20150302Comment.pdf

Cfty of Star Mayor:
Nathan Mitchell
P.O.Box 130
Star Idaho 83669 Council:
208-286-7247 21H5 M1R —2 i,N 9:0 Chad Bell
Fax [phone] -Tom Erlebach
Tammy McDaniel
www.staridaho.org U1LflIL t Richard Lockett
februaiy26,2015
Commissioners
Idaho Public Utility
P.O.Box 83702
Boise,Idaho 83702
Dear Commissioners:
As an Idaho employer and Idaho Power customer,the City of Star supports Idaho Power’s request to
shorten the length of guaranteed contracts for large solar and wind generation projects.We believe Idaho
Power’s request is in the best interests of the City of Star,as well as other Idaho Power customers.
Having access to reliable electricity at a fair price is essential.It’s also essential to the financial health of
our residents,who range from individtials living on fixed incomes to retail and industrial accounts.
We don’tjust work here.We live here.Our residents love and respect the clean environment that’s
essential to our way of life in Idaho and the Northwest.All of tts want clean energy.and we are glad to
know that a majority of our electricity comes from the region’s clean,renewable hydro resources.
However,moving toward a clean energy future cannot come at the expense of reliability and
affordability.The City of Star believes Idaho Power recognizes and understands this,and works hard to
strike a good balance.The City of Star recognizes the company’s efforts to keep power costs in line with
current market rates,which will benefit entities like the City of Star and our residents.
We don’t believe Idaho Power should be required to buy electricity it does not need,especially from
sources that decrease the reliability of its service while pushing costs up.If Idaho Power continues to be
required to make such purchases,we agree that contracts should be limited to two years,as the company
has requested,or less,rather than locking in prices for 20 years.
The City of Star supports Idaho Power’s environmentally responsible and balanced service and its
tradition of providing quality,reliable service at a low cost.This is key to Star,and it’s good for Idaho
and for Idahoans.We ask that you grant idaho Power’s petition to modify the terms and conditions of
future PURPA energy sales agreements (IPC-E-15-01).
Than ot,
Nathan Mitchell
d•.•..‘-.-.4Mayor.--
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