Idaho Power application to expand optional clean energy offerings approved
BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has approved an application from Idaho Power that will allow the utility to expand optional clean energy offerings to customers.
The approval will allow Idaho Power to rename the existing Schedule 62 – Green Power Purchase Program Rider to Clean Energy Your Way. In addition, Idaho Power will be allowed to maintain and expand procurement options for the renewable energy certificate offering under the name Clean Energy Your Way – Flexible, establish a regulatory framework for a future voluntary subscription green power service offering named Clean Energy Your Way – Subscription and offer a tailored renewables option to the utility’s largest customers called Clean Energy Your Way – Construction.
Idaho Power said the Clean Energy Your Way – Flexible option would operate similarly to its existing Green Power Program. The utility asked for approval to expand renewable energy certificate purchase options to keep up with demand and satisfy customers with near-term clean energy goals that can be met with renewable energy certificates. Idaho Power proposed two options for customers regarding renewable energy certificates, the limited bulk purchase option and the renewable energy certificate “sleeve” option.
Under the limited bulk purchase option, the utility would buy a limited number of renewable energy certificates (not to exceed $5,000 at any time), and sell them to interested customers later under customer-specific sale agreements. The “sleeve” option will allow Idaho Power to connect customers to non-company renewable energy certificate purchases. Idaho Power said this option would work similarly to the limited bulk purchase option, where the utility would sell procured renewable energy certificates to interested customers at cost. This option would not create proceeds that would pass through the utility’s power cost adjustment.
The Clean Energy Your Way – Subscription option will allow customers to subscribe to a portion of the output from a new renewable resource on the utility’s system. This option would be open to any customer. However, Idaho Power proposed an individual customer cap of 15 percent of program activity. The proposed individual subscription size would be based on a customer’s average prior year energy usage.
The Clean Energy Your Way – Construction option offers large customers a tailored approach to cover 100 percent of their energy use with a new renewable resource. A customer’s energy usage is reconciled against the generation of a renewable resource, or resources, on an hourly basis.
Additional information on Idaho Power’s application and this case is available HERE.
