BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has approved a plan that allows the state's biggest utility to pursue contracts with three Magic Valley manure power developers.

The 15-year contracts are between Idaho Power Co. and New Energy, a company based in Middleton.

New Energy operates two anaerobic digesters in Twin Falls County and a third in Cassia County. The digesters use cow manure or other livestock waste, specifically the methane byproduct, to produce electricity.

The power generating capabilities for each digester differ.

The facility at the Rock Creek Dairy near Filer is projected to deliver nearly 1,300 megawatt-hours per month. The other two are projected to deliver half that amount.

Copyright 2010 The AP.