20070126press release.htm

./012607_IPCoTelocaset_files/filelist.xml IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
9.35 pt 2 IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Case No. IPC-E-06-31, Order No. 30230 January 26, 2007 Contact: Gene Fadness [phone]

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

Idaho Power seeks to buy wind from eastern Oregon wind farm

State regulators will take comment through Feb. 22 on Idaho Power Company’s application to enter into a sales agreement to purchase 100 megawatts of wind from an eastern Oregon wind farm owned by Houston-based Telocaset Wind Power Producers LLC.

The 20-year sales agreement, including an option for Idaho Power to extend another 10 years, starts at a base rate of $48 per MWh with an annual escalation rate of 3 percent. The Idaho Public Utilities Commission must approve the agreement.

The agreement has provisions similar to those included in the company’s agreements with small wind projects that penalize Telocaset if output does not meet projections. The agreement provides that Telocaset will deliver detailed forecasting data, including forecasts of energy to be delivered during the next hour, day and week. The data will assist Idaho Power to integrate the wind power into the utility’s resource supply mix. The project, expected to be operating by no later than the end of this year, is expected to generate its most output during those times of winter and summer when there is peak demand on Idaho Power’s overall generating system.

Idaho Power proposes to pass on its costs for the project to customers through the annual Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) process each spring.

The company’s 2004 growth plan, called an Integrated Resource Plan, said the company would solicit bids for 200 MW of wind energy. In September 2005, the request-for-proposals was revised to ask for 100 MW because of the quantity of wind the company was getting from small-wind projects in the state. Telocaset was selected as the preferred bidder from among seven bids representing 19 projects between 45 MW and 200 MW.

Telocaset’s wind farm is in eastern Oregon’s Union County near North Powder. Energy will be delivered to a point on the La Grande-Brownlee 230 kV transmission line.

Those wishing to submit comments to the commission must do so by no later than Feb. 22. 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-06-31) 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.