How Should Idaho Address Large Electricity Users?

Whether it’s a data farm, major cryptocurrency mining operations or good old fashion industrial or manufacturing work, there are many companies and outlets looking to rural states and communities to meet their electrical needs.

The state of Idaho is trying to determine how best to address this demand and interest that will only grow into the future.  Lawmakers in Boise are considering two bills dealing with how very large electricity users connect to the grid.

“House Bill 756, introduced by Representative Stephanie Mickelson, would require the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to conduct a no-harm test before utilities can serve new electric loads of 20 megawatts or more," said Dexton Lake, with the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation.  "The goal is to ensure that existing customers do not see higher electricity rates as a result of serving large new users.”

Lake added HB 756, introduced in February also includes safeguards such as financial security requirements, potential exit fees if a large customer leaves the system, and periodic reviews to ensure the original analysis remains accurate.

He said the second proposal, Senate Bill 1368, sponsored by Senator Jim Guthrie, which was introduced earlier this month, takes a slightly different approach.

“Rather than creating a new framework, it codifies the regulatory process the Public Utilities Commission already uses when reviewing large load service agreements," Lake said.  "The bill applies to new electric loads of 30 megawatts or more and requires utilities to show that new customers are responsible for paying for the generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure needed to serve them."

Click the links to learn more about HB 756, and SB 1368.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com