassroots, frontline
resistance to fossil fuels projects, the root causes of climate change. WIRT and the Stop
Northwest Gas Expansion coalition greatly appreciate and support through our efforts the
ongoing, important work of Northwest Energy Coalition and Renewable Northwest, to
represent the best interests of Idahoans and Northwesterners to the Idaho PUC. We have
encouraged Idaho Power Company customers and their WIRT and regional allies to email
these organizations with their questions and to comment to the PUC, on this utility case
number IPC-E-26-04.
WIRT Comments on Case IPC-E-26-04
WIRT earnestly urges the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to: 1) Include in the public
record for Idaho Power Company's application for Certificates of Public Convenience and
Necessity(case number IPC-E-26-04) and for related project comment periods these and
all of our written objections and linked citations enclosed in these WIRT comments; 2)
Expand public involvement beyond utility case intervenors, impacted IPC customers, and
commenters considering this gas power plant application; 3) Conduct open, public
hearings and concurrent, extended comment periods among the concerned communities
most affected by this IPC proposal and its application and relevant previous, current, and
potential stakeholder processes, litigation, and state decisions; 4) Better assess the
regional significance, scope, and precedence of the hazardously located Peregrine and
especially South Hills methane gas power plants in southern Idaho, through a revised,
more transparent and explicit, IPC certificates application, and associated public input
processes; 5) Perform a community-preferred, scientifically rigorous, independent,
unbiased, full environmental study and baseline, adjacent water and air quality testing
examining this controversial project; and 6) Delay and deny this unnecessary and harmful,
fossil fuel infrastructure expansion and consequent exploitation of private and public
resources.
WIRT has encouraged and documented public participation in comments and testimony
for this IPC certificates application, by sending and posting issue alerts and recording and
broadcasting the passionate input provided by concerned intervenors [14, 15]. Besides
this outreach, WIRT offers these formal remarks drawn from our 16 years of experience,
knowledge, and direct interests in this and previous, related, fossil fuels infrastructure
applications and successful legal challenges considered at state hearings and in federal
9

courts. This letter of objection to Idaho Power Company methane power plants also arises
from detailed suggestions and guides for possible responses, provided by our colleagues of
Northwest Energy Coalition, Renewable Northwest, the Idaho Chapter of the Sierra Club,
and the Stop Northwest Gas Expansion coalition and project-impacted IPC customers. We
fully support and incorporate by reference into these comments these parties' resistance
to IPC's Peregrine and South Hills gas power plants, which continues to legally bind
proposed and potentially permitted IPC certificate applications. Together, we have
identified the following, described problems with this Idaho Power Company application,
deliberated through case number IPC-E-26-04, which does not adequately evaluate the
risks of these power plants to the surrounding community of life.
*Although the Idaho Public Utilities Commission is accepting written comments until July
31, 2026, it has not currently scheduled a public hearing on this matter. WIRT respectfully
asks for one or more planned public hearings and a concurrent extension of this comment
period, due to the typical, summer vacation travel, agricultural pursuits, and consequent
unavailability of the southern Idaho and eastern Oregon public most essential to
participation in this seminal PUC case. We understand that if enough Idaho Power
Company customers, including the hundreds of WIRT members represented in these
comments, request these hearings and extensions, the PUC could host both appreciated
opportunities for further public input on this IPC proposal."
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Name:Wild Idaho Rising Tide
Submission Time: Aug 1 2026 12:04AM
Email: wild.idaho.rising.tide(agmail.com
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 301 N. First Avenue, 209B
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power Company
Case ID: IPC-E-26-04
Comment: "WIRT Comments on Idaho Power Company Application for Certificates of
Public Convenience &amp; Necessity for Peregrine &amp; South Hills Gas Power Plants,
Case IPC-E-26-04 (Part 4)
* In its decisions, the PUC is primarily concerned with assessing the necessity and public
costs of these Idaho Power Company projects. Has IPC provided verifiable proof to the
PUC of the utility's need for more gas resources? Does the seemingly excessive scale and
scope of these methane power plants fit IPC customer energy needs in the most cost-
effective and reliable ways to achieve demand balances? Most significantly, how does IPC
intend to finance this proposal? Idaho Power Company has not publicly disclosed the huge
costs of these projects or their probably cheaper alternatives.
10

