20221014Idaho Power VODER Study Public Hearings.pdf

Case No. IPC-E-22-22
Order No. 35558
Contact: Adam Rush
Office: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

NEWS RELEASE: Idaho Public Utilities Commission schedules hearings to take public
testimony on Idaho Power net-metering study.

BOISE (Oct. 14, 2022) – The Idaho Public Utilities Commission will host three public hearings
to take testimony on a net-metering study conducted by
Idaho Power to examine the costs, benefits and compensation of net-excess energy associated
with customer on-site generation.

In June of this year, Idaho Power released the Value of Distributed Energy Resources, or
VODER study of its on-site generation program. The program allows Idaho Power customers to
pay an independent contractor to have solar panels or other systems installed on their homes or
property and then receive credit from the utility for the surplus energy they deliver to it.

The hearings are an opportunity for the public to submit testimony that will become part of the
record.

The first public hearing will be Thursday, Oct. 27, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Red Lion
Hotel in Pocatello, 1555 Pocatello Creek Road. Those attending in-person will have the
opportunity to submit testimony. People may also listen to the testimony by calling 1-415-655-
0001 and entering meeting number 2460 338 6337.

The second hearing will be Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the auditorium at
the Vera C. O’Leary Middle School in Twin Falls, 2350 Elizabeth Boulevard. Those attending
in-person will have the opportunity to submit testimony. People may also listen to the testimony
by calling 1-415-655-0001 and entering meeting number 2455 251 2587.

The third hearing will be on Thursday, Nov. 3, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Idaho Public
Utilities Commission, 11331 W. Chinden Boulevard, Building 8, Suite 201-A. Those attending
in-person will have the opportunity to submit testimony. People may also listen to the testimony
by calling 1-415-655-0001 and enter meeting number 2454 163 5014.

Those calling in won’t be able to submit testimony, but will be able to listen.

Previous orders from the public utilities commission led to the creation of the VODER study. On
Dec. 20, 2019, the commission directed Idaho Power to prepare and file a credible and fair study
of the costs and benefits of distributed on-site generation to Idaho Power’s system. On Dec. 30,
2021, the commission issued an order that determined specific topics and issues to be covered in
the study.

Also on Dec. 20, 2019, the commission granted legacy treatment to customers who had installed,
or submitted an application to install with a financial commitment, an on-site generation system
under Schedules 6 and 8 (Case No. IPC-E-18-15, Order No. 34509.) Customers in Schedule 6
and Schedule 8 are residential and small general service customers.

Schedule 84 defines the terms for commercial, industrial, and irrigation customers who are
participating in on-site generation. In Case No. IPC-E-20-26, Order No. 34854, customers in this
schedule were given legacy treatment under the same conditions as customers in Schedules 6 and
8 above.

The primary objective of the on-site generation study and corresponding modifications to the
program is to establish a sustainable on-site generation program that is fair and equitable. Ideally,
the parameters of the program should minimize or eliminate cross-subsidies that could exist
between participants and non-participants of on-site generation.

Members of the public who are not parties to the case may submit comments regarding whether
or not they think the study satisfies the public utility commission’s directives the study was to
address. Written comments in support or opposition can be filed no later than Friday, Nov. 4,
2022. Comments are required to be filed by e-mail unless e-mail is unavailable. To submit
comments via e-mail, please visit the commission’s webpage at puc.idaho.gov. Click on the
“Case Comment Form” link toward the top left of the page. Please use case number IPC-E-22-22
when filling out the form. Any comments should also be sent to Idaho Power at the e-mail
addresses listed below. If e-mail is unavailable, comments may be mailed to the commission and
Idaho Power at these addresses:

For the Idaho Public Utilities Commission:

Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
[e-mail]
Street Address for Express Mail:

11331 W. Chinden Blvd.
Building 8, Suite 201-A
Boise, ID 83714

For Idaho Power:

Lisa D. Nordstrom
Megan Goicoechea Allen
Idaho Power Company
1221 West Idaho Street
Boise, ID 83702
P.O. Box 70
Boise, ID 83707

E-mail addresses:
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

Timothy Tatum
Connie Aschenbrenner
Grant Anderson
Idaho Power
1221 West Idaho Street
Boise, ID 83702
P.O. Box 70
Boise, ID 83707

E-mail addresses:
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

To learn more about the VODER study, please visit: puc.idaho.gov/case/Details/6879.