20050701Press Release.pdf

IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Case Nos. IPC-05-17, Order No. 29814; IPC-05-18, Order No. 29813
July 1 2005
Contact: Gene Fadness [phone]
Website: www.puc.idaho.2ov
Commission OKs Idaho Power sales agreements with Burley area wind projects
Boise - The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has approved two energy sales agreements
between Idaho Power Company and two wind power proj ects 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 and
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.
The projects 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 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.
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.
A full text of the commission s order, along with other documents related to this case, are
available on the commission s Web site at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on "File Room" and then
on "Electric Cases" and scroll down to the case numbers at the top of this press release.
Interested parties may petition the commission for reconsideration by no later than July 22.
Petitions for reconsideration must set forth specifically why the petitioner contends that the order
is unreasonable, unlawful or erroneous. Petitions should include a statement of the nature and
quantity of evidence the petitioner will offer if reconsideration is granted.
Petitions can be delivered to the commission at 472 W. Washington 8t. in Boise, mailed to P.
Box 83720, Boise, ill, 83720-0074, or faxed to 208-334-3762.