Idaho Utilities Commission holding telephone hearing for Avista’s electric resource plan

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission will conduct a public hearing via telephone Wednesday evening to obtain input for Avista Utilities’ long-term electric resource plan.

In Avista’s 2020 electric resource plan, the utility said it’s making strides toward achieving Washington state clean-energy requirements by upgrading its hydroelectric and biomass facilities, and shifting toward wind and energy generation.

The integrated resource plan was filed in February with the Idaho Public Utility Commission. It outlines the company’s goal to serve customers with 100% clean electricity by 2045 and have a carbon-neutral supply of electricity by 2027.

The plan indicates Avista intends to add 500 megawatts of new wind generation within seven years and projects greenhouse gas emissions will be 80% below 2018 levels by 2030.

The plan also includes information about the utility’s 15% ownership of Units 3 and 4 of the coal-fired power plant in Colstrip, Montana. Avista is one of six owners of Units 3 and 4 at the plant, which produces 9% of the utility’s electricity output.

The Idaho Conservation League, city of Sandpoint, Idaho Forest Group and Avista customers have called for a public hearing on the plan before state regulators since March , according to an Idaho Conservation League statement.

Avista is required to update its electric resource plan every two years to indicate how it will meet future electric load growth. Customers, environmental organizations, business groups, elected officials and utility commission staff met several times to discuss the plan starting in mid-2018.

The Idaho PUC’s public hearing on Avista will be at 5 p.m. To participate, call (800) 920-7487 shortly before the designated time and when prompted, enter confirmation code 667 4832#.