Idaho Power proposes means for customers to purchase additional renewable energy

Going beyond its current clean energy offers, Idaho Power last week proposed allowing its customers to purchase any of three different program options to purchase additional renewable energy and get themselves to fully green households.

The Clean Energy Your Way proposal, filed with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC), followed nearly two years of discussions with customers and stakeholders and is meant to complement Idaho power’s goal of achieving 100 percent clean energy by 2045. Many customers, the company noted, have sought expanded options to meet individual clean energy goals — particularly among businesses.

“We are proud to propose this new menu of clean energy offerings that will appeal to customers of all sizes,” Lisa Grow, Idaho Power president and CEO, said. “This program is a natural next step as we work toward our own clean energy goal and help customers do the same.”

The core of the program will feature three offerings: flexible, subscription, and construction. Customers would be able to choose from any of the three.

The flexible option is a rebranding of Idaho Power’s existing Green Power program, which allows business and residential customers to purchase renewable energy in blocks of 100 kW hours.

The subscription model would offer business and residential customers the chance to receive either 50 percent or 100 percent of their historical annual energy use through subscription to a particular renewable resource. Sizing of that resource would be based on customer interest and would require IPUC approval before construction.

The construction option would allow industrial customers to work with Idaho Power to create new renewable sources, jointly establishing their type, size, and location. The only stipulation would be that the new resources must connect to Idaho Power’s system.