20211130Comment(1)_1.pdf

From:Katherine Noble
To:Jan Noriyuki
Subject:net metering, IIPC-E-20-26
Date:Tuesday, November 30, 2021 9:56:40 AM
Dear Secretary,
I would like to express my concern to the PUC governing board about the plan Idaho Power is proposing for
moving forward to 100% clean energy. Time is critical to develop a clean energy plan and implement it.
Idaho Power’s current plan is not sufficient and the time lines need to be moved up to 2035-2040 or
southern Idaho will be broiling in heat and drought. In order to accomplish the transition needed, the power
companies all need to take advantage of all the opportunities possible to convert on a faster time line.
Idaho Power, and many power companies across the nation are trying to implement changes in their energy
production by eliminating or severely limiting the power production of individuals who would like to own
rooftop solar systems or farmers who would like to install solar systems on non productive portions of their
property to offset irrigation pumping costs. This is counter productive to the goal of achieving clean
energy. Studies by multiple universities have shown that grazing small animals on pasture below solar
panels achieve two things. The pasture requires less water, and the lower temperatures produce more solar
power. Studies also show that vegetable crops can efficiently be grown effectively under solar panels both
in greenhouses and directly as row crops, and the solar panels produce more power due to lower
temperatures. This should incentivize Idaho Power to develop partnerships with farmers and homeowners
to produce power at net metering rates that are also advantageous to the homeowner and farmer. The effort
by Idaho Power to decrease these incentives is completely counter productive to the goal of achieving 100%
clean energy and should be unacceptable to the PUC board.
Local clean energy systems provide grid security and reliability while protecting our climate and public
lands from catastrophic events like wildfires. Distributed energy system owners should be fairly
compensated for the services they provide and programs should enable a local energy economy.
Please allow individuals and farmers help reach 100% clean energy production by fairly compensating them
for their help in reaching this coal!
Sincerely,
Kathy Noble
Angel Earth Farm
86 Freedom Loop
Bellevue, Idaho 83313
208-720-5975