HomeMy WebLinkAbout150608_IPCIDWR.pdf
Case No. IPC-E-15-07, Order No. 33309; IPC-E-15-08, Order No 33310
Contact: Gene Fadness (208) 334-0339, 890-2712
www.puc.idaho.gov
Commission approves two energy sales agreements
between Idaho Power and hydro projects in Jerome area
BOISE (June 8, 2015) – The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has approved an Idaho Power
Company request for a five-year extension of energy sales agreements with two hydroelectric
projects owned by the Idaho Department of Water Resources.
Under the agreement, IDWR will sell to Idaho Power electric power generated by the Pristine
Springs 1 and Pristine Springs 3 hydro projects near Jerome.
The Pristine 1 project has a nameplate capacity of 125 kilowatts and Pristine 3 can generate up
to 200 kW. Both projects sold energy to Idaho Power under a 10-year agreement the
commission approved in 2005, which expired April 30, 2015. IDWR chose to renew for a five-
year term.
The projects are qualifying facilities under the provisions of the federal 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
facilities 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 for utility customers because the price utilities pay
to qualifying small-power producers is included in customer rates.
The commission approved Idaho Power’s proposed rates for each project of $59.78 per
megawatt-hour in 2015, gradually increasing to $70.28 per MWh in 2020. The rate varies
according to heavier and lighter load hours of the day and seasons of the year.
The commission’s final order, along with the company’s application and other documents, are
available on the commission’s Website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on “Open Cases” under the
“Electric” heading and scroll down to Case No. IPC-E-15-07 and Case No. IPC-E-15-08.
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