20050315Press Release.pdf

IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Case No. IPC-05-, IPC-05-, IPC-05-, IPC-05-
March 15, 2005
Contact: Gene Fadness [phone]
Website: www.puc.idaho.2ov
Idaho Power wants to buy wind from Hagerman area projects
Boise - The Idaho Public Utilities Commission is taking comments through April 5 on an Idaho
Power Company proposal to buy wind energy from four wind proj ects in the Hagerman area.
Combined, the projects 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. All four of the projects
are in the same area as the Fossil Gulch project, another 10-MW project approved by the
commission last year.
Each of the projects will qualify as a small power production facility eligible for rates set by the
commission under the federal Public Utilities 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.
In addition to these projects, Idaho Power recently initiated a bid process for 200 megawatts of
wind generation, with March 10 as the closing date for bids. Idaho Power expects to add as much
as 350 megawatts of wind energy to its generating portfolio.
The commission will proceed under a modified procedure that allows these four cases to be
handled through written public comments rather than by public hearing. Those wishing to submit
comments must do so by no later than April 5. Comments are accepted via e-mail by accessing
the commission s homepage at www.puc.idaho.gov and clicking on "Comments & Questions.
Fill in the case number (IPC-05-, 7, 8 and 9) and enter your comments. Comments can also
be mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 or faxed to [phone].