20051108press release.htm

./110905_IPColandfillgas_files/filelist.xml IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
9.35 pt 2 IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Case No. IPC-E-05-29 November 8, 2005 Contact: Gene Fadness (208) 334-0339 office; [phone] cell

Website:
http://www.puc.idaho.gov/www.puc.idaho.gov

Idaho Power may buy energy from Ada landfill

Idaho Power is seeking approval of a purchase agreement with G2 Energy Hidden Hollow LLC to buy the energy output from the Hidden Hollow Landfill on Seaman’s Gulch road north of Boise.

The electricity is produced as a byproduct of the landfill’s operations. The plant would be able to produce, at full capacity, 3.2 megawatts. The plant is scheduled to be in operation by March 1.

The 20-year agreement includes a special electric rate determined by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission under federal PURPA provisions. Congress passed PURPA, the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act, during the energy crisis of the late 1970s. Its purpose is to encourage 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 co-generators who obtain Qualifying Facility (QF) status. The published rate to be paid project developers is set by state commissions and is to be equal to the cost the electric utility avoids if it would have had to generate the power itself or purchase it from another source.

The commission is taking comments on Idaho Power’s proposal through Nov. 29. Comments are accepted via e-mail by accessing the commission’s homepage at
http://www.puc.idaho.gov/www.puc.idaho.gov and clicking on "Comments & Questions." Fill in the case number (IPC-E-05-29) and enter your comments. Comments can also be mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 or faxed to [phone].

A full text of the commission’s order, along with other documents related to this case, are available on the commission’s Web site. Click on “File Room” and then on “Electric Cases” and scroll down to the above case number.