*As IPC stated in other documents, some of its forecasted power needs for these gas
plants speculates that new customers will arrive and that new large-load users will pay for
the infrastructure and resources that they require. IPC and/or big electricity users -- not
Later, Idaho Power Company, residential and small business customers -- should carry the
risk of investing in projects that may prove unnecessary, if new demands do not
materialize.
* IPC's gas power plant scheme imposes multiple risks on Idaho customers,which neither
the PUC nor Idaho Power Company have adequately, directly analyzed. International
conflicts and economies cause fluctuating methane prices and could inflict rising costs on
Later IPC customers, raising serious questions about the cost-effectiveness of gas.
Because the regional methane pipeline network is currently running full, IPC must depend
on outside actors TC Energy and specifically Williams Companies, to build and/or expand
pipelines into Idaho, to supply its proposed plants. Of most concern, pipelines,
compressors, and structures with volatile gas chemicals could explode, and they routinely
release dangerous emissions that pollute local air and water quality and communities and
damage the global climate.
* IPC's Peregrine and South Hills methane power plants encourage construction and
expansions of pipelines to precariously carry gas from the regional Williams Northwest and
GTN transmission lines, under and near public infrastructure and rivers and private
structures in various locations across the Northwest, threatening leaks, accidents, and
wildfires along pipelines, at compressor stations, and within these and other gas plants,
which could contaminate river and irrigation canal water, underground aquifers, private
and municipal water supplies and facilities, and the farms, ranches, and their products
reliant on clean water sourced from wells, canals, and rivers for irrigation.
*This IPC power plant proposal recklessly endangers Idahoans and their economies and
rights,with the senseless rush by Idaho utilities and regulators to push fossil fuel
infrastructure development, which could result in more costs than benefits to Idaho Power
Company customers and all Idahoans, especially during the current, worldwide, oil and
gas struggles and historically high oil and gas prices, which could together force less
expensive, irresponsible, IPC business practices that threaten public and environmental
health and safety and pollute water, air, and soil.
* In this IPC certificate application, Idaho Power Company and the PUC have not properly
examined these power plant projects or considered available, alternative, clean energy
options for sufficient and affordable fuel supplies. This IPC proposal has also not
undergone the necessary scrutiny of a full Request for Proposals and biannual Integrated
Resource Plan processes. In previous resource plans, IPC showed that batteries could
meet the peak electricity demands that it claims it needs these methane power plants to
fulfill. But the company has since asserted that batteries are no longer cost-effective,
despite federal tax incentives that reduce expenses. Instead of gambling on gas plants
during an accelerating energy transition away from them, IPC, like other regional utilities
11

successfully adapting to customer demands, could increase investments in implementing
peak load solutions such as improved customer energy efficiency and demand flexibility,
rooftop solar electricity generation, and battery power storage."
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Name:Wild Idaho Rising Tide
Submission Time: Aug 1 2026 12:09AM
Email: wild.idaho.rising.tide gmail.com
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 301 N. First Avenue, 209B
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power Company
Case ID: IPC-E-26-04
Comment: "WIRT Comments on Idaho Power Company Application for Certificates of
Public Convenience &amp; Necessity for Peregrine &amp; South Hills Gas Power Plants,
Case IPC-E-26-04 (Part 5)
WIRT Request for Idaho PUC Denial of IPC Certificates Application, Case IPC-E-26-04
As the Idaho citizens who employ the Idaho Public Utilities Commission,Wild Idaho Rising
Tide members expect state agency staff to uphold the well-being of Idaho air, waters,
Lands, wildlife, residents, and natural/economic resources, over the profit-driven motives of
the private oil and gas industry and Idaho Power Company's conflicting interests in
revenues from reckless corporate pursuits reliant on Idaho PUC certificates approval, like
IPC's application to invest in, build, and run the Peregrine and South Hills"natural"gas
(methane) power plants in southern Idaho. The plans and practices scarcely publicly
outlined in this proposal ignore and jeopardize the clean water and air and environmental
and human health and safety, not to mention the economic vitality, that predicate
Idahoans'cherished quality of life. State agency decisions and officials paid to serve the
public's best interests should not compromise Idaho laws and rules to accommodate
corporate and industry greed. If this regulatory agency approves these certificates, it
should at least insist that Idaho Power Company bears the risks of this infrastructure soon
becoming cost-ineffective, stranded assets possibly lacking access to inexpensive gas or
any fuel.
Along with growing public outrage, opposition, and pressure against these risky gas plant
ventures, WIRT will continue to encourage and build resistance across the state, through
ongoing, regional presentations and demonstrations, to relentlessly thwart and halt this
and further fossil fuel infrastructure invasions, especially in reaction to obviously
dangerous methane gas power plant construction and operation near essential water
courses and public assets along the Snake River, impacting thousands of farms, ranches,
businesses, and homes in the vicinity and downstream. We ardently request Idaho PUC
12

