20060530press release.htm

./053006_IPCoanrbicdigest_files/filelist.xml IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
9.35 pt 2 IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Case No. IPC-E-06-15, Order No. 30054 May 30, 2006 Contact: Gene Fadness (208) 334-0339

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

Idaho Power seeks approval for first dairy anaerobic digester project

Idaho Power Co. is asking state regulators to approve a sales agreement with the producer of what would be the company’s first-ever electricity generated from an anaerobic digester at a dairy. Under the agreement, CKTV1 Energy, L.L.C., would sell the output from a facility in Canyon County that would convert animal manure into electrical energy.

If approved by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, Idaho Power would accept up to 3.2 megawatts from a single or multiple-generation sets at the facility south of Lake Lowell. One megawatt is enough energy to power about 750 homes. CKTV1, whose president is Sot Chimanos of Eagle, anticipates an operation date of March 31, 2007.

The project would qualify as a small-power production facility under provisions of the federal Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act. PURPA, passed by Congress during the energy crisis of the late 1970s, requires electric utilities offer to buy power produced by small power producers, or cogenerators, who obtain Qualifying Facility (QF) status. The rate to be paid project developers is determined and then published 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.

Idaho Power’s agreement with CKTV1 does not become effective until the commission approves the agreement and declares that all payments Idaho Power makes to CKTV1 for energy can be allowed as prudently incurred expenses that are recovered from customers in rates.

The commission is taking comments through June 16. 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-06-15) 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.