20140522Comments (10 Total).pdf

May 21,2014
t.{1no Pubtic Utility Commissioners472W. Washington St.Boise, lD 93702
Regarding: Case #lpC_E_14_09 Suspend Obligation tSolar-powered Qualifying Facilities- tdaho powcr "^-ljl.t,l[l-se
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".l :,fJ f,il il: l"JDear Commissioners:
energy sources.
I?ff iHI-:', J:;I;J:fl? [: l, J:: x':: I 1, r_.f io n I aftr er th a n m a k i n g it m o re
flhliiT,',"Jn,i:l#'trJffi I'ff ,?J#t1il::,l:ii,=ffi HiJ:lJf lo!?,ngthe way for solarlo come on liine and to make up a large, p"r.",itr;:Til: il:r"#,
People can decide not to believe in accelerated climate change but not believing doesnot change the fact that it is no Lng", merely coming--it is heie. Burning fossil fuers[Xi:il::?:,;,.ffi f#:il;,;;;/ r,", #i,,0,i"pr,." it with sustainabre sources
Hopefully ldaho Power will work to keep integration .9r1:.as row as possibre for solarenergy generators and encourage oeveropmErt, ,"i.tail it. According to theirsubmission, thev expect to have"their inte!rat,;; ;tr;t."rr,","o,ll,rlr" this year.Even if detairs require a ritile ;;r; time, ,ii.norij;_13r,"ted during the next coupre::$:HH1?iJl:*:' ' i"', '*,e davs to o"i",r]ne how to minimile intesration
ldaho power co'ects donations from customers ,n ,n:[il?en program and perhapssome of these funds could be useJ to offset ;;;
"ifl..," integratioi costs of sorar. My3xi:il',,l5llH,XiTI#iS;,tfl;51i:H"",tacce,eratedso,arenersy
It is unnecessary to suspend ldaho Power's obligation under puRpA for such a shortrrme and doing so is onry more Jirlorrrging for inor" o"reroping or hoping to deverop,ffi,.:ffi:ff;, Ii""ffim:]i}"",nr," trtt , *i,r sorar devLropers whire theirproducers 'J vvrrrPrs.Eu arlq means are put in place to minimize costs to solar
Lura J. Morgan, phD
5459 N. Tuckerson place
Boise, lD 93704
Sincerely,
IDAHO
PUBLIC UTILITIES
COMMISSION Public Hearing
lPc-E-l4-09
Boise, Idaho
05121114
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
lf you cannot or do not want to testify in person at this hearing but want your opinion noted,
please use the space below to write your comments. Add extra sheets as needed. You may
either hand this sheet to a commission staff member or mail it to:
IPUC, PO Box 83720, Boise, !D 83720-0074.
You may also post comments on our Web Site.
http ://www. puc. idaho. gov
Click "comments & questions."
Print Nam " E tirol, il IL / , ,L sisn Name
Mailing Address Phone Number f l/ -tlo ?-
City and State Zip Code &z/ tz
Jean Jewell
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heartfeltsong @ msn.com
Wednesday, May 21 ,2014 10:56 PM
Beverly Barker; Jean Jewell; Gene Fadness
heartf eltsong @ msn.com
Case Comment Form: Lisa Hecht
Name: Lisa Hecht
Case Number: IPC-E-L4-O9
Email : heantfeltsong@msn. com
Telephone: [phone]L59
Address: 4920 E. Sagewood Drive
Boise ID, 83716
Name of Utitity Company: Idaho Power
Acknowledge public recond: True
Comment: Sending an updated, abridged version of my testimony.
l{ay 2t, 2Ot4
Honorable Paul Kjellander
Hononable Marsha Smith
Honorable Mack Redford
Idaho Public Utility Commission
472 West Washington Street
Boise, TD 83702
Re: Idaho Power Company Petition to Suspend Solar PURPA Obligations, Case # IPC-E-t4-O9
Dear Commissioners:
I thank you for the opportunity to submit comments to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission
regarding Idaho Powen Company's Petition to Suspend Solar PURPA Obligations. I have been an
Idaho Power stockholder for 54 years. I am also a retired Hewlett-Packand engineer and
program managen, and a panent whose children will experience the consequences of decisions
made today.
