20221012Comments(7)_7.pdf

From:John Ottenhoff ([e-mail]) Sent You a Personal Message
To:Jan Noriyuki
Subject:IPC-E-22-22 Public Comment
Date:Tuesday, October 11, 2022 8:52:22 PM
CAUTION: This email originated outside the State of Idaho network. Verify links and attachments BEFORE you
click or open, even if you recognize and/or trust the sender. Contact your agency service desk with any concerns.
Dear Idaho Public Utilities Commission,
As a retired person living on Social Security, I'm hoping that my investment in home solar panels will not only
benefit our environment but will pay off in my remaining years on the planet. Idaho Power's recent "study" is
obviously and woefully biased, limited, and inaccurate in its calculations of the value of investments we
homeowners have made in rooftop solar. The independent study from Crossborder Energy makes it very clear that
the Idaho PUC must reject Idaho Power's proposed new rates and act in the best interest of Idaho residents--and the
environment.
Please look carefully at the independent study conducted by Crossborder Energy, which points out several
shortcomings in Idaho Power's own study on the costs and benefits of customer-owned rooftop solar. Idaho Power
will use this study to justify trying to reduce compensation rates to solar owners. To arrive at fair rates, we first
need a fair study.
Crossborder's study states, "We conclude that Idaho Power?s choice of assumptions and calculation methods
significantly undervalue the five components that the utility quantified. We present our own calculations of an ECR
with these five elements. In addition, the VODER Study fails to quantify important benefits of distributed solar that
the Commission directed the utility to analyze in Order No. 35284 -- benefits that are known and measurable, will
impact rates, and will benefit Idaho ratepayers and citizens.?
Idahoans deserve solar rates based on a more fair and complete analysis. I urge you to reject Idaho Power's study
and look to Crossborder's study as a more accurate measure of the value (to ALL ratepayers) of customer-owned
solar power.
Sincerely,
John Ottenhoff
18226 Southlake Circle
Caldwell, ID 83607
[e-mail]
[phone]
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If you need more information, please contact Lillian Miller at Sierra Club at [e-mail] or (415) 977-
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From:David Whitacre ([e-mail]) Sent You a Personal Message
To:Jan Noriyuki
Subject:IPC-E-22-22 Public Comment
Date:Wednesday, October 12, 2022 4:04:23 AM
CAUTION: This email originated outside the State of Idaho network. Verify links and attachments BEFORE you
click or open, even if you recognize and/or trust the sender. Contact your agency service desk with any concerns.
Dear Idaho Public Utilities Commission,
Please, please, please prevent Idaho Power from ripping off those forward-looking Idahoans who are helping move
us toward a livable future, by investing their hard-earned cash in home solar systems!
Idaho Power plans to take unfair advantage and pay home solar system owners far, far less than they should. Please
don't let this happen.
Please look carefully at the independent study conducted by Crossborder Energy, which points out several
shortcomings in Idaho Power's own study on the costs and benefits of customer-owned rooftop solar. Idaho Power
will use this study to justify trying to reduce compensation rates to solar owners. To arrive at fair rates, we first
need a fair study.
Crossborder's study states, "We conclude that Idaho Power?s choice of assumptions and calculation methods
significantly undervalue the five components that the utility quantified. We present our own calculations of an ECR
with these five elements. In addition, the VODER Study fails to quantify important benefits of distributed solar that
the Commission directed the utility to analyze in Order No. 35284 -- benefits that are known and measurable, will
impact rates, and will benefit Idaho ratepayers and citizens.?
Idahoans deserve solar rates based on a more fair and complete analysis. I urge you to reject Idaho Power's study
and look to Crossborder's study as a more accurate measure of the value (to ALL ratepayers) of customer-owned
solar power.
Sincerely,
David Whitacre
5567 W. Clearview Ct.
Boise, ID 83703
[e-mail]
[phone]
This message was sent by KnowWho, as a service provider, on behalf of an individual associated with Sierra Club.
If you need more information, please contact Lillian Miller at Sierra Club at [e-mail] or (415) 977-
5500.
