20150518press release.pdf

Case No. PAC-E-15-06, Order No. 33301
Contact: Gene Fadness [phone], 890-2712
www.puc.idaho.gov

PacifiCorp seeks state approval of contract
to buy power from BYU-Idaho power plant

BOISE (May 18, 2015) – PacifiCorp, which does business as Rocky Mountain Power in eastern
Idaho, is asking the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to approve a power purchase agreement
with Brigham Young University-Idaho.

Under the proposed agreement, BYU-I would sell the output of its gas and oil-fueled generating
facility on its Rexburg campus. The plant provides space and water heating to the campus, but
the plant also has a companion heat-recovery generating system that can generate up to 5.6
megawatts of electricity.

The school seeks to sell that electrical output to Rocky Mountain Power customers under the
provisions of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978. PURPA requires regulated
utilities to buy energy from qualifying renewable generation projects at rates established by
state commissions. The rate to be paid qualifying projects is called an “avoided-cost rate,”
because it is based on the cost the utility avoids by not having to generate the energy itself or
buy it from another source. The commission must ensure the avoided-cost rate is reasonable
because the price utilities pay to independent electric generators is passed on to customers.
While PURPA requires utilities to buy from independent projects, the law leaves it up to states
to determine avoided-cost rates and other contract terms and conditions.

The proposed contract is for two years to become effective when and if it is approved by the
commission. The proposed average annual rate PacifiCorp would pay BYU-I is $52.28 per
megawatt-hour for sales during 2015, $51.84 per MWh in 2016 and $55.01 per MWh in 2017.
The rate can be adjusted slightly for electricity delivery during on-peak and off-peak hours.

The commission is taking written comment on PacifiCorp’s application through June 2.
PacifiCorp may file reply comments by no later than June 11.

Written comments are accepted via e-mail by accessing the commission’s homepage at
www.puc.idaho.gov and clicking on "Case Comment or Question Form,” under the
“Consumers” heading. Fill in the case number, PAC-E-15-06, and enter your comments.
Comments can also be mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 or faxed to (208) 334-
3762.
The company’s application and other documents related to this case are found on the
commission Web site. Click on “Open Cases” under the “Electric” heading and scroll down to
case number above.
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