August 17, 2006
Idaho
Idaho
By Times-News
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BOISE – State utility regulators denied a local wind developer’s request to amend a sales agreement with Idaho Power Co.
Magic Wind LLC, whose primary developer is Armand Eckert of Buhl, wanted to be paid for surplus energy based on an alternative pricing method used in other Idaho Power wind contracts. The Idaho Public Utilities Commission ruled that because Idaho Power didn’t agree to that pricing method, the utility could not be forced to alter the deal.
The commission did grant Magic Wind’s request to be exempted from a cap on the size of wind projects that can qualify for a rate published by the commission. Magic Wind plans to put up eight 2.5-megawatt wind turbines eight miles northwest of Buhl.
Developers of renewable, small-power projects are entitled to a rate now about $61 per megawatt-hour published by the commission under the requirements of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978.
The federal act requires electric utilities to offer to buy power from qualifying small producers of renewable energy.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/08/17/commission-denies-magic-winds-request-for-change-in-sales-agreement/