Idaho Solar Power Plant Hopes to Sell Power Mid-2014

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The developer of a proposed $180 million southern Idaho solar energy project hopes to deliver electricity by mid-2014, despite past rejections by regulators.

Peter Richardson, a Boise energy lawyer, is anticipating a key decision from the Idaho Public Utilities Commission in mid-January to resolve a years-long legal fight with utility Idaho Power Co. Renewable energy development has all but stalled in Idaho, so this project in the desert 40 miles south of Boise — Idaho's first utility-scale solar development, if it's built — would represent a bright spot for the industry.

Idaho Power has been fighting it, however, in part because the utility wants a share of lucrative renewable energy credits that would accompany Richardson's facility. Meanwhile, Richardson says the utility aims to take private property without paying for it.