20050606Press Release.pdf

IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Case Nos. IPC-05-17, IPC-05-
June 6, 2005
Contact: Gene Fadness [phone]
Website: www.puc.idaho.20v
Idaho Power wants to buy from Burley area wind projects
Boise - The Idaho Public Utilities Commission is taking comments through June 24 on an Idaho
Power Co. request to buy wind power from two projects in the Burley area.
Montana-based Exergy Development Group is the developer of both projects, Burley Butte Wind
Park and Golden Valley Wind Park.
Both projects include seven, 1.5-megwatt wind turbines. Burley Butte is about six miles west of
three miles south of Burley. Golden Valley is about 6.5 miles west and six miles south of Burley.
Burley Butte is scheduled to begin operating by Dec. 1 2005, and Golden Valley by June 1
2006.
If approved, the projects would qualify as small power production facilities 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 197 Os, 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.
Under normal conditions, the projects will not generate more than 10 average megawatts per
month. If energy in excess of that amount is generated, Idaho Power proposes to accept the
energy, but will not pay for it.
The commission will proceed under a modified procedure that allows these 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 June 24. 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-05-17 for Golden Valley and IPC-05-18 for Burley Butte) and
enter your comments. Comments can also be mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ill 83720-0074
or faxed to [phone].