20130319Comments (8 Total).pdf

March 19, 2013 U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL
IDAHO CHAPTER
To: Idaho Public Utilities Commission
i. .
From: U.S. Green Building Council Idaho Chapter -
PO Box 626
Boise, ID 83701 tn-
T1
Subject: Idaho Power Company Filing IPC-E-12-27 H
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Summary: We believe the proposal to change Idaho Power's net metering program unc*minft
Idahoan's ability to generate their own power and unfairly penalizes a very small portion of rate
payers whose onsite solar generation benefits the entire electricity grid during peak demand
times.
USGBC Idaho urges the commission to eliminate the system wide cap on Idaho Power's net
metering program and reject the proposed rate changes for net metering customers.
The U.S. Green Building Council Idaho Chapter seeks to promote energy efficient design, building,
construction and operation through education and community engagement. Our organization is
made up of a diverse group of individuals and companies in the development industry ranging from
architects, landscape designers, engineers, contractors, government officials, product
manufacturers, students, developers, interior designers, building operators, appraisers, real estate
agents, and more.
USGBC Idaho advocates for energy efficiency and distributed renewable energy in new construction
and renovation in the residential, commercial, and public sectors because making our precious
kilowatts go further is still cheaper than generating and distributing additional energy. In addition,
there are significant societal and rate payer benefits to increased energy efficiency and renewable
energy. USGBC Idaho would like to see more "net zero" homes and commercial buildings built and
the proposed fee structure makes renewable energy less cost effective for a majority of potential
net metering systems.
The size of Idaho Power's net metering program is small at this juncture so we encourage increasing
the cap on how many customers can join the program, or eliminating the cap altogether. We also
believe net metering customers are providing value to Idaho Power's electrical grid and to rate
payers as a whole due to the match of peak demand and peak generation by solar net metering
customers.
The solar installation industry and small scale renewable energy industry (micro hydro and wind) in
Idaho is just beginning to expand and as advocates for green building USGBC Idaho is supportive of
growth in that industry to serve growing interest from the public, businesses and Idaho schools. A
robust and progressive net metering policy would help create jobs and stimulate economic
development in Idaho and expand Idahoan's energy choices and ability to invest in energy
independence and stability.
By reducing the financial benefits of investing in onsite renewable energy for homes, businesses,
government buildings or schools, Idaho Power's proposed net metering policy changes will severely
cripple investment in this growth industry as well as limit energy choices for rate payers. USGBC
Idaho supports a robust net metering program because we believe it will strengthen the power grid
for our region and as the program grows it can help reduce the utility's need to purchase expensive
power on the open market to meet high peak demand.
The proposed tariff structure is unfair to net metering customers. All customers using the same
amount of electricity from Idaho Power should be billed the same amount and the proposed
changes unfairly place a disproportionate burden upon net metering customers who are also
providing value to the power grid and to fellow rate payers. It is also unfair to existing net metering
customers who installed systems under the current rules that made economic sense and risk having
their investments in renewable energy devalued by these proposed unfair rules.
The proposed tariff structure is bad public policy because it discourages energy efficiency and
conservation. The larger the part of the bill that comes from fixed costs and the less the part that
comes from per variable kwh charges, the less financial incentive the customer has to reduce
consumption. The USGBCI encourages the consistent policy direction from the Idaho PUC that
encourages energy efficiency and conservation. The proposed fee structure disincentives energy
efficiency and conservation and goes against previous Idaho PUC precedents in setting good public
policy.
Energy Security and Grid Stability
Moving towards a more distributed energy system versus building more centralized generation
capacity and the necessary transmission capacity will help create a more stable and secure future
for Idaho's energy infrastructure and communities. We know that building and maintaining
transmission is a huge cost and has a lot of risk associated with it due to potential vulnerability to
storms, fires, and potential domestic attacks. Distributed energy generation that a robust net
metering policy would encourage would help move Idaho towards a more secure and stable energy
future.