denial of certificates for the IPC-E-26-04 case application, for the previously stated and
other commenters' reasons.
In accordance with current State of Idaho rules governing IPC-E-26-04 case proceedings,
and considering the inadequacies of public disclosure of Idaho Power Company's
application for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and the aforementioned
and other possible, significant impacts on fresh water supplies, natural resources, public
and private infrastructure, and associated health, social, and economic conditions,we
strongly request that the Idaho PUC responsibly address the concerns and issues raised in
these WIRT comments. For the public record,Wild Idaho Rising Tide asks that the Idaho
PUC reject or at least require revision and extended public review of this IPC certificates
application, to ensure the best stewardship of Idaho's priceless and irreplaceable, public
and private resources,which IPC mismanagement could significantly alter and jeopardize.
WIRT recommends that the Idaho Public Utilities Commission require additional, publicly
accessible, impact evaluations through a revised, IPC certificates application, a full
Request for Proposals, and as part of Integrated Resource Plan processes, all responsive to
herein requested, extended public comment periods and public hearing input. During this
decisive, IPC project review phase, we ask that the Idaho PUC graciously consider and act
in accordance with our and our colleagues' letters and filings of objection, which
substantively address the deficiencies of IPC documents and processes, as we offer the
counterbalance of regional insights so crucial to government and community protection of
economies and water and air sheds essential to lives and livelihoods. Thank you for
accepting our comments on IPC's application for Certificates of Public Convenience and
Necessity(case number IPC-E-26-04)for the Peregrine and South Hills methane power
plants. We intend both to improve IPC applications and to advocate forjustifiably
anticipated State of Idaho rejection of this IPC scheme to further inflict economic, heath,
and safety risks on Idahoans, while reaping the benefits of southern Idaho"natural"gas
and IPC customer exploitation.
With great concern for our fellow citizens and shared economies and natural resources in
Idaho,WIRT appreciates your consideration of these comments and your responses and
actions in congruence with them,
/s/ Helen Yost, MSEE
Wild Idaho Rising Tide
301 N. First Avenue 209B, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864 [e-mail]
Wild Ida hoRisingTide.org Facebook.com/Wild Idaho.RisingTide 208-301-8039"
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Name:Wild Idaho Rising Tide
Submission Time: Aug 1 2026 12:15AM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 301 N. First Avenue, 209B
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power Company
Case ID: IPC-E-26-04
Comment: "WIRT Comments on Idaho Power Company Application for Certificates of
Public Convenience &amp; Necessity for Peregrine &amp; South Hills Gas Power Plants,
Case IPC-E-26-04 (Final Part 6)
[1] Idaho Power Company--Application for Certificates of Public Convenience and
Necessity for the South Hills and Peregrine Power Plants and for an Associated Accounting
Order, March 11, 2026 Idaho Public Utilities Commission
https://puc.idaho.gov/case/Details/7719
[2] Idaho Power Proposes More Gas Plants to Meet Capacity Needs, May 4, 2026 NewsData
https://www.newsdata.com/clearing up/clearingit ua/idaho-power-proposes-more-gas-
plants-to-meet-capacity-needs/article_66a84010-5424-4360-86ea-4a975f9a0bf2.html
[3] Idaho Power Wants to Build Two Natural Gas Power Plants. Here's Where and Why, May
7, 2026 Idaho Statesman
https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/business/articLe3l 5647760.html
[4] Peregrine Energy Center-- Proposed Site, 2026 Idaho Power Company
https://www.idahopower.com/energy-environment/energy/energy-sources/natural-
gas/peregrine-energy-center
[5] South Hills Power Plant, 2026 Idaho Power Company
https://www.idahopower.com/energy-environment/energy/energy-sources/natural-
gas/south-hills-gas-plant
[6] Micron's Plans to Bring Leading-Edge Memory Manufacturing to Idaho, 2026 Micron
https://www.micron.com/us-expansion/id
[7] Quarter 1 Earnings Recap: Data Centers Accelerate New Growth Paths for Williams,
May 5, 2026 Williams Companies https://www.williams.com/2026/05/05/g1-earnings-
recap-data-centers-accelerate-new-growth-paths-for-wiIliams
[8] KRFP Radio Free Moscow
http://radiofreemoscow.org
14

