20150522Comment.pdf

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SouT;ERx IOAHO U ILL l
EcoNotIc DEVELOPMENT
ORGANIZATION
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To Idaho Public Utility Commissioners:
Over the past 14 years,numerous factors have played a role in Southern Idaho’s economic development
successes,both in both business recruitment and business retention.Every one of the 30+new or
retained industries this region has confirmed over this time is a power user.Some,of course,more than
others —from massive manufacturing facilities to companies with just a few employees.
One significant advantage we have found during our economic development efforts,especially when
recruiting new business,is the advantage Idaho offers in regards to power rates.Idaho Power’s low
rates as well as its mix of sustainable energy sources are important hallmarks of our economic
development proposals.We believe Idaho Power currently offers a fair mix of renewable energy
sources to not only maintain low rates but assure energy reliability.
Should Idaho Power be required to purchase additional energy —although not needed --from young and
unreliable renewable energy sources under an agreement locking them in for several decades,is not
only unfair,but will result in a substantial increase in energy rates for our businesses.This rate
escalation would certainly make our region less competitive on the economic development field and will
have a long-term negative impact to business recruitment.
We believe that two-year contracts are the only fair way to keeps rates in check while slowly growing
and managing green energy opportunities.A 20-year demanded commitment would be restrictive,
unfair and against free market values.A request from any entity demanding a contract for two-decades
would only serve one purpose:to financially support that one entity at the expense of hundreds of
thousands.
We strongly request that the Idaho Public Utilities Commission,in fairness to all,support Idaho Power’s
petition to keep renewable energy/solar contracts to a period of two years.
Thank you.
Jan Rogers
Executive Director