Website: www.puc.idaho.gov
Commission OKs Idaho Power sales agreements with Burley
area wind projects
Boise – The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has approved two energy sales agreements between Idaho Power Company and two wind power projects in the Burley area.
Montana-based Exergy Development Group is the developer of both projects, Burley Butte Wind Park and Golden Valley Wind Park.
Both projects include seven, 1.5-megwatt wind turbines. Burley Butte is about six miles west and three miles south of Burley. Golden Valley is about 6.5 miles west and six miles south of Burley. Burley Butte is scheduled to begin operating by Dec. 1, 2005, and Golden Valley by June 1, 2006.
The
projects qualify as small power production facilities eligible for rates set by
the commission under the federal Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act.
Passed by Congress during the energy crisis of the late 1970s, PURPA encourages
development of renewable energy technologies as alternatives to burning fossil
fuels or constructing new power plants. The federal act requires that electric
utilities offer to buy power produced by small power producers or cogenerators
who obtain Qualifying Facility (QF) status. The rate to be paid to project
developers is to be equal to the cost the electric utility avoids if it would
have had to generate the power itself or buy it from another source.
Under
normal conditions, the projects will not generate more than 10 average
megawatts per month. If energy in excess of that amount is generated, Idaho
Power proposes to accept the energy, but will not pay for it.
A full text of the commission’s order, along with other documents related to this case, are available on the commission’s Web site at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on “File Room” and then on “Electric Cases” and scroll down to the case numbers at the top of this press release.
Interested parties may petition the commission for
reconsideration by no later than July 22. Petitions for reconsideration must
set forth specifically why the petitioner contends that the order is
unreasonable, unlawful or erroneous. Petitions should include a statement of
the nature and quantity of evidence the petitioner will offer if
reconsideration is granted.
Petitions can be delivered to the commission at 472 W. Washington St. in Boise, mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID, 83720-0074, or faxed to 208-334-3762.