20120716Comment.pdf

W, Mayor Tammy de Weerd
L22%4 ERIDIAN$. RECEIVED
City Council Members:
Keith Bird
IDAHO ?01 JUL 16 PM 3: 36 Charles Rountree
David Zaremba
UTILITIES COMMISSION
July 10, 2012
GWE -//-O3
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P 0 Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
Dear Commissioners:
On behalf of the City of Meridian, I am writing in regards to Electric Case GNR-E- 11-03 which
is currently open for public review and comment. This case is of crucial importance to the
overall health of our state's economy and we urge the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC)
to consider the larger impacts -as you decide upon the merits of this case.
We understand that the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) and the tax policies
included in the Energy Policy .Act of 2005 have created numerous small alternative energy
producers which bring along with them a purchase requirement of renewable energy by electrical
utilities such as Idaho Power. This federal mandate is not based upon open market principals or
demands, and these small energy producers have a higher cost that is ultimately passed along to
our citizens and businesses through higher rates. This creates unfortunate consequences for all
consumers and we applaud the IPUC in their action earlier this year which is enabling Idaho
Power to negotiate reasonable contracts with these alternative energy producers
As a state we don't offer as many incentives to new or expanding businesses compared to other
states However, having access to affordable power is an important factor in any equation as
businesses choose to expand or locate in Idaho. Over the last few years the City of Meridian has
had several discussions with businesses who are looking to build or expand in our community
and they point to the favorable electrical rates in Idaho. Based upon these conversations, raising
our lates could have a negative impact on manufacturers or high-energy businesses choosing
Id 4 We urge you to take this impact into consideration during your review of this case
we ask the IPUC to protect consumers from artificially high electrical costs based
mandate and urge a common sense approach to meeting our state's needs in
with federal laws.
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Mayor's Office • 33 E. Broadway Avenue, Meridian, ID 83642
Phone [phone] • Fax [phone] . www.meridiancity.org