The proposed net metering changes fail to recognize the benefits of peak load reduction. Idaho
Power's peak load occurs in the summer and they have recognized the benefit of curbing peak load
in the past through programs affecting air conditioning and irrigation. Solar power is at a maximum
in summer afternoons and matches up well with peak demand times in summer afternoons when
irrigators are pumping and air conditioning is in high use. There is also benefit in that Idaho Power
can purchase summer solar through net metering customers at a fixed known cost per kwh as
opposed to buying energy on the unpredictable and volatile summer spot market or through
building expensive new peaking generation facilities. This is a benefit to all ratepayers since all class
rates go up when Idaho Power builds an expensive plant or purchases expensive power on the spot
market.
We urge the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to reject the proposed fee structure while eliminating
the cap on the net metering program capacity. We sincerely hope the Idaho PUC will direct Idaho
Power to develop a new robust net metering program proposal that encourages small scale
distributed renewable energy generation and is fair to all customers that doesn't have negative
unintended consequences for energy efficiency and conservation efforts.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Regards,
Charlie Woodruff
USGBC Idaho Chapter Executive Director Mark Fledderjohann
USGBC Idaho Board Chair
Jean Jewell
From: kadensinclair©gmail.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2013 6:08 AM
To: Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness
Subject: PUC Comment Form
A Comment from Kaden Sinclair follows:
Case Number: IPC-E-12-27
Name: Kaden Sinclair
Address: 1750 Hill Terrace Lane
City: Boise
State: ID
Zip: 83702
Daytime Telephone: [phone],
Contact E-Mail: kadensinclair(grnail . corn
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Acknowledge: acknowledge
Please describe your comment briefly:
The Idaho Power proposal to raise the rates applied to solar generated power and to eliminate
any credit carryover after December of each year is concerning to me. I installed a 3KW solar
power installation at my home and I still draw from the grid. However, I find this proposal
disconcerting, as it provides no reasoning behind the changes. It stifles solar power
deployments and innovation, and robs those persons who have installed a system that generates
overages of proper credits. Unlike wind power, solar power generates at the peak times of the
day, when energy is most useful and when Idaho Power benefits the most from additional
production.
This proposal discourages renewable energy changes on the consumer level and is coming from a
power monopoly, where no market forces afford protection. The cost of implementing such a
system is partially offset by the amount regained via credits. Reducing this retroactively
changes the cost of the consumer to repay the system installation.
I strongly object to this change and urge the IPUC to intervene and protect the citizens of
Idaho from these changes.
The form submitted on http://www.puc.idaho.gov/forms/ipucl/ipuc.html
IP address is 66.232.64.4
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Jean Jewell
From: [e-mail]
Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2013 4:13 AM
To: Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness
Subject: PUC Comment Form
A Comment from David follows:
Case Number: IPC-E-12-27
Name: David
Address:
City: Boise
State: ID
Zip:
Daytime Telephone:
Contact E-Mail: dw(@dwdesignsco.com
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Acknowledge: acknowledge
Please describe your comment briefly:
I am strongly opposed to any financial disadvantage that discourages individual or corporate
entities utilizing alternative energy sources. Idaho Power customers should not be penalized
for producing their own electricity. Our state, like many others is faced with a growing
energy crisis and needs to be focused on promoting new and innovative ways to produce clean
energy.
The form submitted on http -//www.puc.idaho.pov/forms/ipuci/
`€ipuc.html
IP address is 96.18.227.238
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Jean Jewell
From: [e-mail]
Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2013 2:58 AM
To: Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness
Subject: PUC Comment Form
A Comment from Denise Dunlap follows:
Case Number: IPC-E-12-27
Name: Denise Dunlap
Address: 1573 S Rovian St
City: Boise
State: IDAHO
Zip: 83705
Daytime Telephone:
Contact E-Mail: ltldevl(@hotmail.com
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Acknowledge: acknowledge
Please describe your comment briefly:
Idahoans should not be discouraged nor punished for seeking alternative energy sources.
Idaho Power's proposal to increase rates on such customers only serves to reduce competition
and increase dependency on their service. We hear all the time about the growing energy
crisis - Idaho Power should be encouraging customers to seek alternatives rather than raising
rates.