From:PUCWeb Notification
To:Jan Noriyuki
Subject:Notice: A comment was submitted to PUCWeb
Date:Wednesday, October 12, 2022 10:00:09 AM
The following comments were submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Jay Kanrich
Submission Time: Oct 12 2022 9:25AMEmail: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]Address: 8951 New Castle Drive
Middleton, ID 83644
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Case ID: IPC-E-22-22
Comment: "In the fall of 2019, I had a solar power company install a whole house solarphotovoltaic system that was supposed to meet our average power usage each year. The
system qualified for the 30% federal credit which reduced our out-of-pocket cost significantly.We are financing that remaining cost at 3.99% over 20 years. Even with the tax credit and the
1 to 1 credit from Idaho Power for generated electricity added back to the grid by our system,it is questionable whether this system will pay for itself in the long run. It was considered by
me an expensive experiment. Given the year of install, this system would be considered alegacy system by Idaho Power. This system does not fully offset out entire yearly use even
with changing all lights to LEDs, trying to be power miserly in our day-to-day activities, andeven using window fans to pull in outside air at night for cooling to avoid using the A/C
during the hot summer. The fans only work when nighttime temps drop into the low 60s,which doesn’t happen much in the Treasure Valley during July and August. And during
smoky days this is unhealthful and not recommended so we can’t do it then, either. As a result,we still end up buying some power from Idaho Power during the winter months because our
power credit built up over the summer isn’t quite enough. I have contemplated adding about10% more capacity by installing some more solar panels to my system. If Idaho Power is
allowed to implement it’s proposed rule that any additions to legacy systems would have to betreated as a separate, stand-alone system with its own connections and meter, and would be
subject to the new variable credit rate for returned power to the grid, this would make such anupgrade economically unfeasible by any measure. It’s not going to happen. This approach by
Idaho Power makes no sense. Idaho Power would have to track 2 different systems withdifferent rates at the same address. I would have 2 power bills to manage. How can they
consider this as a business benefit to them unless they plan to only credit back a significantlyreduced value well below the current 1 to 1 ratio for returned power on this addition? Also, if
Idaho Power implements its proposal to not provide a full 1 to 1 credit for power returned tothe grid from such systems going forward, these systems will even be less likely to be
economically feasible for homeowners. We in southern Idaho are right on the cusp of whetherthese solar systems are viable given the solar generating days available through the year versus
the power used for A/C in the summer and heating and other demands through the winter.There is only a glimmer of a chance this might work with a full 1 to 1 credit by Idaho Power
and any upgrades do not have to be managed as separate systems. It appears Idaho Power istrying to discourage private power generation that feeds excess power back into the system for
simple 1 to 1 credit when it occurs, thus making them the only economically viable source for power in the area they service. If I was considering a solar system now as a homeowner, under
the proposed rules, I would not follow through. It won’t pay for itself. "
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From:PUCWeb Notification
To:Jan Noriyuki
Subject:Notice: A comment was submitted to PUCWeb
Date:Wednesday, October 12, 2022 11:00:08 AM
The following comments were submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Dorian Hitchcock
Submission Time: Oct 12 2022 10:03AMEmail: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]Address: 330 S Hayes Ave
Pocatello , Id 83204
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Case ID: IPC-E-22-22
Comment: "After examining the Idaho Power study of the value of distributed generation andrecommended net metering rates, I conclude that it reveals significant short sightedness, and
self interest, in their determinations. Their significant undervaluing of customer generatedpower will have a detrimental effect on existing customers, a chilling effect on future solar
generation development, and undercut their own 100% clean energy goal. In the Idaho Powerstudy, they undervalue the energy costs that would be avoided by increased solar generation
because they use historical energy prices as a guide, which ignores the multitude of factorsthat are likely to push the cost of open market energy higher in the future. Their assessment of
avoided generation capacity also misses the mar, in that they assume that all local solar isexported to the grid, when in reality at least half is used on-site, saving the need for additional
capacity. Their assessment of deferred transmission and distribution costs assumes that thelocal solar would be evenly spread across the whole grid, when it is clearly the case that
generation would be concentrated in the more dense urban areas of the state, so the savings arenot adequately compensated for. And related to that is the avoided line losses, which were
computed using a 10 year old study of average losses rather than marginal losses, undercuttingthe savings by at least half. And when they looked to assess the integration costs of locally
produced solar, they used data from a study that completely ignored the amount of batterystorage their own plans include, which would reduce the fluctuations in supply vs. demand.
