The Idaho Legislature and the state’s energy office are in the midst of the first major review of the Idaho Energy Plan since it was adopted in 2007, but unlike five years ago, this shaping of Idaho’s energy policies so far is being done with little public review or participation.
“Unless you attended a legislative interim committee meeting on Sept. 28, you probably didn’t know that the public has until Oct. 21 to submit comments about changes to the 2007 Idaho Energy Plan, let alone where to send those comments,” said Ken Miller, Clean Energy Program Director at the Snake River Alliance. “The public was just notified today, through a link on the Legislature’s website, about this important chance to get involved. We have to get the word out that some big decisions are going to be made about where the state should head in meeting our future energy needs.”
The Idaho Legislature adopted the Idaho Energy Plan in 2007 after extensive public involvement and public hearings through much of 2006. It was the first state energy policy in a quarter century. That plan called for a five-year review to update the document and to reflect changes that have taken place in the fast-moving energy world. The Legislature’s Interim Energy, Environment and Technology Committee was tasked with the review, and is in the process of updating the plan in time to present it to the 2012 Legislature.
The Interim Energy Committee asked the Office of Energy Resources and its Idaho Strategic Energy Alliance (ISEA) for assistance in updating the state’s energy plan. The ISEA submitted one draft to the Committee in September, and after a final meeting on the document on Oct. 7 submitted its final version to the Committee Thursday afternoon, cutting short the public’s chance to review and respond to it.
“This has been one of the best-kept secrets in state government,” Miller said. “Unfortunately, there has been little in the way of public outreach to let Idahoans know their state energy plan is being rewritten. Energy is a big deal in Idaho; it touches the lives of Idahoans in so many ways. Involving Idahoans in these policy issues should be a priority, but so far the public has been left on the sidelines.”
In its comments to the Interim Energy Committee on the Energy Plan, the Alliance is asking the committee to extend the public comment period indefinitely. The Alliance also expressed concerns that while the initial ISEA draft revisions to the Energy Plan contained creative and forward-looking policy recommendations crafted by ISEA Task Force members, the ISEA’s 11-member Board of Directors, which includes five utility representatives, made several changes that if accepted by the Legislature would weaken many parts of the Energy Plan.
“For instance, the ISEA decided to remove all tax and related incentives to encourage Idaho homeowners and businesses to add new energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to their homes and businesses. Incentives like these are the backbone of strategic energy plans. And now Idahoans were asked to submit comments before the ISEA submitted its proposed revisions. This process has been, at best, extremely awkward.”
The public can submit comments on the 2007 Energy Plan and what they think the new 2012 Energy Plan should look like via e-mail to Mike Nugent at the Legislative Services Office at mnugent@lso.idaho.gov The number for Legislative Services is 208-334-2475. The ISEA’s submittal to the Committee can be found on the Legislature’s website at www.legislature.idaho.gov and by clicking the “Interim Committees” link.
In addition, the Interim Committee will consider ISEA’s recommended revisions and other comments when it meets from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, in the Tamarack Room of the Double Tree Hotel in Garden City.
The Alliance has also released a 33-page report on the status of the 2007 Energy Plan’s implementation, which shows most of the plan’s action items have yet to be acted upon. That report can be downloaded at www.snakeriveralliance.org
The Snake River Alliance works for responsible solutions to nuclear waste and a nuclear-free future. It seeks to strengthen Idaho's economy and communities through the implementation of renewable energy sources in Idaho and the promotion of energy efficiency and conservation.
Liz Woodruff, Executive Director
208-344-9161 (w); 208-871-4597 (c)
Ken Miller, Clean Energy Program Director
208-344-9161 (w); 208 841-6982 (c)
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