20130715Comment.pdf

Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O.Box $3720 23 JUL 1 5 fl 1:57
Boise,Idaho 83702
JT1!
Re:Commissioners Ruling
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Dear Commissioners,
I am very disappointed with parts of your ruling.Although I sized my solar
array to pretty much provide for the power I use on a yearly basis,I can feel
for those seeking a faster pay back by oversizing their systems.They are
now forced into donating the excess generation or signing a power
purchasing agreement (PPA)which maybe costly.I think an appropriate
alternative would be to limit the size of a system to 1.25 times their
previous years use with any excess generation paid to them at the avoided
cost rate.As I understand,30 plus states are paying customers at this rate
without problems with FERC.A IPC representative stated “he overheard a
rumor saying they may have a problem but couldn’t remember the name of
the person who said it (how embarrassing can you get).Any systems
larger would have to have a PPA.
Idahoans are among the highest per capita producers of C02 gases in the
nation,mainly because the reliance on coal fired electrical generation.I
was born and raised in this state and am embarrassed for this to continue
when we have the opportunity to use renewable energy available to reduce
our C02 emissions.With solar panel costs declining,we should be taking
advantage of this opportunity as well as well as other efficiency efforts.We
need to wake up to the threat created by global warming.Our quality of life
for us,our kids,and grandkids is at stake.
At the June 11 meeting,there were questions about the additional cost of
equipment changes necessary to accommodate solar generation which
were not answered.In the permit stage,IPC assigns an engineer to look
over a persons proposal to see if any system upgrades are necessary.In
the event upgrades are necessary the applicant must pay for them.Unless
a system is atone on a line,the generation only goes as far as the
neighbors anyway.
In summary,I am also embarrassed to be in a state where a board of
commissioners appointed to represent a fair balance between the power
companies and the public would overlook their own staff recommendations
and expert testimony and rule in this way.Taking the excess power without
any compensations is nothing less than stealing.You cannot go into any
store and get something and on the way out say “CATCH YOU LATER’.I
feel you have leaned toward the power company on this proposal and it is
way too obvious.
As far as the $5.00 monthly charge that cannot be covered by generation,I
guess is fitting since the board considers the excess generation of no
value.
Gary E.Steinbach/p
8835 Edna Lane
Middleton,Id 83644
208-585-3488
e-mail:[e-mail]