Implementing PURPA : Renewable Resource Development in the Pacific Northwest : Executive Summary.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) of 1979 requires that electrical utilities interconnect with qualifying facilities (QFs) and purchase electricity at a rate based upon their full avoided cost of providing both capacity and energy. Facilities that qualify for PURPA benefits include solar or geothermal electric units, hydropower, municipal solid waste or biomass-fired power plants, and cogeneration projects that satisfy maximum size, fuel use, ownership, location, and/or efficiency criteria. The mandate of PURPA, coupled with the electrical energy deficits projected to occur in the Pacific Northwest by the mid 1980s, led to resurgence of interest in the development of small, decentralized, non-utility owned and operated generating stations. A variety of would-be developers conducted feasibility studies and initiated environmental permitting and power marketing discussions with appropriate authorities. While many proposed PURPA projects fill by the wayside, others were successfully brought on-line. A variety of public and private sector developers, including cities, counties, irrigation districts, utilities, ranchers, timber companies, and food processing plants, successfully negotiated PURPA-based, or share-the-savings'' power purchase contracts. Other developers run their meter backwards'' or provide energy to their local utilities at the same rate that would otherwise be paid to Bonneville. This document provides a summary resource development of these renewable projects in the Pacific Northwest.
- Research Organization:
- United States. Bonneville Power Administration.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/CE
- OSTI ID:
- 6433482
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/BP-66141-1; ON: DE91000799
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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COGENERATION
DEUS
ELECTRIC POWER
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FEDERAL REGION VIII
FEDERAL REGION X
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
IDAHO
INTERCONNECTED POWER SYSTEMS
LEGISLATION
MONTANA
MUNICIPAL WASTES
NORTH AMERICA
OREGON
POWER
POWER GENERATION
POWER PLANTS
POWER SYSTEMS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RENEWABLE RESOURCES
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
RESOURCES
Renewable energy sources - Northwest
Pacific
SOLAR ENERGY
STEAM GENERATION
USA
WASHINGTON
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
WASTES
WIND POWER PLANTS