20150610Comment.pdf

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—Doing We Can
Citizen ClimateAction
doingwhatwecan.org
June 10,2015 ur
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
Attn:Jean Jewell,Commission Secretary
472 W.Washington
Boise,ID $3702
RE:IPUC Case Nos.IPC-E-15-01,AVU-E-15-01,and PAC-E-15-03 /Public Comment
To the Commissioners of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission:
I write on behalf of Doing What We Can,an Idaho-based citizen action group recently organized
to fight climate change.Our growing membership includes Idaho residents and also residents of
Arizona,New York,Illinois,and Oregon with ties to Idaho.Our organization wishes to provide
comment in the consolidated cases before the Commission,Case Nos.IPC-E-15-01,AVU-E-15-
01,and PAC-E-15-03.
We are concerned that limiting contracts under PURPA to two years,as sought by the petitioners,
will impede,or even effectively eliminate the development of solar energy in Idaho,and possibly
other forms of green energy as well.Solar energy projects require longer-duration contracts in
order to attract investors.We believe that furthering solar and other forms of green energy is
essential to the health of Idaho citizens and the economy of Idaho,in view of climate change,
which has reached a crisis level.
We believe that at this juncture in the progression of climate change,it is imperative that we listen
to the scientists.According to the Union of Concerned Scientists,global warming is already having
harmful effects on our communities,our health,and our climate.http://www.ucsusa.org/our-
work/global-warming/science-and-irnpacts/global-warming-impacts#.VXeJ 7-9fBow.Such
effects include rising sea level,increases in the number and size of wildfires and dangerous heat
waves,extreme storm events including heavy precipitation and flooding,and severe droughts.The
recently published book Climate Change in the Northwest,Implications for Our Landscapes
Waters and Communities (Oregon Climate Change Research Institute)Island Press (2013),written
by experts,including scientists and university professors,paints a dismal picture of the future of
the Northwest if climate change continues unchecked.Similar to the conclusions of the Union of
Concerned Scientists,Climate Change in the Northwest projects an increase in heat extremes;
hydrologic impacts on reservoir systems,hydropower production,irrigated agriculture,freshwater
aquatic systems and water-dependent recreation;negative impacts on forest health and
Doing What We Can /Public Comment
Consolidated Case Nos.IPC-E-15-01,AVU-E-15-01,and PAC-E-15-03
June 10,2015
Page 2
fish survival;increased wildfires and heat waves;an increase in morbidity and mortality of humans
due to heat-related illness,extreme weather hazards,air pollution and allergenic disease
exacerbation;and emergence and exacerbation of infectious diseases.Id.,“Executive Summary,”
pp.xix-xl.This excellent book reports numerous efforts in Oregon and Washington to limit fossil
fuel emissions to combat climate change,as well as to assist citizens and communities in adapting
to climate change,but is hauntingly silent on efforts in Idaho to do our part to combat climate
change.
Most scientists agree that rising C02 levels in the atmosphere,now globally at 400 ppm,far in
excess of the 350 ppm considered “safe”for human life (See
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/20 14/07/01 /3455026/400-ppm-carbon-dioxide-three-months/).
are moving us toward a future where life on Earth is increasingly at risk.To avoid this catastrophe,
global carbon emissions must fall 40-70%from 2010 levels and to 0%by 2100.
(Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC))http://phys.org/news/201 5-06-path-
ernerges-thorn-clirnate.html.Electricity as currently generated contributes 31%of greenhouse gas
emissions.http://www.epa.gov/clirnatechange/ghgemissions/sources/electric ity.html.As a
significant step toward solving the climate crisis,we must immediately expand green energy (such
as wind and solar)for generating electricity,not discourage and impede its production by limiting
the duration of energy contracts in Idaho to a time-period that makes such contracts non-viable.
The above-referenced consolidated cases currently before the Commission provide an opportunity
to take a significant step forward in addressing climate change by furthering,rather than impeding,
the expansion of green energy in Idaho.Doing What We Can urges the Commission to deny the
electric utilities’requests to limit contracts under PURPA to two years or other uiireasonable time
period.Surely a way can be found to address the electric utilities’reasonable concerns in ways
that do not limit the expansion of green energy in Idaho,which is crucial to a sustainable future.
The future of our children and our grandchildren,not to mention ourselves,hangs in the balance.
Sincerely,
DOTNWHATW CAN
Alyson ene’Marti D
Climate Reality Leader/Climate Reality Project,and
Founder:Doing What We Can