20110314Comments.pdf

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March 9th; 2011
Idaho Public-Utilties Commission
P.O Box 83720
. Boise, ID 83720-074
Fax [phone] , ,
RE: Casè Nos IPC-E-1O-59 and ,,60 Ordèr No 32190 Delco Wind power Projects.
Deår'Commissioners, ,
I am an Idàho farmer in Madison County,with family 'in the Raft River are. I ~m also a shareholder in
Idaho Power Company bùt my interest iA the two Delco wind power projects is only to see that the
ranchers/developers rèceive 'tairtreatment from idaho Pbwer. '
Myunderst¡:nding is that these farmers and ranchers h~ve risked mùchto develop windpower on their
lands, hoping to' stabilze agricultural incomè, increase local tax rèvenues, create jobs, and provide clean
power for Idaho.
,
By reading the website, i see that they signed the power contracts prior to the December 14, 2010 ,
retróactive- date of the IPUC Order. It was Idaho Power who evidently delayed signing until December
14.
, ) ,
Please carefully considerthe ethical business trealment ofthese consCientious Idatlo ranchersin coming~ " .. '-
, to your decision.I ,
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Jean Jewell
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
bbbartlett4~gmail.com
Friday, March 11, 2011 8:59 AM
Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness
PUC Comment Form
A Comment from Ben Bartlett follows:
Case Number: IPC-10-E-59/IPC-10-E-60
Name: Ben Bartlett
Address:
City: Declo
State: Idaho
Zip:
Daytime Telephone: [phone] (cell)
Contact E-Mail: bbbartlett~gmail.com
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Acknowledge: acknowledge
Please describe your comment briefly:
It is my privilege to introduce myself to the Idaho Public Utility Commission. Thank you
for the service you have rendered over the years to the local community. My name is Ben
Bartlett, owner of Rainbow Ranch, about ten miles east of Burley on either side of Interstate
86.
About seven years ago we became a part of this community. Motivated by the wide open country
and friendly families , it was stimulating and a blessing for us to find such a great fit.
There's not too many places left in this world that one can move in and instantly feel
welcomed and accepted as part of a large family with similar values.
My original roots stem from a ranching and farming background built around a tradition of
hard work. Although the returns financially were somewhat frugal, the rewards overall were
worth the journey.
Rainbow Ranch gave hope to become a cattle ranch full of life and adventure. Like most of us
out there, I was not born or left with money. Orphaned at age 14, my lifelong dream was to
own a place that I could call my own. I only express this so that it is understood that this
place represents not just a dream, but a man's heart and vision. Our greatest expectations
were met with a collapsing economy, and an array of unusual events. Trucks, welders, and
solar panels for water wells were stolen. Cattle were taken right out of Our corrals, along
with many other things not worth listing. The one common denominator that was recognizable
each and every time I was at the ranch was that the wind was always blowing. Looking back, I
know without a doubt, that the Lord was trying to get my attention many
times. ttWhat if the perpetuating wind could be harnessed?" I asked.
Strangely enough a twenty meter tower that was thought to be a radio tower, turned out to be
a wind anemometer that had been collecting data for several years. The Lord began to reveal
a purpose for Rainbow Ranch: a wind farm that provides green energy for a struggling
society, jobs, education opportunity, and a future that spells WE MADE A DIFFERENCE. It's
time for us as a society to do our part and become proactive. This beautiful land, given to
us by the Lord, is resourceful by His creative design.
In the great state of Idaho we have an incredible resource of wind that blows across our
plains as well as extended days of sunlight for potential solar energy. Thermal water for
hydrothermal energy is also readily available. Let's not be a generation that stands aside
without motivation, unwilling to make a substantial contribution towards the future of such a
great country.
We have turned a cold shoulder to innovative ideas. Using fossil fuels as an energy resource
produce billions of tons of carbon dioxide, polluting our atmosphere. This community can
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make a difference for our children's children and begin to think outside our individual
paradigms. This great country that we are so blessed to inhabit has become complacent.
I believe with all my heart that these projects will be a huge stimulant for our local
communi ty. The property taxes alone on projects such as these would provide millions of
dollars in revenue over the years. There should be no opposition that stands in the way of
such a fabulous opportunity.
An application and Power Purchase Agreement for each project, Rainbow West Wind and Rainbow
Ranch Wind was signed by each partner on or before December 14, 2010. That date represented
a commission ordered eligibility cap which changed requirements concerning PPAs with wind
projects. Two days later, on December 16th Idaho Public decided to get around to submitting
the application agreement which clearly placed each project outside the 14th deadline date.
It seems Idaho Power manipulated a very sensitive deadline. I truly hope and pray that I'm
wrong in my assumptions of what is going on here.
Our president and federal government goals state that 30% of our total energy sources need to
come from green renewables in the near future.
Of that 30%, 20% is specifically supposed to come from wind energy.
Why does it seem that there is opposition to adapt to our country's focused objective?
Rainbow Ranch Wind and Rainbow West Wind are keys to our future generation's prosperity.
I appeal to the Idaho Power Utility Commission to lend a sensitive ear to all the
rami fications at stake here and approve the Power Purchase Agreements.
Sincere regards,
Ben Bartlett
Rainbow Ranch
The form submitted on http://www.puc.idaho.gov/forms/ipucl/ipuc.html
IP address is 174.31.96.85
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Jean Jewell
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
vLwood~yahoo.com
Monday, March 14, 20118:14 AM
Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness
PUC Comment Form
A Comment from Violeta Wood follows:
Case Number: 1fc.- E- ¡O~b1 ß,J -to
Name: Violeta Wood
Address:
City: Boise
State: ID
Zip:
Daytime Telephone:
Contact E-Mail: viwood~yahoo.com
Name of Utility Company:
Acknowledge: acknowledge
Please describe your comment briefly:
Please approve the purchase agreements for the Rainbow Ranch Wind and Rainbow Ranch West Wind
renewable energy projects. There are several excellent reasons for your approval but some of
the most important are :
. These projects can receive Federal Tax Incentives and if successful will bring Federal Tax
Dollars back to Idaho instead of giving them to other states.
. Idaho community land owners benefit from project ownership and their communities benefit
from employment provided by the projects. Idaho wind energy development encourages renewable
energy industries to locate in Idaho given its central location surrounded by renewable
energy rich states of Oregon , Utah , Washington , Wyoming and Montana .
. The IPUC's interest in serving the rate payers of Idaho Power and other power companies in
Idaho is best served if these wind energy projects are approved. The long term benefit of
renewable energy to Idaho is clear and your approval of these projects is vitally important
to Idaho's secure and sustainable energy future.
The form submitted on http://www.puc.idaho.gov/forms/ipuc1/ipuc.html
IP address is 96.18.111.189
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