[9]Wild Idaho Rising Tide on AudioPort
https://audioport.org/index.php?op=producer-info&amp;uid=3075
[10] Northwest Energy Coalition advances clean, equitable, and affordable energy policies
by leveraging our analytic expertise and convening a broad alliance of people and
organizations.
https://nwenergy.org
[11] Stop Northwest Gas Expansion Coalition protects our communities in Idaho, Oregon,
and Washington from the health, safety, and climate threats of methane gas. We are an
alliance of public health, faith, and environmental organizations as well as community
members committed to: 1) exposing the truth about the harms to our health and safety
caused by toxic and explosive"natural"gas, 2) stopping the expansion of gas supply,
including increases in gas pipeline pressure, to prevent harm, 3) uniting impacted
communities to hold industry and government accountable.
https://www.stopgas.org
[12] Northwest Energy Coalition on Idaho Power Company Gas Plants, July 23, 2026 Stop
Northwest Gas Expansion Coalition (online presentation recording)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/135XYM19MaecWjdg3Sv1YKLLHvrcvyLpi/view
[13] Idaho Power Application for New Gas Generation, July 23, 2026 Northwest Energy
Coalition (online presentation slides) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1 BE_LOPDyj6Sp2HTc-
682p GhXP8yOO8z/view
[14] Oppose Two New Idaho Methane-Powered Plants by July 31, July 29, 2026 Wild Idaho
Rising Tide
https://wiLdidahorisingtide.org/2026/07/29/oppose-two-new-idaho-methane-powered-
plants-by-July-31
[15] Case Comment or Question Form, 2026 Idaho Public Utilities Commission
https://puc.idaho.gov/Form/CaseComment"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Paul Thompson <[e-mail]>
Sent: Saturday, August 1, 2026 1:10 PM
To: secretary<[e-mail]>
Subject: IPC-E-26-04 Gas Plants Public Comment
Dear Idaho Public Utilities Commission,
Instead of encouraging development of dirty and expensive fossil fuel energy sources, PUC
should press Idaho Power to return to fair net metering rates to encourage more
15

homeowners, farmers and ranchers to invest in clean energy sources that could put
electricity back into the grid. PUC has done nothing to stand up to the abusive practices of
Idaho Power's monopoly and its time you did.
Please reject Idaho Power's request to construct two new gas plants in southern Idaho.
These gas plants are expensive and risky, with fluctuating and increasing fuel costs into the
future, and are simply not in the public interest.
It is not certain that Idaho Power needs to build these plants as they rely on an uncertain
forecast of energy demands in 2030.
It is unclear Idaho Power can actually operate these gas plants because the pipelines are
full and building new lines is outside of the Company's power to control the timeline or
costs.
Battery storage is more affordable, keeps energy dollars in-state instead of importing gas
supplies, is quick to install, and does not pollute our air. Please put the onus on Big Tech to
build their own expensive energy facilities, and tell Idaho Power to focus on building
affordable, clean, and stable energy projects that don't pollute our air and raise our bills.
Sincerely,
Paul Thompson
11553 W CAMAS ST
BOISE, ID 83709
[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].
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Cooweescoowee Steffen <[e-mail]>
Sent: Saturday, August 1, 2026 2:23 PM
To: secretary<[e-mail]>
Subject: IPC-E-26-04 Gas Plants Public Comment
Dear Idaho Public Utilities Commission,
No new gas plants.We need renewables!
Please reject Idaho Power's request to construct two new gas plants in southern Idaho.
These gas plants are expensive and risky, with fluctuating and increasing fuel costs into the
future, and are simply not in the public interest.
16

It is not certain that Idaho Power needs to build these plants as they rely on an uncertain
forecast of energy demands in 2030.
It is unclear Idaho Power can actually operate these gas plants because the pipelines are
full and building new lines is outside of the Company's power to control the timeline or
costs.
Battery storage is more affordable, keeps energy dollars in-state instead of importing gas
supplies, is quick to install, and does not pollute our air. Please put the onus on Big Tech to
build their own expensive energy facilities, and tell Idaho Power to focus on building
affordable, clean, and stable energy projects that don't pollute our air and raise our bills.
Sincerely,
Cooweescoowee Steffen
739 , Dogwood St
Pocatello, ID 83201
coowee53Ca)gmail.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(asierraclub.org or [phone].
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Gary Richardson <[e-mail]>
Sent: Saturday, August 1, 2026 4:50 PM
To: secretary<[e-mail]>
Subject: IPC-E-26-04 Gas Plants Public Comment
Dear Idaho Public Utilities Commission,
Welcome to the 21 st century. It's time to stop burning hydrocarbons. EGS, enhanced
geothermal systems like Fervo's, can deliver clean, cheap baseload power from the Earth's
molten core by tapping 200-degree C heat to turn your turbines. Be energy pioneers again!
Please reject Idaho Power's request to construct two new gas plants in southern Idaho.
These gas plants are expensive and risky, with fluctuating and increasing fuel costs into the
future, and are simply not in the public interest.
It is not certain that Idaho Power needs to build these plants as they rely on an uncertain
forecast of energy demands in 2030.
17

It is unclear Idaho Power can actually operate these gas plants because the pipelines are
full and building new lines is outside of the Company's power to control the timeline or
costs.
Battery storage is more affordable, keeps energy dollars in-state instead of importing gas
supplies, is quick to install, and does not pollute our air. Please put the onus on Big Tech to
build their own expensive energy facilities, and tell Idaho Power to focus on building
affordable, clean, and stable energy projects that don't pollute our air and raise our bills.
Sincerely,
Gary Richardson
746 N Santa Paula Ct
Boise, ID 83712
garyerichardson6l9mail.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 [e-mail] or [phone].
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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