To quote Kim Trout of Trout Law in an article written Januany 2nd, 2OL4: "As a regulatedutility, Idaho Powen is requined to pnovide centain senvices in exchange for the oppontunityto earn a "fai?" return on its investments....In the period from L998 to 2OL2 Tdaho Power's
actual return measured in eannings per share growth rose an average of L4.8 pencent. As a
fname of reference, according to data fnom Bloomberg and Thomson Financial, in the same 15-
yean peniod, Idaho Power returns wene 117.9 pencent higher than the S&P/Dow Jones Industrial
Average indices for the same perJ.od."
Abundant evidence fnom the conclusions of the IPCC, an intennational body of climatologists,
and data collected over the past century, indicates that climate change is alneady occunning
and resulting in significant costs to Idaho citizens (ratepayers) in health and agricultural
impacts, and national catastrophes, which ane currently extennalized costs to Idaho Power.
Nonetheless, we natepayens incur them in addition to any increases to electricity costs.
CIeanIy, Idaho Powen is receiving mone than a "fair" return on its investment, and its
natepayens are being asked to act as unwitting investors in oversized Idaho Power pnofits.
At the same time, coal genenation incuns unfair costs for ratepayers. Suspending PURPA and
charging for utility connection removes the opportunity for ratepayers to reduce their
externalized and direct costs by moving to solar and violates Idaho Power's legal charter of
"fain" neturns as a regulated monopoly.
Idaho is blessed with incnedible solan energy resounces. Solar installed on rooftops has the
added advantage of removing the need fon transmission lines and neducing associated losses,
so adds to energy efficiency (reduced demand) as a resource. This is a demand reduction cost
removed from Idaho Powen. Funthermore, the need for peak generating powen is neduced, since
solan power output peaks at the same season and time-of-day that summer heat peaks in Idaho.
At the same time, costs fon coal generation ane rising as a nesult of increased governmental
nequinements. Stanford University just announced a divestment from coal and fossil fuels inits estimated $L8 billion endowment. It is clear that if Idaho Power continues in this
direction, it will only increase costs for ratepayens, especially as currently externalized
costs ane included in rate costs. In fact, many studies have shown that, when currently
externalized costs of coal electricity genenation are included, solan power is clearly
cheaper than coal.
Kim Tnout's article ends with the line, "Idaho case Iaw states, "the public interest is the
paramount considenation of the commission...". Thus, where Idaho Powen is acting as if it were
an unnegulated corporation, to maximize its pnofits without regard to all of the many coststo its natepayers, it is the responsibility of the Idaho PUC to remind Idaho Power of the
terms of its articles of incorporation and to protect ratepayens.
In conclusion, I believe that until Idaho Powen demonstrates actual harm, it is premature to
suspend the company's solan PURPA obligations. For the afonementioned reasons, I requestthat the Idaho Public Utilities Commission neject Idaho Power's request.
Thank you fon the opportunity to submit comments.
Sincenely,
Lisa Hecht
4920 E. Sagewood Drive
Boise, ID. 83776
Unique Identifier: 7L.2O9.2t.2t1
Jean Jewel!
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rsandberg36 @ gmail.com
Wednesday, May 21, 201 4 6:04 PM
Beverly Barker; Jean Jewell; Gene Fadness
rsandbe1936 @ gmail.com
Case Comment Form: Robert Sandberg
Name: Robert Sandberg
Case Numben: IPC-E-t4-O9
Email: rsandbers36@gmai1. com
Telephone:
Address: 9L8 Haines Street
Boise ID, 837t2
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Acknowledge public record: Tnue
Comment: May 2L, 2OL4
Hononable Paul Kjellander
Hononable Marsha Smith
Hononable Mack Redford
Idaho Pub1ic Utility Commission
472 hJest Washington Street
Boise, TD 83702
Re: Idaho Powen Company Petition to Suspend Solar PURPA Obligations, Case # IPC-E-14-O9
Dean Commissionens:
I thank you for the opportunity to submit comments to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission
neganding Idaho Powen Company's Petition to Suspend Solar PURPA Obligations. I am an Idaho
Power stockholder and a ratepayer.
I believe that it is wrong to suspend Idaho Power's obligation to enter into power purchase
agreements unden PURPA for the following reasons:
1. Lack of due diligence. If in fact there is a necessity to add solan integnation costs,
Idaho Powen has had plenty of time to reseanch and assess what othen utility companies have
done in similan circumstances. They have not done so; they have not done their due
diligence.2. Timing. Introducing such a suspension at this time is highly suspect. It smacks of a
stall tactic. And allowing only two days for a public heaning and taking public comment is
also an effont to thwant public input.
