Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Comments sought on wind projects

Idaho Power seeking PUC approval for wind energy contracts

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By EXPRESS STAFF
Express Staff Writer

Idaho Power is seeking approval from the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to buy power from wind-power producers.

The company is hoping for 100 megawatts of wind energy from the Elkhorn Wind Power Project, to be located in eastern Oregon. Idaho Power hopes the project will deliver power during critical summer months when irrigation and other uses are high, and prices from the wholesale market are also high.

The other projects are the 19.8-megawatt Bennett Creek Windfarm to be built near Mountain Home, the 19.8-megawatt Hot Springs Windfarm, also scheduled for construction near Mountain Home, and the 18-megawatt Alkali Wind Generation Facility that will be built near Glenns Ferry, 28 miles east of Mountain Home.

The Mountain Home projects include 12 wind turbines that will deliver an average 10 megawatts per month.

Both projects, if approved, are scheduled to be operating by Dec. 31.

Comments are being taken though Jan. 26 on the Hot Springs and Bennett Creek projects. Comments are accepted via e-mail by accessing the commission's Web site at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on "Comments & Questions." Fill in the case number (IPC-E-06-34 for Hot Springs and IPC-E-06-35 for Bennett Creek) and enter your comments. Comments can also be mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 or faxed to (208) 334-3762.