FERC: Idaho can't curtail wind purchases

Utilities in Idaho must contiue to buy power from contracted wind power sources even in times of low load, according to yesterday's ruling by federal regulators.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, rejected the plea of Idaho utilities that the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act allows them to reduce energy purchases in a time of lower load.

The ruling is a boon for the state's robust wind industry, and comes after state wind producers preemptively made a federal appeal of the issue, fearing a negative ruling by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, where commissioners have previously testified that wind purchase curtailment would be permissible (although no formal ruling was made).

FERC ruled that since wind power purchases are part of long-term power purchase agreements, utilities should be prepared to buy power no matter what the load, and should have factored these costs in to any initial agreement, reports the Associated Press.

See another article:  http://stateimpact.npr.org/idaho/2012/09/21/after-the-wind-boom-a-fight-over-idahos-energy-future/