Idaho Power Co. is seeking regulatory approval of a 20-year growth plan, which calls for more energy from coal-fired and nuclear sources, as well as an increase in conservation and renewable resources.
The Integrated Resource Plan, or IRP, seeks 1,300 megawatts of resource additions to meet growing demand.
Idaho Power anticipates its customer base will increase from about 455,000 customers today to about 680,000 by the end of 2025, an increase of 11,000 to 12,000 customers each year, according to a news release from the Idaho Public Utilities Commission.
The PUC is taking comment through Jan. 22, 2007, on the 160-page document.
The plan includes a 250-megawatt coal addition in 2013. Idaho Power said it doesn't know specifically where this addition will be, but one of its best near-term alternatives is at the Jim Bridger Plant, the news release says. Idaho Power owns a one-third share of the coal-fired Bridger plant near Rock Springs, Wyo.
In 2007, the company plans to bring 100 megawatts of wind on line. In 2008, the company plans to acquire another 170 megawatts by expanding the Danskin natural gas plant near Mountain Home. In about 2017, the company sees another 250 megawatts from coal gasification. Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle developers have expressed interest in Pocatello and Soda Springs as possible sites. In 2023, Idaho Power may be able to acquire 250 megawatts from an anticipated nuclear facility at the Idaho National Laboratory in eastern Idaho.
A copy of the IRP is available on the commission Web site at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on "Electric," then on "Open Electric Cases," then on case IPC-E-06-24.
To e-mail comments, go to the homepage, click on "Comments & Questions," and fill in the case number, IPC-E-06-24.