Idaho Power puts no value in the reduction of exposure to volatile gas prices, and completelyignore the impacts of climate change, economic growth caused by growing solar, and overall
resiliency of the grid that would be increased through local generation and storage, despite thefact that they told the public in 2021 that they would include those considerations in their
study. In summary, I see their study as clearly self interested, inadequate in scope, andhorribly detrimental to the best interests of rate payers, consumer solar producers, the local
solar industry, and puts the health and sustainability of our environment at risk. I feel that itwould be a drastic violation of the Public Utilities Commission's mission to "Determine fair,
just, reasonable and nondiscriminatory rates and utility practices" if you use Idaho Power'sdeeply flawed study to set rates without first commissioning a truly unbiased, independent,
and holistic examination of the total value and benefit local solar producers have upon thegrid, and for the rate payers of this state. Please do your duty, and reject Idaho Power's attempt
to unfairly punish the very investments in our future sustainability that they claim to support. "
From:PUCWeb Notification
To:Jan Noriyuki
Subject:Notice: A comment was submitted to PUCWeb
Date:Wednesday, October 12, 2022 12:00:08 PM
The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Jodi Marvel
Submission Time: Oct 12 2022 11:43AMEmail: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]Address: 1715 N 16th
Boise, ID 83702
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Case ID: IPC-E-22-22
Comment: "I'm concerned that Idaho Power is proposed reducing the rate it pays to residential customers with solar panels. I fully support Idaho Powers commit to provide 100% clean
energy by 2045. In fact I think that time period is too generous as we are already seeing the devastating impacts of climate change. Large scale generation facilities (like the Jackpot Solar
site referenced in Idaho Powers study summary) take years to get online. Residential solar panels represent an incredibly important feasible way to meet clean energy goals in a timely
and efficient manner. Comparing known existing known electrical generating capabilities with a potential new source with hypothetical prices is silly and everyone should see through Idaho
Powers attempt to take attention away from the real issue at hand. Idaho Power leads with the sentence, "Would you pay $10 — or even $5 — for something that may only be worth $2?" to
insinuate that Idaho Power is spending more on solar power than the power is worth to them, however, due to the nature of net metering, they can sell the power on the grid at exactly the
same price they pay. In reality, all Idaho power is asking is a transfer in profits from the solar panel owner to themselves. I am asking you, the public utility commission sign off on this
potentially devastating transfer of profits. I say potentially devastating because this will drastically reduce the incentives for homeowners to install solar panels which will increase the
need for Idaho Power to burn fossil fuels to provide power for households in our state. Idaho Power is not in danger of failing to thrive, however we as Idahoans are due to climate change.
Please do your part to ensure that solar panels remain a viable option for homeowners in Idaho. "
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From:PUCWeb Notification
To:Jan Noriyuki
Subject:Notice: A comment was submitted to PUCWeb
Date:Wednesday, October 12, 2022 2:00:06 PM
The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: William Carr
Submission Time: Oct 12 2022 1:20PMEmail: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]Address: 110 Highlands Dr
Sun Valley, ID 83353
Name of Utility Company: Idaho Power
Case ID: IPC-E-22-22
Comment: "Hello. I understand that Idaho Power will substantially cut the rate for rooftop solar power back to the grid. They are trying to cut that rate from 8-10 cents/kWh to 3.8 cents
(from 8-10 cents today). An independent study set the rate at 18.3 cents. How can Idaho Power justify such a change? How can our State stand behind this change that will make solar
even less affordable and reduce demand for emission-free energy?? This is unacceptable, William (Bill) Carr "
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From:Jan R Boles ([e-mail]) Sent You a Personal Message
To:Jan Noriyuki
Subject:IPC-E-22-22 Public Comment
Date:Wednesday, October 12, 2022 2:10:10 PM
CAUTION: This email originated outside the State of Idaho network. Verify links and attachments BEFORE you
click or open, even if you recognize and/or trust the sender. Contact your agency service desk with any concerns.
Dear Idaho Public Utilities Commission,
I am considering the addition of solar panels to my residence.
Please look carefully at the independent study conducted by Crossborder Energy, which points out several
shortcomings in Idaho Power's own study on the costs and benefits of customer-owned rooftop solar. Idaho Power
will use this study to justify trying to reduce compensation rates to solar owners. To arrive at fair rates, we first
need a fair study.
Crossborder's study states, "We conclude that Idaho Power?s choice of assumptions and calculation methods
significantly undervalue the five components that the utility quantified. We present our own calculations of an ECR
with these five elements. In addition, the VODER Study fails to quantify important benefits of distributed solar that
the Commission directed the utility to analyze in Order No. 35284 -- benefits that are known and measurable, will
impact rates, and will benefit Idaho ratepayers and citizens.?
Idahoans deserve solar rates based on a more fair and complete analysis. I urge you to reject Idaho Power's study
and look to Crossborder's study as a more accurate measure of the value (to ALL ratepayers) of customer-owned
solar power.
Sincerely,
Jan R Boles
16371 Frost Road
Caldwell, ID 83607
[e-mail]
[phone]
This message was sent by KnowWho, as a service provider, on behalf of an individual associated with Sierra Club.
If you need more information, please contact Lillian Miller at Sierra Club at [e-mail] or (415) 977-
5500.