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Home My WebLink About20230518Comments_7.pdf1 The following comment was submited via PUCWeb: Name: Nathan Lehrman Submission Time: May 17 2023 9:06PM Email: lehrmanhousehold@gmail.com Telephone: 208-917-4775 Address: 1134 N Ethridge Place Boise, ID 83704 Name of U�lity Company: Idaho Power Case ID: IPC-E-23-14 Comment: "In a review of this proposed change to compensa�on, my concern is that the declared es�mate of "30%" increase will be more than that once the plan is implemented. The concerning language in the proposal was that the compensa�on would ﬂuctuate based on variables determined by Idaho Power, and could shi� from year to year. Many of us switched to solar to create stability in our u�lity costs. Plus, we are genera�ng power that Idaho Power gets to sell to other customers. If they plan to charge us the retail rate for the power, can we receive the retail rate when they take our excess power? Secondly, as men�oned above, many solar users switched to solar to create stability. It's egregious to dras�cally change the compensa�on plans on the current solar users. This commission has protected other solar users in the past, aka the "grandfathered" group in a ruling that protected any solar producer that had their system installed by 2019. If the commission plans to approve this new plan by Idaho Power, they at minimum must grandfather the current solar owners from this change. We have invested 10's of thousands of dollars in our systems. Part of that investment came from looking at Idaho Power's compensa�on program. If they change the program, it's not like we can readily return or system or get a refund on our investment. We are stuck with the system, and it's up to the IPUC to protect the residents from this erroneous disingenuous proposal. Or if they are interested in considering this change, the IPUC should at least order Idaho Power to pay for an independent study to analyze solar in Idaho before considering this mater further. From my understanding, Idaho Power paid for the current study that let to this rate change proposal. " ------------------------------------------------------------------ The following comments were submited via PUCWeb: Name: brian �sh Submission Time: May 18 2023 2:05PM Email: b_�sh@msn.com Telephone: 208-989-0393 Address: 16358 w. linden caldwell, ID 83607 Name of U�lity Company: idaho power 2 Case ID: IPC-E-23-14 Comment: "I am wri�ng in reference to the on-sight genera�on price increase. I no mater what have to pay $5.16 fee every month I would think this fee is for the maintenance of the grid is it not? If not then what is it for? I too keep hearing how Idaho Power wants to or has to go to renewable sources and roo�op solar is one way of ge�ng to that goal. And if Idaho Power and or the IPUC think roo�op solar is a money losing venture then maybe Idaho Power should not allow grid �e systems. I too do not believe it is right to be able to go back mul�ple years and change the rules. " ------------------------------------------------------------------ Name: Keith Nyeki Submission Time: May 18 2023 2:28PM Email: keithnyeki@gmail.com Telephone: 208-890-4164 Address: 6868 E Prosperity St. Boise, ID 83716 Name of U�lity Company: Idaho Power Case ID: IPC-E-23-14 Comment: "Dear Idaho Public U�li�es Commission, I am wri�ng to express my deep concerns and disappointment regarding the recent rejec�on of the third-party study and the devalua�on of the collabora�on with "aﬃliate par�es" to assess the value of solar energy in Idaho. As a homeowner who made the conscious decision to invest in solar power in order to be more energy independent, I believe it is crucial to address the following points: No checks and balances for how Idaho Power handles the accoun�ng of credits: It is alarming to learn that there are no established mechanisms in place to ensure transparency and fairness in how Idaho Power handles the accoun�ng of credits associated with solar energy genera�on. This lack of oversight raises ques�ons about the accuracy and reliability of the billing system and undermines the conﬁdence of solar energy producers like myself. Current IPUC members were not on the board when the Voder study was accepted: Given the signiﬁcant changes in the composi�on of the IPUC board since the acceptance of the Voder study, it is impera�ve that a new study be presented to reﬂect the perspec�ves and exper�se of the current members. A comprehensive assessment conducted by the present board would provide a more accurate representa�on of the value of solar energy in Idaho. Unfair treatment of maintenance costs: It is unjus�ﬁable that Idaho Power expects customers to bear the burden of maintenance costs associated with solar power, while failing to compensate customers for their own maintenance costs related to energy produc�on and distribu�on. This inconsistency in cost alloca�on needs to be rec�ﬁed to ensure equitable treatment of all par�es involved. 