20150615Comments (3 Total).pdf

Jean Jewell
From:Jean Jewell
Sent:Monday,June 15,2015 1:18 PM
To:Jean Jewell
Subject:FW:testimony
Attachments:Idaho Public Utilities Commission -Case Comment or Question Form.htm
From:Alan Hausrath [mailto:arhausrath©qmail.com]
Sent:Friday,June 12,2015 6:26 PM
To:Jean Jewell;Alan Hausrath
Subject:testimony
Dear Members of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission,
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on IPC-E-15-01,Idaho Power’s
request to modify the length of contracts for power purchased under
PURPA.I write as an Idaho Power bill payer,share holder,grandfather,
and Idahoan and I urge you to deny the company’s request for the
following reasons.
1.They are basically crying wolf.The company’s argument is that they
have no need for additional power at the moment and that PURPA
contracts result in unneeded,expensive power.However,PURPA permits
the company to purchase the power at “avoided cost.”Thus,as each
contract is executed,it provides the company with the cheapest possible
power at that time.Even if it is “excess power,”the company can shut
down some other,more expensive resource (which they all will be under
the rules of the game)and customers will benefit from the cheapest
possible portfolio.This has been a successful system across the
country and there is no reason to make PURPA projects impossible in
Idaho by drastically reducing the length of the contract.
2.This filing is essentially an attack on solar power.But Idaho is
solar country par excellence and money spent on solar stays in the
state,boosts the economy and the tax base,and provides jobs for
Idahoans.Money spent on coal power leaves our state and provides none
of these benefits.Since it seems that the only solar power in Idaho is
going to come from merchant plants,not from Idaho Power itself,the
IPUC should keep contract length at 20 years so that solar developers
can raise capital for their projects.
3.Many Idaho Power customers are surprised to learn how much coal the
company burns and wish it would burn less to protect the climate.The
best way to burn less coal is to use more solar and,given Idaho Power’s
lack of will to use solar energy,the only way to do that is to allow
solar developers to continue to find financing and build projects.A 20
year contract length is essential for this to occur.
4.Idaho Statute 61-515 directs the Idaho Public Utilities Commission
to “require every public utility to maintain and operate its line,
plant,system,equipment,apparatus and premises in such manner as to
1
promote and safeguard the health and safety of its employees,customers
and the public.’Today,one of the greatest long term threats to the
health and safety of all these groups is carbon dioxide pollution with
its attendant climate change.For the sake of our children and
grandchildren,the country has to stop burning coal,Idaho has to stop
using electricity generated by coal,and Idaho Power needs to reduce and
eventually eliminate its use of coal.One of the most cost effective
ways to do this is to let PURPA work and let solar developers develop
solar power plants.Please keep the 20 year contract length.
The conclusion is clear:Idaho Power doesn’t need to reduce contract
length and protection of its customers,and indeed all Idahoans’health
and safety also benefits from 20 year contracts.
Please turn down Idaho Power’s request for a shorter contract duration.
2
Jerome ft.School District No.261
District Office
125 4th Avenue West
Jerome,Idaho $3338
Telephone (20$)324-2392 •FAX [phone]
Dale Layne,Superintendent of Schools
June 12 2015 —1 c=
--Idaho Public Utilities Commission ,
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P0 Box 83720 j-fVL/-b
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472 West Washington P1+’O
Boise,Idaho 83720
Dear Commissioners:
As a public entity and Idaho Power customer,the Jerome School District No.261 supports the
request by Idaho Power to reduce the length of the guaranteed contract for large solar and wind
generation projects.
Jerome School District has an enrollment of approximately 3800 students and growing.We have
completed several capital projects in an effort to save energy and reduce our utility bills.We are
currently adding several thousand square feet to our buildings and are striving to include energy
saving equipment in those new additions.We are on a limited budget and take great effort to
find effective ways to reduce costs.If the request by Idaho Power to reduce the length of the
guaranteed contract for solar and wind projects is granted,we believe the savings will be passed
on to their customers;Jerome School District included.
We are a strong supporter of clean energy and support the reduction of carbon emissions.We
also believe there needs to be a balanced approach in regards to renewable energy sources such
as wind and solar and the cost burden that will be passed on to rate payers including Jerome
School District.
Jerome School District does not believe that Idaho Power should be locked into contracts for 20
years and,if price locking contracts are required,they should be for a shorter period of time.
We respectfully request your consideration regarding Idaho Power’s petition to modify the terms
and conditions of future PURPA energy sales agreements.
Respectfully,
Dale Layne
Superintendent of Schools
c.Board of Trustees
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June 15,2015
To Idaho Power Utilities Commission:
Independent Meat Company has been an Idaho business for mote than 110 years.As a long term
customer of Idaho Power,Independent Meat supports Idaho Power’s request to shorten the length of
guaranteed contracts for large solar and wind generation projects.
The relatively low cost of power in Idaho has a direct effect on our ability to remain competitive in a
very difficult global market place.Keeping power cost competitive is very important to us and many
other Idaho company’s we support and do business with.
If Idaho Power is required to commit to long term contracts to purchase power that is not needed and
unreliable at best,it will have a long term negative economic impact on our business,and may have a
direct effect on our ability to expand in the future.
We strongly request that the Idaho Public Utilities Commission,support Idaho Power’s petition to keep
renewable energy/solar contracts to a period of two years.
Thank you,
Edward R.Stephens
President
Independent Meat Company
INDEPENDENT MEAT COMPANY •P0.BOX EE •TWIN FALLS IDAHO 83303-0028 •PHONE:[phone] •FAX:[phone]