Website: www.puc.idaho.gov
Avista plans future generation from natural gas, wind
sources
Avista Utilities, which serves about 115,000 customers in
north Idaho, will be looking to natural gas and renewable sources of energy for
added generation over the next decade.
Avista recently filed its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP)
with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. The plan, required every two years
by the commission, details how Avista plans to meet the demands of its growing
customer base. Avista plans on contracting with a natural gas plant near
Rathdrum for 350 megawatts. It also plans on adding 300 megawatts from wind
sources, 35 MW from other renewable resources and 87 MW from energy savings due
to conservation measures.
Without the additional generation, the company would face
generation shortfalls of about 83 average-megawatts in 2011 and 272 aMW by
2017.
Avista decided to drop plans for future coal-fired
generation for several reasons including legislation barring its use in the
state of Washington where the utility has most of its customers. The company
also anticipates federal legislation in the near future that will place further
limits on carbon emissions. In response to the anticipated problems with
coal-fired generation, the company substituted fixed-price natural gas
resources for coal-based resources. According to Avista, it has the
eighth-smallest carbon footprint among major U.S. utilities.
The company had hoped for additional wind and other
renewable sources beyond the 335 MW already planned. But wind development, the
company said, has been hampered by a dramatic increase in the cost of wind
resources since 2005. Recent legislation in Oregon, Washington and other states
that mandates a certain percentage of generation from renewable sources has
increased the demand for wind turbines, reducing their availability and
increasing their price.
The additional 87 MW from conservation measures represents
an 85 percent increase in conservation since Avista’s 2003 IRP and a 25 percent
increase over the 2005 IRP.
The commission is inviting comment
from Avista customers and other interested parties on the company’s Integrated
Resource Plan. Those wishing to submit comments must do so by no later than
Jan. 17, 2008. Comments are accepted via e-mail by accessing the commission’s
homepage at www.puc.idaho.gov and
clicking on "Comments & Questions." Fill in the case number
(AVU-E-07-08) and enter your comments. Comments can also be mailed to P.O. Box
83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 or faxed to (208) 334-3762.
A copy
of the company’s plan, along with other documents related to this case, is
available on the commission’s Web site. Click on “File Room” and then on
“Electric Cases” and scroll down to the above case number.