20201204News Release.pdf

Case No. IPC-E-20-26
Order No. 34854
Contact: Adam Rush
Office: [phone]
[e-mail]

NEWS RELEASE: Commission grants legacy treatment to existing commercial, industrial, and
irrigation customers with on-site generation and approves a switch to single-meter systems for all
new net metering customers

BOISE (Dec. 4, 2020) – The Idaho Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday issued an order
granting legacy treatment to customers who have installed, or submitted an application to install,
an on-site generation system under Schedule 84 as of Dec. 1, 2020. Schedule 84 defines the
terms for commercial, industrial, and irrigation customers to net meter. Existing Schedule 84
customers will continue to take service under the present terms of Schedule 84 for a period of 25
years.

A net metering program allows Idaho Power customers to pay an independent contractor to have
solar panels or other systems installed on their homes or property and then receive credit from
Idaho Power for the surplus energy they deliver to the company.

The commission found it fair, just, reasonable, non-discriminatory, and in the public interest to
grandfather these customers according to the same terms the commission ordered for residential
(Schedule 6) and small general service customers (Schedule 8) with on-site generation in IPC-E-
18-15. The commission found that Schedule 84 customers made significant investments in on-
site generation systems based on a reasonable reliance on program stability, similar to Schedule
6 and Schedule 8 customers.

The commission took testimony from interested members of the public at a public hearing and
received nearly 100 written comments on Idaho Power’s application. Public testimony reflected
thoughtful consideration of the economic proposition by current and potential Schedule 84
customers based on the program design in place. Investments were analyzed and made on the
understanding that they would be recovered over 25 years, the expected useful life of the asset.

Commercial, industrial, and irrigation customers who submit an application to interconnect an
on-site generation system after Dec. 1, 2020 will be subject to any future changes ordered by the
commission following Idaho Power’s comprehensive study of the costs and benefits of on-site
generation. Additionally, after Dec. 1, 2020, all new Schedule 84 customers will be required to
install a single-meter system and will no longer be able to install a dual-meter system. The
change to a single-meter reduces customer costs, streamlines program implementation, and
facilitates Idaho Power’s holistic study of net metering program design going forward.

For additional information on the order, please visit: https://puc.idaho.gov/case/Details/6523.