Customer may pick up tab yo close coal plant

BOISE (AP) — Idaho Power Co. wants state regulators to sign off on a plan for the utility’s customers to pick up the tab for its share of a coal-fired power plant in Oregon that’s due to be shut down in 2020.

The plant in Boardman, Ore., is 10 percent owned by Idaho Power.

Its majority owner, Portland General Electric, has decided decommissioning it will be cheaper than installing pollution control equipment.

Idaho Power estimates a resulting revenue deficiency of $1.4 million for customers in its Idaho jurisdiction.

The utility plans to recover the cost from customers starting next June 1, when its rates are adjusted to reflect annual changes in the cost of power.

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission announced Thursday it is taking comments through Jan. 13 on Idaho Power’s plan.