3. False assessment. Idaho Powen has only signed and executed contnacts fon approximately
60 MW of solar PURPA projects, a smalI fraction of the 50L MhJ the company alleges are
"attempting" to sign contracts.
4. Legal question of suspending a federal Iaw. We believe that suspending Idaho Power's
PURPA obligations, especialty with regands to contracts that have already been executed,
sends a chilling signal to futune investors of clean enengy in Idaho. Additionally,
outstanding legal questions nemain concerning the state's ability to suspend the
implementation of PURPA, which is an existing federal law.
5. History of resisting solan enengy. Idaho Power just two yeans ago attempted toradically limit net metering. This is a common tactic among investor owned utilities around
the country. Thankfully, with public input, the PUC wisely restored most of the fonmer net
metering implementation. Idaho Power would like to place a freeze on what it considers to be
a threat to its business model.6. FaIseIy considens solar energy intenmittent. Idaho Power paints solar power in the
same broad stnokes as wind power. It is much mone predictable, and it is most abundant
during Idaho's times of heavy peak load-+'rhen it is sunny and wanm and air conditioners ane
nunning. AIso, a cloud passing in one location is counterbalanced by clean skies at the same
time in another location.7. Paints a picture of unique cincumstances. Solar power has much deeper penetration in
areas like Germany, and in this country in the following large, investor-owned utilities.
These companies have found workable solutions to include renewable energies. Idaho Powen is
not unique; it can do the same as weIl. These utilities are:a. Austin Energyb. Berkshire Hathaway Enengyc. Green Mountain Powerd. NRG Energye. Pacific Gas & Electricf. XceI Energy
Fon a1l of the above neasons, please vote to reject Idaho Power's request to suspend thein
obligation to enter into powen punchase agneements under PURPA.
Thank you fon the opportunity to submit comments.
Sincerely,
Robent Sandberg
9L8 Haines Street
Boise, ID 83772
Unique Identifier:67 .60.248.206
Jean Jewell
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Subject:
Sandpointprices @ f rontier.com
Wednesday, May 21, 2O1 4 5:1 0 PM
Beverly Barker; Jean Jewell; Gene Fadness
Sandpointprices @ f rontier.com
Case Comment Form: Rick Price
Name: Rick Price
Case Number: IPC-E-I4-O9
Email : Sandpointprices@frontien. com
Telephone : 2OB -29O-166Q
Address: 198 OId Sawmill Rd.
Sagle ID, 83850
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Powe
Acknowledge public record: True
Comment: I believe Idaho Power and aII utilities should have to do all they can to consenve
energy use in ldaho. This will keep them fnom having to build mone plants. This
conservation should include providing energy to their customers fnom small operators like
solar usens and wind power generators. They should not be allowed to say no. The IPUC
should lead negotiations between Idaho Power and these small genenatons to be sure a fair
price is paid to these small generators considering aII factors.
Thank you for letting me comment.
Rick Price
Unique Identifien: 95 .5.L44.97
Jean Jewell
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crsntmoonbeam @ yahoo.com
Wednesday, May 21, 201 4 7:00 PM
Beverly Barker; Jean Jewell; Gene Fadness
crsntmoonbeam @ yahoo.com
Case Comment Form: Hydee DasGupta
Name: Hydee DasGupta
Case Numben:
EmaiI : crsntmoonbeam{0vahoo. com
Telephone: 9Ol OL22
Address: 4OL Resseguie
Boise ID, 83702
Name of Utility Company: Idaho power
Acknowledge public record: True
Comment: Idaho power has an obligation to up hold. Thatare looking at solan to reduce our electric costs, not
should look into breaking into the market not squashing
something.
