Spokane, Wash.-based Avista has decided to postpone acquisition of additional renewable resources that were sought in a recent request for proposals (RFP), including development of the Reardan Wind Project, until the 2014-2015 time frame.
The RFP process investigated the potential to acquire renewable energy resources identified in the 2009 integrated resource plan (IRP) a few years early in order to take advantage of certain temporary tax credits through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and through a temporary Washington state sales tax offset program.
However, after detailed analysis, the company has decided to delay such renewable resource acquisitions, including construction of its Reardan wind project, at this time.
Avista is subject to Washington state renewable energy portfolio standards (RPS) and must obtain a portion of its electricity from qualifying renewable resources or through the purchase of renewable energy certificates.
Avista's recently completed 2009 IRP identified that additional qualifying renewable energy is needed by 2016 and that new capacity and energy resources are needed by 2018. According to the company, it will be able to meet the 2016 RPS requirement.
SOURCE: Avista Corp.
