20030729Press Release.pdf

IDAHO PUBLIC UTll..ITIES COMMISSION
Case No. PAC-03-
For Immediate Release / July 25, 2003
Contact: Gene Fadness [phone]
PacifiCorp proposes "Blue Sky" program
BOISE - Eastern Idaho customers of PacifiCorp would have a choice in how their energy is produced under the utility'
proposed "Blue Sky" program. If the program is approved by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, customers would choose
to participate in the voluntary program.
The utility, which does business as Utah Power in eastern Idaho, wants to give customers the option to pay $1.95 per
month to enable the purchase of renewable energy from wind, geothermal and solar power sources. The $1.95 would be in
addition to customers' normal billed rate.
Customers who pay $1.95 would buy a single 100-kWh block of renewable energy and can choose to pay an additional
$1.95 for each lOO-kWh block. The $1.95 premium for every lOO-kWh block covers the cost of purchasing the renewable
energy, which is more expensive than energy from more traditional thermal and hydroelectric sources. The tariff also covers the
program s marketing and administration costs.
Blue Sky is already offered to PacifiCorp customers in Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. In those states, about
11,500 customers are enrolled.
PacifiCorp proposes to use two methods to secure the renewable energy purchased by customers.
One is buy green energy, such as from a wind farm, and to make arrangements for transmission of that energy to its
eastern Idaho territory within two years of when the energy is purchased by the customer.
The other method is to purchase "green tags " or credits that allow the company to buy green energy for its use,
although the actual kilowatts purchased may not directly go to the customer. However, the energy purchased becomes part of
PacifiCorp s portfolio and eliminates the need for PacifiCorp to acquire that energy from non-renewable sources. The energy
from the credit must be delivered within 18 months.
The wind energy purchased on behalf of Blue Sky customers is in addition to the renewable energy investments
PacifiCorp has already made, including from wind farms in Wyoming, Oregon and on the Oregon-Washington border.
PacifiCorp is requesting an implementation date of Sept. 1. The commission is accepting written comments on the
company s proposal through Aug. 14.
Persons wishing to submit comments can do so via e-mail by accessing the commission s homepage at
www.puc.state.id.and clicking on "Comments & Questions." Fill in the case number (PAC-03-9) 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 company s application is also available on the commission s Web site. Click on "File Room" and then
on "Electric Cases," and scroll down to the appropriate case number.