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Idaho (US-ID)

Market Type: Deregulated (Retail Choice)
SSS Relevance: ⭐⭐⭐ High
Grid Carbon Intensity: ~288 gCO₂/kWh

SSS Factors: significant nuclear capacity, hydroelectric resources, no mandatory RPS, regulated market structure

1. Overview​

Idaho's electricity market is regulated and dominated by vertically integrated utilities, with approximately 86% of consumers served by three major investor-owned utilities (IOUs) and the remaining 14% served by consumer-owned utilities 1. The state benefits from some of the lowest utility rates in the U.S., with an average residential rate of approximately 11.52¢/kWh as of March 2026, compared to the national average of ~17.44¢/kWh 2.

The generation mix is heavily reliant on renewable resources, specifically hydroelectric power. In 2024, renewable sources accounted for approximately 69% of in-state generation 3, with hydropower (44%), wind (15%), and solar (7%) comprising the majority. Due to rising demand and resource constraints, Idaho imports roughly 30% to 40% of its electricity from neighboring states like Wyoming and Utah 4.

This high renewable penetration results in a low grid carbon intensity, estimated at 249 gCO2eq/kWh for 2024/2025, which is about 64% cleaner than the U.S. national average 5. While Idaho lacks a state-mandated Renewable Portfolio Standard, its largest utility, Idaho Power, has committed to a goal of providing 100% clean energy by 2045 3.

Key drivers for future energy consumption include data centers and population growth, with peak load forecast to grow by 45% (1,700 MW) by 2045 6. To support this, Idaho Power invested over $1.8 billion in grid modernization since 2018 and implemented a 7.48% rate increase in January 2026 to fund infrastructure and wildfire prevention 7.

⚠️ Data Discrepancy: There is a slight inconsistency in the reported share of hydropower generation. One source cites hydro at roughly 54% of in-state generation 8, while another lists it at 44% for 2024 3.

2. Market Structure​

Idaho operates under a fully regulated, vertically integrated electricity market structure. There is no retail choice for residential consumers, meaning residents cannot shop for alternative energy providers and must receive service from their assigned local utility 9. The Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC) oversees the sector and is responsible for reviewing and approving all rate changes to ensure they are "just and reasonable" 10.

Utility Ownership​

Electric utilities in Idaho fall into three primary categories:

  • Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs): These for-profit corporations are regulated by the IPUC. Major providers include Idaho Power (serving approximately 58% of the state's load), Avista Utilities, and Rocky Mountain Power (PacifiCorp) 11.
  • Municipal Utilities: These city-owned, not-for-profit entities (e.g., Idaho Falls Power) are governed by local city councils or elected commissions 12.
  • Cooperative Utilities (Co-ops): These private, not-for-profit organizations are owned by their members. Examples include Kootenai Electric Cooperative and United Electric Co-op. Many belong to the Idaho Consumer-Owned Utilities Association (ICUA), representing 22 rural electric cooperatives and municipalities 13.

System Operation and Regional Markets​

Idaho does not participate in a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) or Independent System Operator (ISO). Instead, the grid is operated by individual vertically integrated utilities 14. The IPUC has historically declined to join formal Western RTO efforts, citing concerns over net economic benefits and the loss of state control 15.

However, the state engages in regional coordination through specific market mechanisms:

  • Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM): Idaho Power participates in this voluntary real-time market operated by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) 14.
  • Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM): Idaho Power has signaled its intent to join this CAISO-managed market expansion, which is expected to begin in 2026 16.
  • Infrastructure Projects: Projects like the Southwest Intertie Project-North (SWIP-N) are underway to connect Idaho wind power to the California grid by 2027 15.

3. Clean Energy Policy​

Idaho does not have a state-level Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) or a legislated clean energy mandate, making it one of the few Western states without such requirements 17. Instead of mandates, the state relies on a mix of voluntary utility goals, financial incentives, and resource planning.

Voluntary Utility and Municipal Goals Despite the lack of a state mandate, major utilities have established independent clean energy targets:

  • Idaho Power: Aims to provide 100% clean energy by 2045 18.
  • Avista: Committed to 100% clean energy by 2045 19.
  • City of Boise: Achieved a goal of 100% clean electricity for city operations in 2023, originally targeting 2035 18.

State Legislation and Regulation Recent legislative actions have focused on both enabling specific energy projects and limiting local or environmental regulations:

  • HB 96 (2023): Amended existing law to promote clean energy resources (including biogas, solar, and nuclear) and authorized the Idaho Energy Resources Authority to finance these projects 1.
  • S 1303 (2026): Reclassified the "renewable energy resources fund" to the Energy Resources Fund to clarify the management of revenues from federal land energy sales 1.
  • Building Code Preemption: State law prohibits local governments (such as Boise) from enacting energy efficiency standards stricter than the state code or requiring EV charging infrastructure in new developments (HB 86, 2025) 1.
  • Solar Compensation: The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) allowed Idaho Power to reduce compensation rates for residential solar exports by approximately 30%, potentially impacting private solar adoption 1.

Financial Incentives The state encourages voluntary adoption through tax deductions and loans:

  • Residential Alternative Energy Tax Deduction: Homeowners can deduct 40% of the cost of solar, wind, or geothermal systems in the first year, capped at $5,000 annually 5.
  • Low-Interest Energy Loans: Available through the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources for energy efficiency upgrades 5.

