The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) determined that each state should decide how much to pay qualifying energy projects.

Idaho's Public Utilities Commission (IPUC) sets the amount that is paid to what are called qualifying facilities under PURPA. IPUC regulators are now working to find the most equitable means of distributing the costs associated with integrating wind resources into the generation mix and for impacts to the company’s transmission grid.

Idaho and Oregon regulators review and acknowledge Idaho Power’s plans for meeting future needs for energy—including those that involve alternative energy—through the company's Integrated Resource Plan. Updated every two years, this plan—we refer to it as the Energy Plan for the Future—looks ahead 20 years at growth, and identifies the means for meeting that growth.