On December 15, 2016, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (Washington Commission) rejected, in a 2-1 decision, Avista’s proposal to increase electric rates by 7.6 percent and natural gas rates by 2.8 percent. Rather than reduce the utility’s rate increase, the Washington Commission took the unusual action of simply rejecting in its entirety by concluding that Avista failed to carry its burden to show that its current rates are not fully sufficient to meet its needs. [Read more…]
FERC Protects QFs in the Interconnection Process
December 20, 2016 By
On December 15, 2016, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a declaratory order finding that the Montana Public Service Commission’s (Montana Commission) legally enforceable obligation standard is inconsistent with the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) and FERC’s PURPA regulations. FERC rejected the Montana Commission’s requirement that that a qualifying facility (QF) complete a facilities study or an interconnection agreement as a predicate for a legally enforceable obligation is contrary to PURPA. [Read more…]
Idaho PUC Re-affirms Two Year Contract Terms
December 16, 2016 By
On December 13, 2016, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (Idaho Commission) issued an order approving a request by Idaho Power Company (Idaho Power) to affirm two-year contract terms and low capacity payments for larger qualifying facilities (QFs). The order applies to wind and solar QFs above 100 kilowatts and all other QFs above 10 megawatts (MW). [Read more…]
Utah Commission Requires PacifiCorp to Enter into QF Contract
August 12, 2016 By
On July 29, 2016, the Utah Public Service Commission (the Utah Commission) required PacifiCorp (dba Rocky Mountain Power) to enter into a twenty-year power purchase agreement at higher avoided cost rates than were existence when PacifiCorp ultimately decided to sign the contract. [Read more…]
Oregon Commission Hesitant to Approve Rushed RFP Processes
August 8, 2016 By
The Oregon Public Utility Commission (Commission) declined to approve both PacifiCorp and Portland General Electric (PGE) explored their options for acquiring new renewable resources. The utilities proposed expedited request for proposals (RFP) to take full advantage of the federal production tax credit (PTC), before it begins stepping down in 2017, to help meet the new renewable portfolio standards implemented by SB 1547. Neither utility will acquire new renewable resources at this time. [Read more…]
