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| Idaho Energy Update |
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A weekly summary of energy and climate issues. We feature updates from the Legislature and state agencies, Idaho's utilities and regulators, and topical clean energy developments in Idaho and the Northwest - all designed to help you follow and participate in Idaho energy issues.
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Do you want to live in a state powered by clean and renewable energy, and free from the threat of nuclear waste, weapons, and power? If the answer's yes, then you should join the Snake River Alliance. We have 30 years of experience watchdogging the Department of Energy and an active campaign to develop a sustainable energy future for Idaho. Every voice counts, so make a difference today and join us!
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Support the Alliance when you buy Patagonia!The Alliance is proud to receive foundation support from Patagonia, and now you can support the Alliance when you purchase Patagonia gear! Visit www.patagonia.com
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| Friday, March 25, 2011 |
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March 25 Idaho Energy Update: Latest Update on Legislature's Wind Wars
By lwoodruff @ 3:47 PM :: 479 Views ::
0 Comments ::  :: Clean and Renewable Energy, Idaho Energy Updates
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Idaho’s Wind Wars continued to rage this week, with a House committee killing a bill that would have slapped a two-year moratorium on new wind farms and another House panel struggling with whether to extend the state’s renewable energy development sales tax rebate, which expires this year. Meanwhile, Office of Energy Resources Administrator Paul Kjellander had his Senate confirmation hearing and is bound back for another stint at the Public Utilities Commission; and the PUC will hold oral arguments in a case that could change the way Idaho Power funds its energy conservation programs.
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| Friday, March 11, 2011 |
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March 11 ID Energy Update: Wind Wars, Kjellander Back to PUC & , AEHI
By lwoodruff @ 4:42 PM :: 675 Views ::
0 Comments :: :: Nuclear Power, Clean and Renewable Energy, Bruneau nuclear reactor, Idaho Energy Updates
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Idaho’s gathering storm over utility wind projects burst open this week as rival bills were introduced in the Legislature first to extend the lifeblood renewable energy sales tax rebates beyond their expiration this summer, and then to ban new wind farms altogether pending a legislative study of how wind power works in Idaho. And in something of a surprise, Gov Otter moved former Idaho PUC Commissioner Paul Kjellander back to the PUC from the Office of Energy Resources, which Kjellander led for the past two years. And the Payette County Commission rejected appeals of a P&Z green light of a property rezone for a nuclear reactor, meaning the County Commission is now free to hold hearings of its own on the proposal that remains mired in a federal securities fraud suit.
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| Monday, February 21, 2011 |
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Feb 21 ID Energy Update: Good-News Wind Study, AEHI Hearing Tuesday, & Appliance Rebates
By lwoodruff @ 5:00 PM :: 801 Views ::
1 Comments :: :: Clean and Renewable Energy, Bruneau nuclear reactor, Idaho Energy Updates
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Idaho wind developers received a boost last week in the form of a new study by consulting firm Idaho Economics that reports far greater than projected economic benefits from wind development in the state. The report comes at a critical time as Idaho lawmakers seemed poised to let a critical sales tax rebate for renewable energy developments lapse when it’s due to expire this July. On the efficiency front, the Idaho Office of Energy Resources reports it’s not too late to tap into the rebate program for new energy efficient appliance purchases. And the Payette County Commission is scheduled to hold hearings Tuesday on appeals of the county’s favorable review of a rezoning request by a would-be nuclear reactor developer who’s also in hot water with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Finally, the Idaho PUC has approved contracts between Idaho Power and four new wind farms, as well as a renewed agreement with a small hydropower developer near Jerome; and a bill has been introduced in the Senate to allow school districts to receive on-bill credit for excess energy they produce on their own. It’ll get a hearing on Wednesday.
