3-4 FB Utilities Go Green

 Idaho’s three major investor-owned utilities are petitioning the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to investigate a number of issues related to small-power projects that qualify for a rate published by the commission. The three utilities – Idaho Power Company, Avista Utilities and PacifiCorp – all contend that a rapidly expanding number of wind projects is having a profound impact on customers and on utility transmission systems. I asked Idaho Public Utilities Commission spokesman Gene Fadness if alternative energy was starting to be taken more seriously these days: “Well I think conditions are forcing the utilities to take a look at diversifying their energy portfolios because of the future threat of constraints on carbon emissions, perhaps a carbon tax, or some sort of federal cap and trade. We may be limited with coal and natural gas.”