20131112Comments (4 Total).pdf

Idaho Public Utilities Commission 9r 2 2 r472W.Washington Street
Boise,ID $3702 LL.
J -E-t -jDearIDP.U.C.,
I am a voting citizen of Boise.idaho.I am extremely concerned about the $215
million business plan proposed by Idaho Power to upgrade the Jim Bridger Coal burning
plant.This is an outdated utility that is threatening the health of our planet and a concern
for public health,as well as a bad business plan.
I urge the P.U.C.to review all foreseeable pollution costs before approving this
expenditure.I also urge the P.U.C.to become more forward thinking on energy sources
that can be prolific and generative in our state.
Sincerely,
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Brandie Redinger
Wholistic Therapy Center LLC
1412 W.Washington Street
Boise,ID 83702
November 8,2013
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
472 W.Washington Street
Boise,ID 83702
Dear ID P.U.C.,
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I am a local business owner and voting citizen of Boise.Idaho.I am extremely
concerned about the $215 million business pian proposed by Idaho Power to upgrade the
Jim Bridger Coal burning plant.This is an outdated utility that is threatening the health of
our planet and a concern for public health,as well as a bad business plan.
I urge the P.U.C.to review all foreseeable pollution costs before approving this
expenditure.I also urge the P.U.C.to become more forward thinking on energy sources
that can be prolific and generative in our state.
Sincerely,
Brandie Redinger
Jean Jewell
From:rabbidan @ahavathbethisrael.org
Sent:Monday,November 11,2013 2:02 PM
To:Beverly Barker;Jean Jewell;Gene Fadness
Cc:rabbidan @ ahavathbethisrael.org
Subject:Case Comment Form:Daniel Fink
Name:Daniel Fink
Case Number:p-F-i3I(’
Email:rabbidan(ahavathbethisrael.org
Telephone:
Address:943 Haines
Boise ID,83712
Name of Utility Company:Idaho Power
Acknowledge public record:True
Comment:I would like to express my concern about Idaho Power investing money in coal burning
plants.We should be subsidizing clean energy rather than dirty fuels like coal.Our
climate,our future depends on being more proactive here.
Unique Identifier:174.27.3.251
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Jean Jewell
From:js_weber@ hotmail.com
Sent:Sunday,November 10,2013 9:46 AM
To:Beverly Barker;Jean Jewell;Gene Fadness
Cc:js_weber@ hotmail.com
Subject:Case Comment Form:John Weber
Name:John Weber
Case Number:IPC-E-13-16
Email:is weber(hotmail.com
Telephone:
Address:7855 W Hummel Dr
Boise Idaho,83709
Name of Utility Company:Idaho Power
Acknowledge public record:True
Comment:IPC-E-13-16
Capitalism and the free market are based on risk and reward.If a company takes a risk and
they are correct they get rewarded.If they are not correct they lose.In this case the
company is taking some huge risks and if they are correct or incorrect they get rewarded.Of
course,this is because they are a regulated monopoly.
The way I see it,is Idaho Power Company knows there will be further regulation regarding
coal plants as well as regulations regarding C02 emissions.They realize that coal plants
will have to be shut down in the long term (before their IRP planning period ends).To
maximize their rate of return on investment they seek the PUC approval to increase the rate
base to cover upgrades in a deprecating asset.In the future they will again seek the PUC
approval to increase the base rate to cover more upgrades.In the end they will seek the PUC
approval to increase the base rate to cover the cost of decommissioning the plant including
the environmental damage on the property.They take no risk and only collect the reward.
There has to be a way to transfer some of the risk from the rate payers to Idaho Power
Company.Idaho Power Company estimates upgrade costs,future costs,C02 costs,and
alternative costs.If their estimates are incorrect they still receive reward.
Idaho Power Company knows that long term coal plants without carbon capture technology (which
is very expensive)will go the way of the dinosaurs.In the very long term gas plants will
only be used for grid stabilization.
Currently the upgrade might be the most economical choice not considering the future risks
involved.The PUC could request that Idaho Power Company have an uninterested 3rd party
complete a study regarding the long term costs and risk of continuing to run coal plants and
a plan based on economics to decommission those plants in a timely fashion.
Being in the automotive repair business many customers are faced with choices regarding
keeping an older vehicle (deprecating asset,much like a power plant)on the road.It can be
done,but there are current costs involved as well as greater costs down the road.At times
the costs of keeping the vehicle on the road are greater than the value of the vehicle.Even
if the customer’s choice is to repair the older vehicle it is very important to stress they
have a longer term plan to replace that vehicle as more efficient,more economic,and
environmentally vehicles are available.
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