20050321Press Release.pdf

IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Case No. PAC-05-3, Order No. 29731
March 21, 2005
Contact: Gene Fadness [phone]
Website: www.puc.idaho.2ov
PacifiCorp wants to offer renewable power purchases in bulk
Boise - PacifiCorp, which does business in southeastern Idaho as Utah Power, is seeking
commission approval of a program that allows the company s customers to buy renewable
energy in bulk at a reduced rate.
PacifiCorp already has a renewable purchase option called "Blue Sky" for primarily residential
customers. However, the purchase price for energy derived from wind, geothermal or solar
sources is too expensive for commercial and industrial customers who want to buy renewable
energy in much larger quantities. While about 700 residential customers participate in
PacifiCorp s Blue Sky program, only 10 non-residential customers do so.
Under the Blue Sky program, PacifiCorp currently allows customers to buy renewable energy,
such as wind, geothermal or solar, for an additional $1.95 per month for every 100 kilowatt-
hours purchased.
Under the proposed bulk-purchase option, customers who agree to enroll for a minimum of one
year and agree to purchase at least 101 blocks of 100-kWh of renewable energy would pay 70
cents for every block. That's down from the $1.95 per 1 OO-kWh block customers who buy in
smaller amounts would pay.
PacifiCorp uses two methods to secure the renewable energy. One is to buy green energy directly
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 tradable renewable 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 ofPacifiCorp 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.
PacifiCorp offers this bulk-purchase option to its customers in Oregon and Utah and recently
received approval to offer it in Wyoming and Washington.
The commission will proceed under a modified procedure that allows the case to be handled
through written public comments rather than by public hearing. Those wishing to submit
comments must do so by no later than April 13. Comments are accepted via e-mail by accessing
the commission s homepage at www.puc.idaho.gov and clicking on "Comments & Questions." Fill
in the case number (PAC-05-3) and enter your comments. Comments can also be mailyd to
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 case number.