20231109Comments_1.pdf

The following comment was submited via PUCWeb:

Name: Katherine Noble
Submission Time: Nov 8 2023 8:42PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 86 Freedom Loop
Bellevue, ID 83313

Name of U�lity Company: Idaho Power

Case ID: IPC-E-23-11

Comment: ""Global temperatures will pass a major milestone this decade, faster than earlier es�mates
predicted." NASA Scien�st, James Hansen. We can't afford to discourage anyone from switching to
clean power. So it is important that Idaho Power recognize the value of roo�op solar and solar
installa�ons on farms. Idaho Power should be forming partnerships with the people of Idaho, not trying
to be a monopoly.
Minnesota solar companies are offering 20 year leases to farmers for solar installa�ons, and then finding
sheep and goat farmers to contract graze the land under the panels. This is happening in Hawaii, the
Northeastern states, and up and down the east coast as well as Montana, Colorado and all over France,
Portugal, Spain and Italy. They have also learned that plants and solar panels don't compete for light.
The panels u�lize the green light spectrum and plants use the red spectrum so there isn't compe��on
for solar light.* It's a win win for all. Studies from Oregon State University show that grazing sheep on
irrigated pasture not only increases the forage, but sheep grow faster because of the shade the panels
provide, the forage lasts longer due to the par�al shade, and the solar panels produce more power
because they are cooler.
All Grazing animals need shade and solar panels can provide that. Catle ranchers who have partnered
with German power producers find that the catle grow bigger faster, and power produc�on increases at
the same �me.* By u�lizing farming acreages Power companies would not need to be proposing wind
and solar installa�ons on our public lands which all Idahoians want to keep natural and undeveloped.
The University of Colorado has worked with a 150 acre farm just north of Boulder grazing animals and
growing vegetables under solar panels. Jack's Garden has been in opera�on now for 3 years and they
have found that vegetables that get a couple of hours of shade each day grow faster, and solar panels
over growing vegeta�on benefit from the cooler temperatures as well and produce more power.
Where my farm is locate there are rela�vely frequent power outages which I could alleviate for the
power company if I had solar panels over my growing areas. However, the proposed Idaho power pricing
changes would eliminate any advantages for the farmer. The benefits would all go to Wall Street, not the
local Idaho resident and farmer.
If Idaho Power establishes fairer export rates and will keep them at the contracted price for 10 - 15 years,
smaller organic farmers will be able to get bank loans and put in solar.
For these reasons, I would like to see Idaho Power rethink their approach to power produc�on and
consider the ways they could be of benefit to the people of Idaho, not the investment bankers.
Thank you for the opportunity to present my research and express my recommenda�ons.
Sincerely,
Katherine Noble
86 Freedom Loop
Bellevue, Idaho
*American Solar Grazing Associa�on zoom programs *jackssolargarden.com *Ambrook Research"
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