20150624Comments (7 Total).pdf

Jean Jewell
From:[e-mail]
Sent:Wednesday,June 24,2015 10:41 AM
To:Beverly Barker;Jean Jewell;Gene Fadness
Cc:[e-mail]
Subject:Case Comment Form:Kerrin McCall
Name:Kerrin McCall
Case Number:IPC-15--E-01
Email:[e-mail]
Telephone:[e-mail]
Address:P0 Box 353
Ketchum Idaho,83340
Name of Utility Company:Idaho Power
Acknowledge public record:True
Comment:Kerrin McCall PC Box 353 Ketchum,ID 83340 208.726.5859
June 23,2015
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O.Box 83720
Boise,Idaho 83720-3762
Re:IPC-E-l5-01
Dear Commissioners:
As a member of the Ketchum Energy Advisory Committee,the Wood River Electrical Plan
Community Advisory Committee and the Wood River Valley Renewable Energy Working Group,I have
been involved with Idaho Power energy issues for over five years.In January 2014,IPC0
formed the Energy Working Group specifically to design a renewable energy pilot project in
the Wood River Valley.Our team,including Billy Mann of Ketchum-based Sagebrush Solar,
worked for over a year in collaboration with IPC0 staff and the full awareness of CEO,Daryl
Anderson,to plan,locate and negotiate terms for a community solar project in Ohio Gulch
between Hailey and Ketchum.
In January of this year,2015,IPC0 blindsided our yearlong efforts with their PUC filing to
limit PURPA contracts from 20 years to 2 years,making it impossible to secure financing for
the very project IPCo brought us to the table to design and implement.When asked “Why did
IPC0 even begin talks with us and then bring our efforts to an abrupt halt with the PURPA
filing”,the response from the company was “We didn’t see all this solar coming.”It’s
remarkable that the electric utility with the supposed expertise and responsibility for our
state’s energy future does not have the foresight to see what is obvious to any one even
slightly following the rapid rise of the solar industry worldwide.
IPC0’s filing to change the rules that enable clean energy development,tight when clean
energy is absolutely critical to our state’s economic and environmental future,is not only
shortsighted but unfair to independent energy developers making it impossible for them to
compete with utilities building and financing their own projects with 20 year contracts.
Buying Idaho’s independent clean energy brings investment and job creation to our
communities.Currently,$35 million per year leaves the Wood River Valley to pay for energy
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generated out-of-state.This hurts the local economy and contributes to climate disruption
and environmental degradation.
You’ve heard many of the arguments and your guidelines suggest that they not be repeated by
everyone offering testimony.Yet,it must be stressed that when local efforts for resilient
energy production are thwarted by short term contracts,meaning contracts terms under 20
years,then local jobs,tax base,energy self-reliance and security are being ignored in
favor of environmentally disruptive energy sources,record corporate profits,record
executive salaries and shareholder dividends.
IPCo’s participation in disruptive energy includes coal,natural gas and what the company
refers to as their ‘renewable”resource,hydro.However,energy and water are inextricably
intertwined.This consideration is critical when making rulings for the drought ridden
West’s energy future.The task of generating electricity is responsible for nearly 52
percent of surface fresh water withdrawal.Forty percent of that withdrawal is used to cool
power plants.Consider the following statistics concerning water used by power plants.Coal
uses 1,100 gallons of water per MWH.Natural gas uses 300,and solar uses zero.Energy
production and distribution strain our limited water resources.
Now,consider another energy/water issue.Idaho is fortunate to have hydropower.Although
essentially carbon-free,dams cause significant damage to anadromous fish,natural river flow
and water temperature.Continuing to burn climate-disruptive coal is decreasing snow pack and
increasing drought,which reduces hydro power.This causes more coal to be burned emitting
more carbon and using more water.This cycle can only be mitigated with solar.
The energy/water/environment nexus is a particularly critical component to decisions made by
the PUC concerning the future of renewable energy production in our state.It is my
perspective that the PUC and Idaho Power have an ethical responsibility to open all pathways
to providing clean,water tolerant and environmentally responsible electricity to the
residents of Idaho.The solar /advanced energy systems era is here.IPC0 needs to reinvent
its business model and embrace the inevitable,powerful movement to clean energy.To preserve
a secure future for generations to come,the IPUC should listen to residents of our state,
not solely the interests of a utility clinging to an antiquated paradigm.
With that said,I’m handing over to the commission a petition titled <‘Promote,don’t Smother
Idaho’s Clean Energy Future”As the PUC considers the public’s input in their decision making
process,I’m certain you will gratefully receive 1000 signatures of Idaho residents who
support solar energy development.
