20061006Comment.pdf

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RECEIVED
October 5, 2006 2006 OCT -6 AM 8: 29
IDAHO FUfJLiC
UTILITIES COMMISSIOr,J
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise ID 83720-0074
RE: Case No. IPC-06-
Members of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission/Idaho Power Company,
My name is Larry Johnson and I have recently purchased a Jacobs 20 KW wind turbine. The construction was completed
in early May 2006 and began producing electricity on May 22, 2006. To date, I have yet to make more electricity than I
use. Summer is generally not a high wind time of the year. Coming into the Fall and Winter, I anticipate producing more
than my usage.
It has been brought to my attention that Idaho Power is proposing a change in the method currently being used to
calculate the produced power via the net metering program. I am by no means a threat to Idaho Power with the
production of electricity that my turbine may generate. I find it interesting that Idaho Power is out promoting "green
power , how good it is, and that they are in support of it, yet they do not want to pay anyone to utilize green power and
produce electricity for money. Had I known what I know now and all of the ins-and-out, I probably would not have spent
the time and money to purchase a wind turbine to produce electricity.
I have attended meetings in eastern Idaho and several local meetings. I have learned that Idaho is the last state to
utilize wind power and, in my opinion, the electric rate change will stop the installation of future wind turbines in the
State of Idaho. There is a couple in Gooding, Idaho who have purchased a Jacobs Wind Turbine and are waiting for it to
be installed. They are continuing with the project because their wind turbine is on site, they have already paid for it, and
they have a USDA grant for twenty-five percent of the cost. I find it very difficult to justify spending in excess of $70 000
on a wind turbine that I will never be able to recover the costs related to the purchase and installation.
I am greatly opposed to Idaho Power s request to change the distribution of funds and rollover of produced electricity
from one mont~(j another.
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Sincerely, . ~A..fr-
Larry Johnson
16390 State Highway 78
Melba ID 83641
[phone]
cc: Ms. Maggie Britz
Idaho Power Company