Last week, a Stage 2 alert was issued for the Pacific Northwest and then lifted when the weather warmed up. In theory, the problems in California and other states could suck power away from Idaho. That's because all of the power generated in the West, including Idaho Power's, is transmitted through the intermeshed Western Power Grid. The electricity will follow the path of least resistance, meaning Idaho Power's electricity might actually be used in Oregon or California, and power users here might actually be using power generated by Nevada Power or some other utility. If a region, such as California, runs out of electricity, it could sap supplies in other regions until the utilities cut off users.
Power companies know how much power they are generating and how much they have contracted for.
By monitoring the flow, they know when they have reached their limit and have to cut off users. Idaho Power computers based in Boise monitor the three dams in the Hells Canyon Complex, sending signals every two seconds, to monitor the flow of electricity, Prescott said. But should one of the company's turbines break down or a cold snap hit, Idaho would be in the same situation as California and have to buy high-priced electricity on the market. Ultimately, it would be the users who would have to foot the cost. Every year, the amount Idaho Power can charge for its electricity is set by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission under the power cost adjustment mechanism.