Northwest power surplus may halt wind energy | Environment | Idaho Statesman
In years when a healthy spring runoff powers hydroelectric turbines around the Northwest, the region’s federal power authority often has more electricity than it can sell.
Add the boom of wind-generation plants that have come on line in the past four years, and the Bonneville Power Administration says it will be overwhelmed as flows on the Columbia River crest in the next few weeks.
In response, BPA issued a policy Friday saying it will order wind power producers to shut down generation — in exchange for free hydroelectric power — to meet state laws aimed at protecting migrating salmon.
But the policy won’t cover all the costs wind developers face, and some are expected to challenge it in court.
BPA Administrator Steve Wright said the decision was extremely difficult with no good choices.
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Rocky Barker: 377-6484
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