© Provided by KTVB-TV BoiseThis article originally appeared in Idaho Press .
At a meeting of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission Thursday night, several high school students, homeowners and businesses spoke out against Idaho Power's study on the costs and benefits of solar energy.
Many speakers questioned the study, calling it biased, flawed, and an example of a fox guarding a chicken coop. They fear that if passed, the proposed reduction in ECR - the rate paid for solar generators that power the grid - will discourage people from using rooftop solar panels in their homes.
“Our members would like to see more solar panels in their communities to fight the climate crisis, improve public health, grow our green energy economy, create green jobs, improve local grid resilience and stabilize energy bills,” Sierra CEO Club, Idaho. boyfriend Lisa. He said in court. "They are concerned that Idaho Power's efforts to phase out solar power in the country will put this important opportunity out of reach for the Idaho community at a time when we need it most."
People crowded into the courtroom, where about 50 people signed up to testify. Most of the participants were from Treasure Valley. This was the third incident related to this investigation. The first meeting of the Housing Committee was held on October 27 in Pocatello, and the second on Wednesday in Twin Falls. The Equipment Committee accepted written comments on the study until Friday 5:00 pm.
The study, titled The Cost of Distributed Energy Resources, or VODER, looked at home-generated solar power, including costs and benefits, and how extra solar households are compensated by Idaho Power. As a result of the study, Idaho Power has proposed lowering the export credit rate for people who installed solar panels after December 2019 from 8-10 cents per kilowatt-hour to 2.8-4 cents per kilowatt-hour, based on previous analysis. From the Sierra Club.
Jordan Rodriguez, Communications Specialist at Idaho Power, responded to a written request for comment on Friday: “Idaho Power supports solar and affordability for all customers. We appreciate this opportunity to listen to the public and look forward to further engagement as this work continues. ."
Some of Thursday's testimony said the commission should demand an independent investigation and described the facility as the monopoly's intention to retain control of domestic energy markets.
“This is not an investigation, ladies and gentlemen, this is PR,” said Boise resident Jim Van Dinter.
Several speakers expressed concern that they would not be able to offset enough of the energy they produced to allow them to recoup their solar investment in a reasonable amount of time. Caldwell resident Nathan Grant said he installed the solar panels in August to attract the attention of his growing family, but now worries he won't see results any time soon if the study is accepted.
“This is contrary to the purpose of our use of solar energy,” Grant said. "That's why I think it's very important that we be allowed to buy kilowatt-hours by kilowatt-hours, especially for young families on a budget and people on a fixed income."
Others have criticized the study for excluding the environmental and human health benefits of reducing carbon pollution.
Boise resident Jacob Anderson said the promotion of rooftop solar will help Idaho Power reach its goal of being 100% clean by 2045.
“We all need to act on climate change now, not in 2045,” Anderson said. “So with an army of homeowners now ready to use their inventory to generate zero-carbon electricity and protect the environment, Idaho Power wants to save Idaho Power from having to spend money on costly transmission and distribution upgrades if you are building a new power plant. Expensive, so why is Idaho Power discouraging them by trying to lower the cost of the power they feed into the grid?”
“A commitment to clean energy and the advancement of faith alone in communities that depend on this energy,” said Molly O'Sullivan, principal of Bishop Kelly High School.
Representatives and owners of Idaho Solar Corporation said the move would dampen customer interest in installing solar panels and impact an industry that has flourished in the state in recent years.
“In general, people in the area are using solar energy not only as a renewable energy but also as a way of life and business,” said Blackfoot resident Teresa Morin, who said she works for a solar company that employs 150 people. Nation.
It doesn't make sense for Idaho Power to promote solar at a time when the federal government is increasing incentives, said Dylan Davis, a Meridian resident and owner of a solar power company.
"I'll leave my comment with that in mind: should we consider adding another electric company instead of penalizing solar consumers?" Davis said. "Imagine if Chevron was the only gas station in town."
The cut in export credit rates will limit Idaho's choices about where and how to get renewable energy, which is "against Idaho's values," said Rachel Miller, general manager of Boise-based RevoluSun. He suggested that the telecommunications industry draw an analogy with how the commission regulates access to solar energy.
“We don't dictate whether people have cell phones,” Miller said. “We don't force them to use landlines. And our politicians do not enact or support laws preventing them from buying cell phones in the name of protecting their access to communications. And we certainly don't let them have them. .. Be careful."
The Sierra Club announced Thursday that the next step in that process will be for the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to decide whether to accept the study, leading to hearings to determine new export credit rates in the spring. He heard
This article was originally published by Idaho Press, read more at IdahoPress.com .
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