Unique Identifier : 1-74.232.!29.L46
is to up hold PURPA. Many of us
to raise them. Penhaps Idaho powenit. Thank you fon allowing us to say
Jean Jewell
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[e-mail]
Wednesday, May 21 ,20147:42PM
Beverly Barker; Jean Jewell; Gene Fadness
[e-mail]
Case Comment Form:Tory Pearse
Name: Tony Peanse
Case Number:
Email : torvpearse@gmaiI. com
Telephone:
Addness:. 3560 N Rock Cneek Ln
Boise Idaho, 83703
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Powen
Acknowledge public necord: True
Comment: I hope that as regulatons you ane paying attention to the incredible pnogness thatis being made in other Countries and also in other States within the US. I also hope that
you are educated about the impacts of climate change on our communities and throughout theworld. I am an Idaho Powen customer and if necessary, I am willing to pay higher rates for
renewable energy. I believe that transitioning to clean energy is the most impontant issue of
the day and I know solutions ane in fnont of us if we will only noll up our sleeves and get
to wonk. The fossil fuel industries have had thein decades of subsidies and government
support and they have taken us for granted. They have damaged our ecosystem and they have
polluted our planet. Now is the time for change and we need you to do everything in youn
"power" to suppont the transition off of fossil fuels. Renewables thneaten their profit
model but they threaten our planet. Make your decision carefully as new models fon energy
including publicly owned utilities ane emerging. Please support policies that encourage clean
energy and help lead us into a betten world.
Unique Identifien: 55 .129.56.L78
Jean Jewell
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bakpakbiker@ gmail.com
Wednesday, May 21, 201 4 8:40 PM
Beverly Barker; Jean Jewell; Gene Fadness
bakpakbiker@ gmail.com
Case Comment Form: Bryan DuFosse
Name: Bnyan DuFosse
Case Numben: IPC-E-74-09
EmaiI: bakpakbiker@gmai1. com
Telephone:
Address: 5303 W. Gnover St.
Boise Idaho, 83705
Name of Utitity Company: Idaho Power Co
Acknowledge public recond: Tnue
Comment: I am asking that Idaho Powen continue to be required to purchase, on provide, a
percentage of their power by solar. Solar is an impontant and undenutilized technology for
power production and should be a large part of a diversified netwonk of altennative energy
solutions.
Unique Identifier^: 7L.2O.39 .78
Jean Jewell
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[e-mail]
Wednesday, May 21, 2014 8:59 PM
Beverly Barker; Jean Jewell; Gene Fadness
[e-mail]
Case Comment Form: Ed Wardwell
Name: Ed Wandwell
Case Number: TPC-E-L -O9
Email : edntucker^@gmai1. com
Telephone:
Addness: L3268 Dechambeau Way
Boise Idaho, 837L4
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Acknowledge public record: True
Comment: The idea behind PURPA is to nequine utilities like Idaho Power to be forced to
integnate new alternative clean energies instead of the old dinty fossil fuels. Thein
business model is out of date by relying on fossil fuels and needs to be pushed into the 21st
centuny. Fon the sake of our childnen and those unborn we need to reduce the canbonfootprint of every utility. PURPA is just the start of what is needed for a betten futune.If Idaho Power was banknupt and needed time and money to integrate that might justify a delay
but that is not the case. The stockholdens of which I am one can bean a slight decline in
pnofits for the sake of the future. Idaho Powen could change its business model and make
money on clean altennatives but they ane choosing to go the lazy way by asking for a waiver
to foIlow the rules. Do NOT let them avoid the PURPA rules.
We need to step up the requinement fon solar not go backwands.
Unique Identifien: 55 .232.82.!75
Jean Jewell
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r.casey.wilson @ gmail.com
Wednesday, May 21, 2O1 4 1 0:43 PM
Beverly Barker; Jean Jewell; Gene Fadness
r.casey.wilson @ gmail.com
Case Comment Form: Robert Wilson
Name: Robert Wilson
Case Numben: IPC-E-14-09
Email : n. casey.wilson(dgmail. com
Telephone : 303 -72@-1282
Addness: 29L@ Wildwood St
Boise I,D, 837L3
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Acknowledge public record: True
Comment: I would like to let it be known that I feel the PUC should deny Idaho Power's
request to suspend their obligation under PURPA to enter into contracts to purchase energy
genenated by solan power. I have been wonking in the solan industry for over 5 years now and
necently relocated to Idaho because I had heard so many good things about the state. I was
excited to gain employment with a solan installation company in the Boise anea not even two
weeks ago. I was veny upset to hean that my job could be in jeopardy after such a shont
amount of time. The company I am wonking fon is growing at a fantastic nate and is already
talking about hiring anothen full time employee. Idaho has a tnemendous solar resource
available, it would be a shame to continue to let this nesounce go to waste and eliminate
additional potential jobs in the state. Please don't help Idaho Power eliminate my job!
Unique ldentifier: 67 .60.6L.714