20011220Comments.pdf

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p.o. Box 118 Briss, rdaho 83314 Phone: ZoA-35pm4flir$nrcuumiur
Emailirc@idahoruralcouncil,org Website: www.idahoruralcouncil.org
December 17,2001
Idalro Rural Council
P.O. Box I 18
Bliss,Idaho 83314
Commission Secretary
Idalro Public Utilities Cornmission
PO Box 83720
Boise, Idalro 83720-0074
Public Testimony on: IPC-E-0 l -3 8, IPC-E-O 1 -39, and IPC-E-OI.*0
Dear Commissioners
The Idaho Rural Council (IRC) is a grassroots non-profit organization dedicated
to the protection and enhancement of the mal quality of life, the economic well being of
family fams, ranches, small businesses and nrral communities, the presernation of our
natural resoulres and the long term sustainability 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 envhonmentally just. To move Idaho towards such an energy future,
the Idaho Rural Council zupports a viable net metering progr,m for all Idaho utilities.
Such a program will promote distributed and sustainable alternative forrrs of electrical
production such as small-scale wind, photovoltiec and small-scale hydro. A viable net
metering program should enhance the economic incentives for residential customers,
small businesses, schools and irrigators to invest in these type of projects and share in
some ofthe economic benefits that go with electrical production which will be of
significant benefit to the nrral economies ofldaho.
Distributed/alternative electrical production will not only be of economic benefit
to nrral economies, it can vastly alter the volatility of wholesale markets, level out peak
loads and change the frce ofthe transmission iszue. Beyond that there are the
environmental benefits to all Idalro citizens that come from reducing the need for and
demand on centralizd electrical productieq thus opening new possibilities in deal with
fish and climate change iszues.
The Idatro 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
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potential in social, economic and environmental benefit to all Idahoans through
distributed/alternative production and that it should be encouraged not inhibited. The
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The interconnection requirements proposd by Idaho Power are too cumbersome
and expensive. The intenconnection equipment has met the tests and standards of
reliability and safety. While it makes seffrc to have those installations inspected in the
tleginning, it is totally un-necessary to impose the economic burden of annual
inspections. New certification should only be required ifthe system is changed or
repaired.
One ofthe areas of rural economy tbat would benefit the most from a viable net
metering program would be the irrigators. Idaho Power claims that it is too difficult to
net meter custom€rs with demand meters. While it may be more difficult than for
customers with senrice meters, it certainly can't be iryossible and the benefits of such a
program for irrigators would be of great benefit to nual economic viability.
We would ask that the Idaho Public Utilities Cornmission take into serious
consideration in the above matters; IPC-010-38, IPC-01-39 and IPC-0140, these
comments fromthe Idaho Rural Council.
Bill Chisholm
Energy Coordinator
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