By JOHN MILLER , 05.25.09
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/05/25/ap6462221.html
AP - After complaints by Idaho Power Co.'s largest customers, regulators have ordered the state's biggest utility to sell about $2 million worth of renewable energy credits and use the money to benefit ratepayers, instead of retiring or banking the credits in expectation of new federal laws requiring more renewable energy generation.
The recent decision by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission reverses its Jan. 28 ruling to allow Idaho Power to hold on to the credits.
Idaho Power wanted to take the credits, known as "Green Tags," off the market or bank them. That would have allowed the utility to publicly tout its commitment to renewable energy - or use the credits in the future to help meet new renewable energy standards. . .
The three-member commission found "no compelling evidence" that banking the tags would "lessen the company's burden in meeting a future federal standard," the panel wrote in its latest decision . . .
