20120813Comment.pdf

Jean Jewell
From: mpsranchgmaU.com
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 5:15 AM
To: Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness
Subject: PUC Comment Form
A Comment from Guy Burnham follows:
Case Number: GNR-E-11-03
Name: Guy Burnham
Address: 12030 savage dr
City: boise
State: Id
Zip: 83713
Daytime Telephone: [phone]
Contact E-Mail: mpsranch(gmaIl.com
Name of Utility Company: Idaho power
Acknowledge: acknowledge
Please describe your comment briefly:
Gentlemen:
As an Idaho resident, customer, and follower of new energy technologies I would like you to
consider the following points regarding this case.
First, I think Idaho Power doth protest too much as they say. It complains of the cost and
unreliability of wind energy. Given the small fraction of power it buys from these sources
the effect is over stated. Dealing with a variable supply is a technology issue and any
problems with that reflect a lack of foresight and investment by IP. It reminds me of the
first city light system designers who believed that variable demand would destroy the
generating system and advocated for no customer control of thier lights! Also , the shift to
gas plants enhances peaking response. I would like to see Idaho move to more investment in
smart metering and load deferal technology. This will solve many of the variable supply and
peaking issues and position us for the future.
Second, although I think Idaho Power is largely backward looking and foot dragging, they do
have some cause to complain. I support the intent of PURPA to level the playing field against
such large inflexible interest but I recognize the danger of skewing the playing field too
far the other way. The wind industry in particular probably needs to slow up a bit in order
not to overshoot a reasonable growth rate. This can be done with minor adjustments to avoided
cost rates or in other subtle ways and does not require tossing out PURPA. Please act
cautiously!
Third, I firmly believe that we will not achieve a rational energy system without long term
stability of costs and rewards for providers and transparent options for consumers. IPUC can
serve both ends by supporting PURPAs intent and seeking stability so that investment can flow
to both new and existing sources and by encouraging visibility of total costs to consumers
and encouraging IP to invest in more choices on the load side via smart meters and
interactive appliances. By total cost I mean system life cycle costs which acknowledge,
health, environemental, legal, waste, decommissioning and all the other costs that are rarely
talked about up front and cost us indirectly in taxes or other ways.
Thank you,
The form submitted on httv://www.puc.idaho.gov/forms/ipuci/ipuc.html
IP address is 96.18.129.90
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