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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20140902Comments (2 Total).pdfJean Jewell From:Jean Jewefl Sent:Tuesday,September 02,2014 10:19 AM To:Jean Jewell Subject:Comment re:Case No.IPC-E-14-19 Honorable Paul Kjellander Honorable Marsha Smith Honorable Mack Redford Idaho Public Utilities Commission 472 West Washington Street Boise,Idaho 83702 September 2,2014 Dear Commissioners, I write today regarding Case IPC-E-14-19 to say a resounding “Yes!’ to the Grand View 80MW project.I’m the director of Idaho Climate Think Tank,a small organization that is focused on carbon mitigation and adaptation strategies for Idaho in the face of a warming climate. It is critical that Grand View be given the green light as soon as possible so that low-emissions sources of energy can start to replace high carbon emitting sources of energy,especially coal,here in Idaho. Climate change is a looming catastrophe which,if we do not aggressively reduce emissions in the next 20 years,will impact Idaho’s farming economy,our fish,forests,cities,and our water supply.I urge the Commission to read BSU economist Scott Lowe et al’s upcoming paper on the projected impacts of climate change on Idaho’s farming economy,available here: http://oniinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/l 0.1002/201 3 WRO I 4696/abstract The Commission may feel that it is not its mandate to address climate change per se,as a matter of keeping costs low for ratepayers.However, the costs of carbon emissions (Idaho Power being the major emitter of carbon in our state).while not visible in utility bills,are costs nevertheless: higher mortality and disease are proven effects of coal plant pollution:more extreme hot weather events mean higher healthcare costs;water shortages mean higher water prices and deeper aquifer drilling.Climate change —driven significantly from utility coal around the world,including Idaho —is lowering our quality of life.These are real costs that the Commission must take into account. Climate change has also had an impact on Idaho’s hydroelectric resources, as you likely know.A warming climate has meant diminished westerly winds,which bring water from the Pacific over the Cascades.Failing 1 to address climate change has already meant that Idaho can generate less renewable hydroelectric power. PURPA laws require Idaho Power to accept these utility-scale resources,and with integration costs negotiated,Idaho Power now has the opportunity to join states like California,Connecticut.Oregon,and others,in the adoption of serious solar resources.While it may not be in Idaho Powers short-term financial interests to integrate these solar resources,it is certainly in the interests of Idaho ratepayers,being a matter of Idaho ecology and economy. The Commissions role,in spirit,is to balance interests of the people and the environment,with corporate interests. Grand View simply represents the future of energy in Idaho.Its time for Idaho Power to embrace this cleaner future. Sincerely. Michael Richardson director,Idaho Climate Think Tank w\vw.idahoclimate.or Boise 2 Jean Jewell From:js_weber@hotmail.com Sent:Sunday,August31,2014 11:14AM To:Beverly Barker;Jean Jewell;Gene Fadness Cc:jsweber@hotmail.com Subject:Case Comment Form:John Weber Name:John Weber Case Number:IPC-E-l4-19 Email:is weber(ahotmail.com Telephone: Address:7255 W Hummel Dr Boise ID,837@9 Name of Utility Company:Idaho Power Acknowledge public record:True Comment:Dear Commissioners and staff, 1-Please approve under the modified procedure. 2-Please accept the ESA. 3-Please allow payments be allowed for ratemaking. Additional comments:After reading the contact it appears the developer is taking all the risk.Idaho Power Company and its customers take no risk and have the potential to receive very cost effective peak power for the contract period.As long as the developer is ok with this contract I see no reason for the commissioners not to approve it. Thank you. Unique Identifier:96.12.98.221 1