Energy forum focuses on power supply, demand

TWIN FALLS, IDAHO - The plan for a coal-fired power plant near Jerome may be on hold, but the plan for meeting Idaho's energy needs is anything but.

"That whole debate on the coal-fired plant really elevated the discussion on energy supply and demand," said Dan Olmstead, a spokesman for Idaho Power Co.

Idaho Power along with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission had representatives on hand recently at a public energy forum sponsored by the Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. Presenters will take a look at the power company's plan for keeping up with the increasing energy needs of its customers.

The Idaho Power official will outline the company's existing integrated resource plan, Olmstead said.

"That plan basically outlines the demand and sources we see for the next 10 years," he said.

Every two years, Idaho Power submits an updated plan to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. The 2006 Integrated Resource Plan will be available sometime this summer, Olmstead said.

In March, representatives of Sempra Generation announced that the company no longer intended to build a 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant northeast of Jerome just as state legislators voted in favor of putting a two-year moratorium on building such facilities in Idaho. However, at the peak of the debate over Sempra's plant, chamber members decided to form a task force to take a look at the broad energy picture, said Shawn Barigar, chamber president.

"The goal is to present several forums to give the public and our members a chance to inform themselves," Barigar said.