180628 IPC net metering reconsideration.pdf

Case No. IPC-E-17-13
Order No. 34098
Contact: Matt Evans
Office: [phone]
Cell: [phone]
www.puc.idaho.gov

Commission grants reconsideration petition
in net metering case

BOISE (June 28, 2018) – The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has granted a petition to
reconsider a recent order regarding Idaho Power customers who generate their own electricity.
A petition for reconsideration allows any party to contest a Commission order.
The petition filed by Vote Solar stems from a Commission’s decision in May calling for the creation
of two new customer classes for customers enrolled in Idaho Power’s net metering program.
The program was created in 1983 for customers who generate their own energy, primarily via
rooftop solar panels.
The name net metering refers to the fact that those customers are charged for the “net” amount of
energy they use each month, due to the fact that their consumption can be offset or eliminated by
exporting excess energy onto Idaho Power’s system.
Since a portion of the costs associated with operating and maintaining the electric grid are included
in rates, Idaho Power contended that the configuration of the net metering program allowed its
participants to avoid paying its fair share of those costs.
In its order, the Commission determined that differences in the electricity usage and load
characteristics created the need to create new customer classes for those with on-site generation.
Vote Solar was the only party to petition for reconsideration of the order.
Its petition asked the Commission to revise the order to apply only to customers who export
electricity to the grid.

In granting Vote Solar’s request, the Commission said reconsideration is limited to the issue
addressed in the petition.
The Commission set a deadline of Aug. 10 for any interested parties to submit material related to
whether a customer’s ability to export energy should determine their inclusion in the new customer
classes, and an Aug. 24 deadline to file responsive briefs.
“We are particularly interested in information about export limiting devices, effects of battery
storage, additional information on the meaning and repercussions of “in parallel” connection, and
the masking of usage created by hourly analysis of customer and company energy exchanges,” the
Commission said.
The Commission has a limited timeframe, dictated by Idaho Code, within which it reconsiders its
original findings. Once an order on reconsideration is issued, that decision can be appealed directly
to the Idaho Supreme Court.
The Commission’s order and other documents related to this case are available for review on the
Commission’s website, www.puc.idaho.gov. Under “Open Cases”, select “Electric” and scroll down to
Case No. IPC-E-17-13. Or go here.