20050426Press Release.pdf

IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Case No. IPC-05-6, IPC-05-7, IPC-05-8, IPC-05-
April 26, 2005
Contact: Gene Fadness [phone]
Website: www.puc.idaho.2ov
Commission OKs Idaho Power contracts with Hagerman area wind projects
Boise - The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has approved an Idaho Power Company proposal
to buy wind energy from four wind proj ects in the Hagerman area. Combined, the proj ects can
sell Idaho Power up to 40 average megawatts on a monthly basis. One megawatt is enough
electricity to provide power to about 850 homes.
Each of the four projects consists of seven 1.5 MW wind turbines. The projects are Thousand
Springs Wind Park, Pilgrim Stage Station Wind Park, Oregon Trail Wind Park and Tuana Gulch
Wind Park, all owned by Montana-based Exergy Development Group.
While all the commenting parties to the case support wind energy, some expressed concerns
regarding the turbines' environmental impact and light pollution. The commission noted that
siting issues are outside the commission s statutory jurisdiction and are typically decided by
county boards of commissioners and local planning and zoning authorities. The commission
encouraged citizens concerned about siting issues to participate in those local discussions and
public hearings.
Each of the wind projects will qualify as a small power production facility eligible for rates set
by the commission under the federal Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act, passed by Congress
during the energy crisis of the late 1970s. PURP A encourages development of renewable energy
technologies as alternatives to burning fossil fuels or constructing new power plants. The federal
act requires that electric utilities offer to buy power produced by small power producers or
cogenerators who obtain Qualifying Facility (QF) status. The rate to be paid to project
developers is to be equal to the cost the electric utility avoids if it would have had to generate the
power itself or buy it from another source.
Copies of the commission s order and related documents to this case are available on the
commission s homepage at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on "File Room " and then on "Electric
Cases " and scroll down to the appropriate case number (IPC-05-, 7, 8 and 9). Petitions for
reconsideration must be filed by no later than May 16 and can be mailed to P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074 or faxed to [phone].