Energy Mix and Federal Targets

  • Generation: Approximately 68% of Idaho's electricity generation comes from renewable sources, primarily hydropower, followed by wind and solar (2024 data) 18.
  • Federal Goals: The Idaho National Laboratory targets net-zero emissions by 2031 20.
  • Opposition: The Idaho Legislature passed resolutions (HJM 5 and HCR R8) in 2025 opposing the Lava Ridge Wind Project due to environmental and community concerns 1.

4. Utility Landscape​

Idaho's electric utility landscape is dominated by three major Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs), which collectively deliver approximately 86% of the state's electricity 1. These entities are privately owned, for-profit corporations regulated by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC) 5.

Major Investor-Owned Utilities

  • Idaho Power Company: Based in Boise, this is the state's largest utility, serving roughly 58% of Idaho's total power load and approximately 660,000 customers across southern Idaho and eastern Oregon 1.
  • PacifiCorp (Rocky Mountain Power): Operating as Rocky Mountain Power in Idaho, the company serves about 14% of the state's load, primarily in eastern Idaho 1.
  • Avista Utilities: Serving northern Idaho, Avista accounts for approximately 14% of the state's electricity load 1.

Consumer-Owned Utilities The remaining portion of the state's electricity is provided by consumer-owned utilities, which include electric cooperatives and municipal systems. These entities serve approximately 16% of the state's electric consumers and operate as non-profits 5. This sector comprises 17 electric cooperatives and 11 municipal utilities 1. Notable providers include:

  • Kootenai Electric Cooperative (KEC): One of the largest cooperatives by revenue and employee count 21.
  • Northern Lights Incorporated: A significant cooperative provider in the northern region 21.
  • Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative: A major rural cooperative serving eastern Idaho 21.
  • Clearwater Power Company: A key provider for rural communities in north-central Idaho 21.

Many of these consumer-owned utilities purchase power from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), a primary source of low-cost hydroelectric power 5. Unlike IOUs, these utilities are generally exempt from IPUC regulatory oversight, instead being governed by elected boards or city councils 5.

Electricity Generation Mix (2024) Idaho's power generation is heavily reliant on renewable sources, particularly hydroelectricity 22. The 2024 mix is distributed as follows:

  • Hydroelectric: 44.7%
  • Natural Gas: 31.5%
  • Wind: 15.4%
  • Solar: 5.5%
  • Biomass & Other: ~2.9%

5. SSS-Eligible Resources​

No specific SSS-eligible resources identified. See section notes.

6. EAC/REC Registry Infrastructure​

Idaho does not maintain a state-specific Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) registry due to the absence of a mandatory Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) 18. Instead, the state relies on regional systems to track Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) and prevent double counting.

Primary Registry The Western Renewable Energy Generation Information System (WREGIS) serves as the primary tracking infrastructure for Idaho and 13 other western states within the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) region 23. WREGIS issues unique serial numbers for every megawatt-hour (MWh) of renewable generation to verify compliance with voluntary and state requirements 24.

Other Registries While WREGIS is the default for the Western Interconnection, other systems may interact with Idaho-based RECs:

  • M-RETS: Originally focused on the Midwest, this system now functions as a continental registry accepting generators from across the U.S. and Canada 23.
  • PJM-GATS: Operated by PJM Environmental Information Services, this system primarily serves the PJM Interconnection region (e.g., PA, NJ, MD) rather than Idaho directly 25.

Oversight and Programs

  • Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC): Oversees utilities' handling of RECs, ensuring that proceeds from sales benefit ratepayers by keeping electricity prices low 18.
  • Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources (OEMR): Acts as the central clearinghouse for energy policy but does not directly manage a REC registry 18.
  • Utility Programs: Idaho Power, the state's largest utility, manages RECs for its own projects and offers voluntary REC products such as the "Clean Energy Your Way" program. Many of these products hold Green-e® Certification from the Center for Resource Solutions to ensure environmental integrity 24.

7. Grid Emissions​

Generation Mix​

Scope 2 Reporting​

  • SB 253 requires Scope 2 reporting for companies >$1B revenue

Source: EPA eGRID, EIA, state regulatory filings

References​

Sources & Last Updated​

Research Date: 2026-03-09
Data Sources: EIA, EPA eGRID, state regulatory filings, SerpAPI research aggregation

This page was generated using automated research and may contain inaccuracies. Verify critical data with primary sources.

Footnotes​

  1. Clean Energy Transition Institute ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11

  2. Electric Choice ↩

  3. U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  4. U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Idaho Energy Freedom ↩

  5. oemr.idaho.gov ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7

  6. NewsData, LLC ↩

  7. Electric Choice, NewsData, LLC ↩

  8. Idaho Energy Freedom ↩

  9. Quick Electricity ↩

  10. Quick Electricity +3, The Ohio State University ↩

  11. Idaho Capital Sun +2, Clean Energy Transition Institute ↩

  12. Idaho Capital Sun ↩

  13. Idaho Capital Sun +2, Idaho Capital Sun ↩

  14. Energy Star (.gov) ↩ ↩2

  15. RTO Insider ↩ ↩2

  16. California ISO ↩

  17. U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) (.gov) ↩

  18. Idaho Power ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  19. Northwest Power and Conservation Council ↩

  20. Idaho National Laboratory (.gov) ↩

  21. Cause IQ ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  22. Wikipedia ↩

  23. CleanCounts ↩ ↩2

  24. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (.gov) ↩ ↩2

  25. Carbon Solutions Group ↩