Riding along with the financial bailout bill approved by the U.S. Senate last week were several obscure bills, including one aimed at dropping excise taxes on wooden arrows made for children. While that bill may benefit few more than an archery company in tiny Myrtle Point, Ore., portions of the $17 billion of included energy incentives are expected to have a positive effect in the world of alternative energy products here in Idaho.

In Gooding, Dean Richardson, owner of Dargreen Power Systems, a business which sells alternative energy products, system designs and installs alternative energy systems, said, "The federal subsidy of these products was scheduled to end soon. Solar panels, windmills and other products will now continue to carry a tax write-off that enables them to compete with established energy sources. This is a $100 million continuance."

Originally from Seattle, Richardson started selling his products on the Web site eBay and came to Idaho eight years ago where he continued to develop his Internet business. Through his Web site and his Gooding office, Richardson meets prospective customers and designs off-grid and grid tie-in systems that take advantage of solar and wind power.

"Many of my clients are older. I don't have one customer who is younger than me," said Richardson, in his late 40s. "They are saying they want to be self-sufficient. They have seen hard times and they want to be prepared."

Richardson is a registered Idaho state contractor and a certified installer and handles isolated, low voltage situations. When dealing with higher voltages, he uses licensed electricians.

"Everything is so different now. The systems and products are more sophisticated. People need an installer now," Richardson stated.

Asked how Idaho Power Co. takes all this, Richardson said, "Idaho Power is all ready for us now and we work together fine."

Dan Olmstead, an Idaho Power company relations representative, said the company's best way to help customers learn how to save power is to send them to the Idaho Power Web site, www.idahopower.com, and visit its "Energy Center" link. The site delves into customer tips, advice for using less energy and directions for finding company experts for gathering information.

"The Web site is designed for the public as well as private enterprise." Olmstead said.

But most of Idaho Power's Web site is concerned with saving energy and not alternative energy sources.

Helen Edwards, Gooding County Commissioner, said, "Commissioner Tom Faulkner is a member of one of Idaho Power's CAC (Community Advisory Committees) study groups."

The groups provide learning opportunities for public officials and government employees, though interested individuals may also attend.

Edwards mentioned the dozen or so hydro-plants in the county that generate electricity along irrigation canals and some rivers as steps toward further harnessing alternative energy resources.

"We know the county is going to have to get more involved in alternative energy at some point soon," she said.

"As energy costs go up we will have to do something," Richardson said. "We should exhaust all the possibilities we have right now before using fossil fuels. We may not even need to continue using fossil fuels if we do that."

Mary Hanson may be reached at mhansonmbd@aol.com.