20150526Comment.pdf

Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce
Boise Valley Economic Partnership (BVEP)
Boise Young Professionals
Leadership Boise:li: Ii,,ii]'?? Pii t+: l2
May 20,2015
Paul Kjellander, President
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
472W. Washington St.
Boise,ID 83702-5983
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Dear President Kjellander:
Attached for your review is the Energy Policy of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber
strives to be the leading business advocacy organization in the Boise metro area.
The Chamber supports maintaining Idaho's overall low cost and reliable supply of energy through exploration,
development, generation, transmission, and conservation. This philosophy is reflected in our support of the
2012 State Energy Policy to "Maintain Idaho's low-cost energy supply and ensure access to affordable energy
for a]l ldahoans."
The Chamber's Boise Valley Economic Partnership (B\IEP) is our region's public-private partnership for
economic development expansion and retention. One recent success story is Gayle Manufacturing relocating
its headquarters and developing a $25 million steel fabrication plant west of Caldwell. Currently, every
manufacturing prospect has expressed great interest in our region's low-cost power supply. The capital
investment potential of these 'value-added' manufacturing plants can be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
The resulting employment and the higher paying jobs will benefit our area and the entire state. We understand
that under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA), our area electric utility companies
may be required to buy power at "avoided cost" even when their forecasts do not demonstrate a need for the
power. Idaho's history of a reliable, low-cost, and environmentally responsible electrical supply system has
been an important economic driver for our region. We encourage the Commission to seek to maintain that
economic advantage and adopt policies striking an appropriate balance between the supply of, and demand
for, both PURPA and non-PURPA generating resources.
The Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce appreciates your service to the people of the state of Idaho in your
role of maintaining affordable energy for the betterment of the entire state and its economic future.
Bill Connors, President & CEO
Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce
cc: Commissioners Mack Redford and Kristine Raper
250 South 5th Street, Suite 300 * P.O. Box 2358 * Boise, ldaho 83701
208.472.5200 * FAX [phone] * www.boisechamber.org
CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE
Chamber Energy Policy
The Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce establishes an Energy Policy to guide the
Board of Directors and Chamber membership to support certain energy objectives
important to our regional and state economy and future economic development:
1 . Support the exploration and development of a variety of energy sources,
including hydro, natural gas, nuclear and alternative sources (wind, solar,
biomass and geothermal). Advocate for a simplified land leasing process
for exploration and development.
2. Support the generation of energy from hydro power (including support for
dam relicensing) nafural gas, coal, wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and
nuclear. Advocate for simplification of the permitting process for power
production.
3. Support transmission of energy through improving infrastructure, including
construction of electrical lines and construction or extension of natural gas
pipelines.
4. Support the efficient use of energy through conservation programs and
green building design.
5. Support maintaining Idaho's overall low cost and reliable supply of energy
through exploration, development, generation, transmission and
conservation.
6. Support energy-related economic development and educational initiatives.
Support the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) at the Idaho
National Laboratory and the Energy Efficiency Research Institute Center
(EERI) at Boise State University.
7. Endorse the 2012 State Energy Plan and the continued efforts of the Idaho
Office of Energy Resources and its Strategic Energy Alliance.
Page2.
Introduction from the 2012 State Energ.y Plan:
ln20l2, the Idaho Legislature's Interim Committee on Energy, Environment and Technology
finds that Idaho citizens and businesses continue to benefit from stable and secure access to
affordable energy (e.g., electricity and fuels for transportation, space, and process heat).
Our state utilities and businesses have made notable progress in integrating abundant renewable
energy into our energy networks, primarily in the form of renewable electic generation; which
was a policy objective of the 2007 Plan.
State government, businesses, and consumers have shown leadership in developing innovative
ways to reduce energy consumption through energy efficiency measures. Of particular note are
the efforts of utilities and state governmentto help consumers reduce energy consumption and
efforts in the business sector to do the same. Non-govemmental organizations operating in the
state, our Idaho universities, the Idaho National Laboratory, and many businesses and private
citizens have contributed significantly to advancing our collective knowledge concerning energy
issues, thereby feeding a healthy debate.
Energy issues will continue to grow in importance and impact for all Idahoans. Even with
significant energy efficiency and conservation measures, energy consumption in Idaho is
expected to increase substantially as our population increases and economic activity increases.
This growth combined with uncertainties inherent in national energy markets stemming from
challenging demand patterns, resource availability, cost of infrastructure and technology, life-
cycle considerations for present generation sources, energy delivery and transmission
constraints, and environmental and other concerns creates both challenge and opportunity in our
energy future. As in 2007, a substantial percentage of the energy consumed in Idaho
(approximately 70%) is produced outside of Idaho's bordeis; this fact is not necessarily a
negative, as it is imperative that Idaho businesses and citizens acquire the lowest cost supplies
where the markets allow. However, this exposes customers to a degree of vulnerability due to
policy decisions outside of their control, a considerationto be addressed by the policy approach
for our State.
With this recognition,the2}l2ldaho Energy Plan re-emphasizes the core objectives of the
2007 Energy Plan - to set the policy framework that will help enable a secure, reliable,
affordable energy supply network while protecting public health and safety and enhancing
economic competitiveness. The State'sfocus is on the five objectives of Idaho's energy future.
1.Ensure a secure, reliable, and stable energy system for the citizens and businesses
of Idaho.
Maintain Idaho's low-cost energy supply and ensure access to affordable energy
for all Idahoans.
Protect Idaho's public health, safety, and natural environment and conserve
Idaho's natural resources.
Promote sustainable economic growth, job creation and rural
economic development.
Provide the means for Idaho's energy Policies and Actions to adapt to changing
circumstance
EnergyPolicyl3
Approved 06-13-13
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