20090813Dept of Commerce Comment.pdf

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
c.L. "BUTCH" OTTER, GOVERNOR
DONALD A. DIETRICH, DIRECTOR
Honorable Jim Kempton
i-Honorable Marsha Smith
Honorable Mack Redford
Idaho Public Utilty Commission
POBox 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
Dear Commissioners:
The mission of the Idaho Department of Commerce is to create jobs, strengthen communities
and market the state. In furtherance of that mission, the Governor recently helped us launch
Project 60, a comprehensive initiative to grow Idaho's gross domestic product from $51 bilion
to $60 bilion. Designed in three tiers to strengthen both rural and urban communities, the
plan wil help create quality jobs for all Idahoans by fostering systemic growth, recruiting new
companies to Idaho and selling Idaho's trade and investment opportunities to the world.
As a result, the Department of Commerce is keenly interested in the development of
additional energy infrastructure in Idaho, not only for the direct jobs associated with such
development, but also because of the need for new energy resources to attract and retain
business and industry. Reliable and affordable energy is a critical element inour economic
development efforts.
Our department believes that Idaho Power's Langley Gulch Project makes sense for the
company, for consumers and for us as we pursue our job creation mission for the state. It will
support ana complement the development of additional renewable resources, provide a
stable base-load resource and is environmentally responsible.
I know you must carefully evaluate utilty projects and operations, and understand that these
cases often are complex. However, I wanted to share with you the Department of Commerce's
support for this project. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
.1#Al~
Donald A. Dietrich
Director
700 West State Street. P.D Box 83720. Boise, Idaho 83720. Tel: [phone] . Fax: [phone] . Web: commerce.idaho.gov
Equal Opportunity Employer