The form submitted on http://www.puc.idaho.gov/forms/ipuci/
``
ipuc.html
IP address is 173.226.195.18
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Jean Jewell
From: clbwfb©gmail.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2013 2:12 AM
To: Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness
Subject: PUC Comment Form
A Comment from Bill Boyer follows:
Case Number: IPC-E-12-27
Name: Bill Boyer
Address: 2748 N Terrace Way
City: Boise
State: Idaho
Zip: 83702
Daytime Telephone: [phone]
Contact E-Mail: clbwfb(gmail.com
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Acknowledge: acknowledge
Please describe your comment briefly:
It seems reasonable and logical that in this day and time we do not discourage any
individual that is willing to invest and contribute power to our electrical grid. Penalizing
residents with higher electrical rates will most certainly discourage the use of home solar
energy use. It will also prevent additional sources of energy production to our electrical
grid system. Above and beyond these reasons, very needed jobs in the Treasure Valley will be
lost.
For these reasons please vote no to Idaho Powers rate increase request.
The form submitted on http://www.puc.idaho.gov/forms/ipuci/ipuc.html
IP address is 132.178.2.64
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Jean Jewell
From: marvsgaVeryaol.com
Sent: Monday, March 18, 2013 7:33 PM
To: Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness
Subject: PUC Comment Form
A Comment from Scott Becker follows:
Case Number: case # IPC-E-12-27
Name: Scott Becker
Address: 5901 overland road
City: Boise
State: Idaho
Zip: 83709
Daytime Telephone: [phone]
Contact E-Mail: marvsgallery (@aol.com
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Acknowledge: acknowledge
Please describe your comment briefly:
Idaho Power customers should not be penalized for producing their own electricity. Our
state, like many others is faced with a growing energy crisis and needs to be focused on
promoting new and innovative ways to produce clean energy.
The form submitted on http://www.puc.idaho.gov/forms/ipucl/iouc.html
IP address is 71.36.19.221
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Jean Jewell
From: [e-mail]
Sent: Monday, March 18, 2013 11:28 AM
To: Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness
Subject: PUC Comment Form
A Comment from richard vycital follows:
Case Number: case # IPC-E-12-27
Name: richard vycital
Address:
City: boise
State: Idaho
Zip: 83713
Daytime Telephone:
Contact E-Mail: rvycital(boisestate.edu
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Acknowledge: acknowledge
Please describe your comment briefly:
I am aware the Idaho power is seeking to increase the charge to independent solar, wind and
alternative fuel companies who are elegible to have their power put into the grid.
Idaho power is in fact a competitor to these other power generators, and yet control the
distribution lines and related distribution of power generated from all sources in idaho to
all parts of the USA.
I would urge the PUC to prevent Idaho power from assessing any fee, penalty or alteration of
rates allowed for purchase/sell of power by these alternative energy companies. .we will loose
a precious opportunity to expand energy generation to alternative,useful sources if idaho
power is given their request
The form submitted on http://www.puc.idaho.gov/forms/irwcl/ipuc.html
IP address is 132.178.2.65
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Jean Jewell
From: [e-mail]
Sent: Monday, March 18, 2013 11:04 AM
To: Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness
Subject: PUC Comment Form
A Comment from Chris C. follows:
Case Number: IPC-E-12-27
Name: Chris C.
Address:
City: Boise
State: ID
Zip: 32132
Daytime Telephone:
Contact E-Mail: ninobalducci2øø6hotmail.com Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Acknowledge: acknowledge
Please describe your comment briefly:
Idaho Power customers should not be penalized for producing their own electricity. Our
state, like many others is faced with a growing energy crisis and needs to be focused on
promoting new and innovative ways to produce clean energy.
Raising rates on clean energy is antithetical to progress.
Thanks for your time,
Chris C.
The form submitted on http://www.puc.idaho.gov/forms/ipucl/ipuc.html
IP address is 205.189.35.2
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