Sincerely,
Kerrin McCall
Unique Identifier:184.183.125.82
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Jean Jewell
From:[e-mail]
Sent:Wednesday,June 24,2015 3:59 PM
To:Beverly Barker;Jean Jewell;Gene Fadness
Cc:[e-mail]
Subject:Case Comment Form:Ken Markling
Name:Ken Markling
Case Number:IPE-E-15-O1
Email:kmarkling(3live.com
Telephone:2g8-838-2785
Address:PD Box 161
Clayton ID,83227
Name of Utility Company:Idaho Power
Acknowledge public record:True
Comment:Idaho Power should not be required to enter into long term contracts for renewable
energy.Generators shouldnt be allowed sweetheart’deals due to government regulation.If
they want in they must take the risk and be competitive like any other business.Renewable
energy (wind and solar)only benefits the generator and is not a practical baseload energy
source on a utility scale.It is more expensive than current market prices not only to
purchase but then to schedule and integrate on and off the grid.Utilities have to provide
full capacity anyway for when intermittent supplies (renewables)come on and off line and
therefore have no reliability or financial benefit to the ratepayers.Utilities should be
allowed to shop for the best deals and negotiate terms that best serve the ratepayers.
Unique Identifier:66.232.85.62
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Jean Jewell
From:[e-mail]
Sent:Wednesday,June 24,2015 3:08 PM
To:Beverly Barker;Jean Jewell;Gene Fadness
Cc:[e-mail]
Subject:Case Comment Form:CLAUDIA GLYNN
Name:CLAUDIA GLYNN
Case Number:IPC-E-15-0l
Email:SMITHCLAUDIA49(YAH00 .COM
Telephone:
Address:2215 ELLIS AVE
BOISE ID,83702
Name of Utility Company:IDAHO POWER
Acknowledge public record:True
Comment:I think it is imperative that we embrace greener energy.I would encourage you to
not reduce the current agreements.In fact,I believe we should be doing everything possible
to bring more alternatives into the conversation.Coal fired plants should be eliminated in
favor of more sustainable sources.
Unique Identifier:168.103.47.125
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Jean Jewell
From:[e-mail]
Sent:Wednesday,June 24,2015 3:16 PM
To:Beverly Barker;Jean Jewell;Gene Fadness
Cc:[e-mail]
Subject:Case Comment Form:JoAnn OLinger-Luscusk
Name:JoAnn O’Linger-Luscusk
Case Number:IPC-E-15-O1
Email:jluscusk(gmail.com
Telephone:[phone]
Address:3700 W Hill Rd
Boise ID,83703
Name of Utility Company:Idaho Power
Acknowledge public record:True
Comment:Please remember that climate change is urgent and solar is a locally based climate
solution (and one that grows our local economies).I support our local solar energy
suppliers and hope that you will do so as well.
Idaho needs clean energy to protect our air,water,and climate.If you have kids and
grandkids,you will NOT hamper the growth potential of the local solar companies by
shortening the length of time their contracts are in force.
Unique Identifier:174.27.117.153
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Jean Jewell
From:[e-mail]
Sent:Wednesday,June 24,2015 8:13 AM
To:Beverly Barker;Jean Jewell;Gene Fadness
Cc:[e-mail]
Subject:Case Comment Form:Ann DeBolt
Name:Ann DeBolt
Case Number:
Email:annmdebolt(gmail .corn
Telephone:
Address:2032 South Crystal Way
Boise ID,83706
Name of Utility Company:Idaho Power
Acknowledge public record:True
Comment:Dear PUC:I cannot attend the public hearing this evening,June 24th,in Boise,ID,
so I am making my comments here.As a bill payer and one who believes in the power of the
sun,I would like the opportunity to power my home with solar.In a region where the sun
shines the majority of the time,please don’t let Idaho Power change policies to make this
more difficult/expensive for the rest of us.Idaho Power should be leading the way,as water
for hydropower is a diminishing resource.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Sincerely,Ann DeBolt
Unique Identifier:72.24.212.17
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Jean Jewell
From:[e-mail]
Sent:Tuesday,June 23,2015 9:51 PM
To:Beverly Barker;Jean Jewell;Gene Fadness
Cc:[e-mail]
Subject:Case Comment Form:Elizabeth Slifer
Name:Elizabeth Slifer
Case Number:IPC-E-15-01
Email:slifer(filertel.corn
Telephone:[phone]
Address:3779N 2250E
Filer ID,83328
Name of Utility Company:Id Power
Acknowledge public record:True
Comment:Solar power just MUST happen in Idaho -it makes sense very way you look at it.
Unique Identifier:208.98.149.230
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Jean Jewell
From:[e-mail]
Sent:Wednesday,June 24,2015 12:06 PM
To:Beverly Barker;Jean Jewell;Gene Fadness
Cc:[e-mail]
Subject:Case Comment Form:faith chennette
Name:faith chennette
Case Number:
Email:fchennettemsn.com
Telephone:[phone]
Address:2615 E.Springwood Dr.
Meridian ID,83642
Name of Utility Company:Idaho Power
Acknowledge public record:True
Comment:Please do not allow Idaho Power to reduce the use of solar and individual methods to
reduce energy usage.There are other alternatives and I want to be able to use them.
Unique Identifier:67.61.252.197
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