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| Friday, February 11, 2011 |
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Idaho Energy Update: Big Day for Efficiency in House Committee & Geothermal Updates
By lwoodruff @ 4:27 PM :: 558 Views ::
0 Comments :: :: Clean and Renewable Energy, Idaho Energy Updates
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Energy Efficiency advocates wowed a House energy committee this week with presentations on how utilities, businesses, and the government can save energy in homes, business, and government buildings across Idaho. On the geothermal front, a package of four bills that would remove some hurdles to processing and issuing geothermal development leases on state lands is moving quickly through the Legislature. Meanwhile, the Idaho PUC sided with utilities seeking temporary shelter from an increasing number of wind energy projects seeking contracts, and Blaine County continues efforts to settle on a new energy efficiency code for new residential construction.
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| Friday, February 04, 2011 |
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Feb 4 Idaho Energy Update: AEHI, new wind & state energy primer
By lwoodruff @ 4:57 PM :: 834 Views ::
0 Comments ::  :: Nuclear Power, Clean and Renewable Energy, Bruneau nuclear reactor, Idaho Energy Updates
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A federal judge on Thursday lifted a freeze on the assets of troubled would-be nuclear reactor developer AEHI, but the decision does little to ease the massive legal problems facing the company in the wake of securities fraud charges filed in December. Meanwhile, a network of 11 wind farms from Hagerman to Cassia County has been fired up and the 122 turbines are sending enough electricity to Idaho Power to power about 40,000 homes. And the Office of Energy Resources has just issued its “Idaho Energy Primer,” a look at assorted energy issues in the state. In the Idaho Legislature, the House is expected to approve a resolution re-authorizing the interim joint Energy, Environment and Technology Committee to study energy issues after this year’s session. The top priority will be a review of Idaho’s 2007 Energy Plan, which after five years is up for a “complete study” to see which portions should be revised and what should be added or deleted from the plan.
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| Tuesday, January 25, 2011 |
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Jan 24 ID Energy Update: PUC Rules on Idaho Power Pollution Credit Sales
By lwoodruff @ 11:35 AM :: 498 Views ::
0 Comments :: :: Idaho Energy Updates
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Idaho Power sold $540,000 worth of surplus pollution credits last year, and last week the PUC ordered most of the money should be returned to utility customers rather than spending some of it on energy efficiency programs as proposed by some who commented on the case. Idaho Power also updated its projected cost for one of its major planned transmission lines, and the increase is considerable. Meanwhile, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has released a report on how to encourage more utilities to ramp up their efficiency efforts, and Idaho is included in the study. And Bonneville Power Administration will hit Idaho Falls on Friday to solicit comments on its plans for energy efficiency programs after this year.
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| Tuesday, January 18, 2011 |
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Idaho Energy Update: Utilities Complain About New Wind Contracts
By lwoodruff @ 4:13 PM :: 619 Views ::
0 Comments :: :: Idaho Energy Updates
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Idaho’s electric utilities are turning up the pressure in their attempts to beat back a growing number of proposals for small wind projects seeking to tie into their systems. On the solar side, Idaho has just awarded grants to nine schools seeking to install small solar installations as part of a project to reduce power costs and boost the state’s solar industry. Meanwhile, the Snake River Alliance announced the appointment of Liz Woodruff as its new executive director. And the Idaho Legislature kicked off its 2011 session on Monday.
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| Friday, December 17, 2010 |
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| Tuesday, December 07, 2010 |
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Some Idaho Wind Projects Moving Forward
By lwoodruff @ 10:30 AM :: 699 Views ::
0 Comments :: :: Idaho Energy Updates
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Idaho Power wants the Public Utilities Commission to sign off on contracts with six more wind farms in the Mountain Home area, while the PUC also recently approved another 80MW wind contract for a wind farm in eastern Idaho. Meanwhile, the PUC is taking public comments on a request by Idaho Power to return proceeds from the sale of surplus pollution allowances mostly to customers, with a small amount going to shareholders. And the PUC is also holding public meetings this month on a requested rate hike by PacifiCorp, best known in Idaho as Rocky Mountain Power.
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The Alliance receives 60% of its funding from foundations and 40% from people like you! Thanks to our members, major donors, and these foundations for making our work possible: Edwards Mother Earth, Bullitt, Lightfoot, Tides, Engelhard, Community Involvement Fund, and Patagonia.
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