3 Omission of the monetary value of environmental beneﬁts of solar: Idaho Power claims that the Voder study was comprehensive, yet it conveniently omited any considera�on of the monetary value of the environmental beneﬁts associated with solar energy. Failing to account for the posi�ve environmental impact of solar power undermines the true value it provides to the community and disregards the urgent need to transi�on towards cleaner energy sources. Inconsistency in compensa�on method: It is puzzling that Idaho Power originally requested a kilowat- hour (kWh) compensa�on method for ease of accoun�ng, only to change their stance now. This sudden shi� raises suspicions about the mo�va�ons behind the decision and calls into ques�on the credibility of the company's claims. Lack of genuine collabora�on with aﬃliated par�es and the public: Idaho Power asserts that the Voder study was designed in coordina�on with aﬃliated par�es and the public, but evidence suggests otherwise. The absence of meaningful engagement with stakeholders casts doubt on the legi�macy of the study's ﬁndings and the extent to which the concerns and perspec�ves of various stakeholders were genuinely considered. Misleading claim of customer understanding: Idaho Power maintains that the study and proposal are easily understandable to the average customer. However, this claim does not align with the reality of the complex and technical nature of the subject mater. It is essen�al to ensure that informa�on provided to customers is accurate, accessible, and transparent to enable informed decision-making. Veriﬁca�on of appraisal accuracy and completeness: Idaho Power's commitment to providing an annual appraisal and impact of reliability to assess the new Energy Cost Recovery (ECR) raises the ques�on of who veriﬁes the accuracy and completeness of this appraisal. Without an independent veriﬁca�on process, there is a risk of poten�al bias or error, which could further undermine the integrity of the valua�on process. Contradic�on in solar produc�on beneﬁts during peak �mes: Idaho Power contradicts its own conclusion in the Voder study by atribu�ng a value of 20 cents per kilowat-hour during peak hours, while simultaneously claiming that no beneﬁt exists for solar produc�on during these �mes. This inconsistency raises doubts about the company's assessment methods and calls into ques�on the validity of their overall ﬁndings. Given these concerns, I urge the Idaho Public U�li�es Commission to reconsider its decision and undertake a thorough review of the valua�on of solar energy in Idaho. It is crucial to ensure transparency, fairness, and accuracy in assessing the true value of solar power, both in terms of economic and environmental beneﬁts. By doing so, we can foster an environment that supports renewable energy development and empowers homeowners like myself to make informed decisions about sustainable energy choices. Thank you for your aten�on to this mater. I trust that the Idaho Public U�li�es Commission will give due considera�on to the points raised in this leter and take appropriate ac�on to rec�fy the issues at hand. Yours sincerely, Keith Nyeki" ------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 The following comments were submited via PUCWeb: Name: David Garman Submission Time: May 18 2023 3:11PM Email: dkgarman@gmail.com Telephone: 208-598-4746 Address: 4923 E Sagewood Drive Boise, ID 83716 Name of U�lity Company: Idaho Power Case ID: IPC-E-23-14 Comment: "I am an Idaho resident and residen�al ratepayer. Idaho Power is my energy provider. I am now re�red, but I was an Assistant Secretary and the Under Secretary of Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy during the Bush Administra�on. Subsequent to that I was Chair of the Electric Power Research Ins�tute's (EPRI) Advisory Council, and I served on several Advisory Boards to Universi�es, Na�onal Labs and the Na�onal Academies in roles pertaining to electric power genera�on, transmission, distribu�on and use. I also own grid-connected solar PV energy systems for my homes in Boise and Riggins. Thus, I am personally capitalizing power genera�on resources that are extremely valuable to other ratepayers (and society as a whole) by virtue of their ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to promote grid resilience and reliability, and to keep electricity more aﬀordable by reducing overall investments in genera�on and transmission that ratepayers would otherwise have to bear. The Idaho Public U�lity Commission has a diﬃcult task in assessing the TRUE value of solar including ALL the economic and environmental beneﬁts that accrue to ratepayers as a consequence of the solar investments on-site generators have self-ﬁnanced. I challenge you to avoid being �mid in your assessment. We are at the doorstep of a climate crisis, and it is �me that we act like it. Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Sincerely, David Garman " ------------------------------------------------------------------ Name: Derik Scudder Submission Time: May 18 2023 3:36PM Email: Derikscudder@yahoo.com Telephone: 208-484-9084 Address: 2574 East Gloucester Street Boise, ID 83706 Name of U�lity Company: Idaho Power 5 Case ID: IPC-E-23-14 Comment: "Please consider all of the following points: • IPUC rejected the third-party study and devalued the “aﬃliate par�es” collabora�on to assess value of Solar energy. • No checks and balances for how Idaho power handles accoun�ng of credits. • Current IPUC members were not on the board when Voder study was accepted, therefore a new study should be presented. • Idaho Power wants customers to pay for maintenance costs, however customers are not compensated for their own maintenance costs for producing/distribu�ng energy. • Idaho Power claims the Voder study was comprehensive yet le� out any monetary value of environmental beneﬁt of Solar. • Idaho Power originally requested a Kwh compensa�on for ease of accoun�ng, why change now? • Idaho Power claims to have designed the Voder study in coordina�on with the aﬃliated par�es and public. FALSE • The study and proposal are claimed to be understandable to the average customer. FALSE • Idaho Power will provide an annual appraisal and impact of reliability to assess new ECR. Who veriﬁes the accuracy and completeness of this appraisal? • Idaho Power claimed in Voder study that no beneﬁt existed for solar produc�on during peak �mes yet negates their own conclusion by atribu�ng 20 cents per kilowat during peak hours. Idaho Power is asking you, the commission appointed to ensure these monopolis�c u�lity organiza�ons, to further allow them to proﬁt oﬀ the par�es who have taken the risk of purchasing solar. Please consider the importance of your posi�on, and the fact that Idaho Power con�nues to record record proﬁts already. They are not facing dire ﬁnancial issues as a consequence of public par�es inves�ng in solar, but they are not happy. Please refuse this request from Idaho Power. They made $970 million in proﬁts in 2022. $970 million!!! Do not kill solar energy investment by homeowners in favor of greedy power. Respec�ully, Derik Scudder" ------------------------------------------------------------------ Name: Stephen Veals Submission Time: May 18 2023 3:57PM Email: stephen_veals@hotmail.com Telephone: 208-600-2122 Address: 130 E Melrose Street Boise, ID 83706 Name of U�lity Company: Idaho Power Case ID: IPC-E-23-14 6 Comment: "I do not support Idaho Power's proposed change to Net Billing from a Net Metering model. As a solar genera�ng customer, my $17,500 new solar panel set up was meant to help Idaho Power during peak load �mes, and stressed grid days made worse by climate change and I took on the approach of trying to help out the grid with clean, green energy. If I generate a kilowat hour, I should be compensated for that exact kilowat hour's price. Not at some reduced price that Idaho Power gets to set. We as solar genera�ng homeowners took a huge ﬁnancial risk in ge�ng solar installed on our homes, and now Idaho Power wants to knee cap us for more proﬁts. This is completely unacceptable and please do not approve their proposed change to Net Billing. Thank you. Sincerely, Stephen Veals" ------------------------------------------------------------------ (Duplicate Comment) -----Original Message----- From: PUCWeb No�ﬁca�on <Do.Not.Reply@puc.idaho.gov> Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2023 4:00 PM To: ConsumerComplaintsWeb Subject: No�ce: A complaint was submited to PUCWeb The following complaint was submited via PUCWeb: Name: Stephen Veals Submission Time: May 18 2023 3:58PM Email: stephen_veals@hotmail.com Telephone: 208-600-2122 Address: 130 E Melrose Street Boise, ID 83706 Name of U�lity Company: Idaho Power Contacted U�lity: No Comment: "I do not support Idaho Power's proposed change to Net Billing from a Net Metering model. As a solar genera�ng customer, my $17,500 new solar panel set up was meant to help Idaho Power during peak load �mes, and stressed grid days made worse by climate change and I took on the approach of trying to help out the grid with clean, green energy. If I generate a kilowat hour, I should be compensated for that exact kilowat hour. Not at some reduced price that Idaho Power gets to set. We as solar genera�ng homeowners took a huge ﬁnancial risk in ge�ng solar installed on our homes, and now Idaho Power wants to knee cap us for more proﬁts. This is completely unacceptable and please do not approve their proposed change to Net Billing. Thank you. Sincerely, 7 Stephen Veals"