20011220IRC Comments_1.pdf

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IRC
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Idaho Rural Cq6mgdlo ff{ ro; 12
Worktng to Prcsertte Rura[ Idaho
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p.o. Box 118 Briss, tdaho 83314 phone: zorarHl4tiEs$o!0tffii{Hr
[e-mail] Websits vvwuidahoruralcouncil.org
December 17,2001
Idatro Rlral Council
P.O. Box l18
Bliss,Idatro 83314
Commissisn SecretarY
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-007 4
Public Testimony on: IPC-E-01-3& IP!C-E{1-39, ad IPC-E-01-40
Dear Commissionem
The Idaho Rural Council ([RC) is a grassroots non-profit organization dedicated
tothe protection and enhancement ofthe rual quality of life, the economic well being of
family farms, ranches, small businesses and mral communities, the preservation of our
natural resounces and the long term su*ainability of the Idaho environment.
IRC supports a conservation and efficiency based energy policy for Idatro that is
safe, reliable, renewable, sustainable and affordable; an energy policy that is socially,
economically and environmentally just. To move Idaho towards such an energy future,
the Idaho Rural Cormcil supports a viable net rnetering progrzm for all Idaho utilities.
Such a prograln will promote distributed and sustainable alternative forrns of electrical
production such as small-scale winq photovoltiec and smal[-ssaL hydro. A viable net
metering progrlm should enhance the economic incentives for residential customers,
small businesses, schools and irrigators to invest in these tne of projects and share in
some of the economic benefits that go with electrical production which will be of
significant benefit to the rural economies ofldaho.
Distributed/dternative electrical production will not only be of economic benefit
to rural economies, it can vastly alter the volatility ofwholesale markets, level out peak
loads and change the frce oftlre transmission iszue. Beyond that there are the
environmental benefits to all Idalro citizens that come from reducrng the need for and
demand on centralized electrical productioq thus opening new possibilities in deal with
fish and climate change issues.
The Idalro Rural Council is opposed to s system wide net metering capacity limit
as proposed by Idaho Power. There should be no limit. We believe there is great
potential in social, economic and environmental benefit to all Idalroans t}rough
distributed/alternative production and that it should be encouraged not inhibited. The
state of Montana has no limits. [La illE brts r rttl tr hl ril ltril] Ltt LfIsluI.tlilLalhlE mrrEt t lFEIroU ilrnrtln tnlrc[rr $ LrtLt
rLfi l.r.fir rn r.t h$ r L. r.lh tt l.lt.
The interconnection requiremeuts proposed by Idaho Power are too cumbersome
and expensive. The interconnection equipment has met the tests and standards of
reliability and safety. While it rnakes sense to have those installations inspected in the
beginning, it is totally un-necessary to impose the economic btrden of annual
inspections. New certification should ooly be required if the system is changed or
repaired.
One ofthe areas ofnral economythat would benefit tle most from a viable net
metering programwould be the irrigators. Idaho Power claims that it is too diffrcuh to
net meter customers with demand meters. While it may be more difficult than for
customers with senice meters, it certainly can't be iryossible and the benefits of such a
progrzrm for irrigators would be of great benefrt to rural economic viability.
We would ask that the Idaho Public Utilities gqmmission take into serious
consideration inthe above matters; IPC-010-38,IPC-01-39 and IPC-01-40, these
comments fromthe Idaho Rural Council.
Bill Chishotn
Energy Coordinator
B,wolr,"l*