Last week an Idaho Power representative said that they are having doubts about the company’s ability to reach their goal of 100% clean energy by 2045. They indicated that they will have to choose between the three metrics of reliable, affordable or clean energy. However, recent studies and information from other states show all three are possible.

If we make our electricity cleaner will it become less affordable? No. Currently utility-scale clean energy from wind and solar is cheaper than burning coal or natural gas and industry analysts predict that costs for solar and wind will continue to decline due to technological advances yielding higher efficiencies. A 2023 study shows that replacing 99% of US coal plants with new wind or solar facilities would actually cost less than continuing to operate them as they are now.