Net-Metered Whining BUT COLLECTIVELY!

TO          Idaho Public Utilities Commission
               PO Box 83720
               Boise, ID 83702

RE: Proposed Changes to Rocky Mountain Power’s Net Metering Program for its Idaho Customers

Our family has had a 4.72 kWp solar power installation at our house for just over a year. We’ve enjoyed the opportunity to produce our own power, do our part to help conserve the environment, and put our family on a long-term plan to save money.

With Rocky Mountain Power looking to change its net metering system in Idaho, we have some concerns and questions. Notably: Why is Rocky Mountain Power offering its Idaho customers a less-appealing deal than it agreed to in Utah with its customers and the Utah Division of Public Utilities? I realize this is a question best answered by Rocky Mountain Power, but as the Idaho Public Utilities Commission is in a much stronger position to bargain with Rocky Mountain Power on behalf of Idaho solar customers, I’m addressing this same question to the commission.

As I’m sure the commission knows, Rocky Mountain Power asked your Utah counterpart for a change in net metering. What was agreed to in 2017 is that existing net metering customers of Rocky Mountain Power in Utah would be guaranteed no changes to their net metering agreement with Rocky Mountain Power through 2035. The deal Rocky Mountain Power is offering its current Idaho net metering customers is far less generous, with changes being phased in ten years after the change, not the 18 years offered its Utah customers.

I don’t pretend to understand the complexities of producing and buying power and providing it for customers spread over a wide geographic area. I recognize Rocky Mountain Power needs money to maintain and upgrade its investments in power production and distribution. I also recognize one of the reasons Rocky Mountain Power is asking for changes to net metering in Idaho is meant to ensure its solar-power generating customers pay their fair share of maintaining that network. But I would also expect Rocky Mountain Power to treat its Idaho net metering customers as equitably as it treats its Utah customers.

While I appreciate Rocky Mountain Power is looking to protect all of its customers by asking for a change to net metering in Idaho in order to ensure its net metering customers are paying their fair share of system maintenance costs, Rocky Mountain Power should also recognize that we as solar customers have ongoing costs which will take longer to pay off under their proposed changes to net metering. We’ve done our part, including using the full amount of our federal tax credits for our solar installation to help pay the loan we took out to install solar power at our house. Like Rocky Mountain Power, we’re interested in being able to pay the bills. I feel the utility’s proposed changes to net metering for its Idaho customers will swing the situation too far in the utility’s favor.

Thanks for your time,

Brian Davidson