Historically dependent on water and coal for its sources of energy, Idaho now is looking for more balance that includes natural gas and renewable resources, according to a recent opinion poll of the Pacific Northwest and the hopes of the fledgling Idaho Petroleum Council (IPC).

While shale and hydraulic fracturing are not involved to date, the IPC is weighing in regarding exploration and development (E&P) stepping up in two counties — Payette and Washington — that has caused some debate between local and state officials on how closely to regulate the E&P activity.

In the meantime, an EarthFix regional three-state public opinion survey conducted in collaboration with public radio stations in the region has caused the IPC to play up the general public’s interest in seeing more natural gas-fired generation along with solar, wind and the region’s dominating hydroelectric supplies.

In an online survey of 1,200 residents natural gas was selected behind hydroelectric power as the citizens’ most popular energy sources, along with solar and wind.

The IPC quickly interpreted the results as “concrete evidence” that Idaho’s citizens strongly support clean, home-produced energy, according to Suzanne Budge, executive director of the IPC, which was created earlier this year and is headed by an executive at Intermountain Gas Corp.

Budge called the E&P activities ongoing in two Idaho counties “exciting opportunities” for the state to be “independent from out-of-state energy.” Nevertheless, the IPC is cautious and low-key in describing E&P ongoing in the state.

“No company has found shale gas in Idaho,” the IPC says bluntly on its website. “All of the production to date and all of the production that is anticipated in the future is through traditional drilling, very much like the process used to drill a water well. There has not been any shale hydraulic fracturing here in Idaho.”

However, IPC points out that there is a lot of information about “other kinds of drilling” in other communities. On the demand side, the organization says that Idaho Power Co.’s latest integrated resource plan calls for the expansion of its utility-owned gas-fired power generation.

It is not clear when or if Idaho will resolve ongoing debates surrounding gas E&P and efforts to balance the energy mix. It is clear that the newly formed industry group will continue reiterating its message: leave it to the operators and they will act responsibly in terms of drilling and producing more gas.

“This survey is exciting, but it actually reflects the fantastic support my company has received since we started business in Idaho,” said Richard Brown, owner of Snake River Oil and Gas. “We’re proud of the safe, environmentally responsible work we have done in the western Idaho basin. But we’re even more pleased by the great partnerships we have at the state and local level to help create jobs and bring new revenue to Idaho schools.”

IPC’s Chairman and a vice president at Intermountain Gas, Frank Morehouse, echoed these points. “For years the natural gas industry has been a trusted partner with Idaho businesses taking advantage of this inexpensive, clean energy resource,” he said.

©Copyright 2011Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. The preceding news reportmay not be republished or redistributed, in whole or in part, in anyform, without prior written consent of Intelligence Press, Inc.