Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho utilities today began what's likely a tough legislative fight to force small alternative power projects to hand over their renewable energy credits. Idaho Power Co., Avista Corp. and Rocky Mountain Power began pushing lawmakers on the Senate State Affairs Committee to award them these so-called "green tags" that result when they buy renewable projects' electricity; the committee agreed to introduce the bill. Currently, alternative power developers that include agricultural giants Simplot Co. and Cargill can keep the credits, which are worth up to $1 million annually when they're sold to utilities in states with renewable portfolio standards that Idaho doesn't have. Developers say they need these valuable credits, arguing they sometimes make the difference in their small projects' economic viability. Utilities counter they should have them to sell, to offset costs and reduce customers' rates.