In May 2017, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (Oregon Commission) approved the sale of Cline Butte Water and Running Y, two regulated water utilities, to SouthWest Water Company (SouthWest). The Oregon Commission concluded that SouthWest was a well qualified purchaser and that the acquisition promises operational benefits to customers. [Read more…]
D.C. Circuit Court Affirms FERC Order in Wind Farm Complaint Against PGE
May 2, 2017 By
On April 25, 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (Circuit Court) dismissed petitions for review by PáTu Wind Farm (PáTu) and Portland General Electric Company (PGE) appealing Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) orders requiring PGE to purchase the full net output delivered by PáTu and rejecting PáTu’s request that PGE accept the power through specific transmission arrangements called dynamic transfer. [Read more…]
Oregon Commission Adopts Guidelines and Requirements for Energy Storage Procurement
January 11, 2017 By
In the final days of 2016, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (Commission) issued an order implementing House Bill 2192 (HB 2193) and setting the stage for energy storage in Oregon. The Commission’s order adopts: 1) guidelines for utilities to submit proposals for authorization to develop storage projects; 2) requirements for evaluating a utility’s system-wide storage potential; and 3) minimum competitive bidding requirements for energy storage procurement. [Read more…]
Oregon PUC Affirms PacifiCorp Power Costs
December 27, 2016 By
On December 20, 2016, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (Oregon Commission) approved PacifiCorp’s transition adjustment mechanism (TAM) filing, which sets its annual power costs and direct access stranded cost exit fees on customers that choose to purchase power from third party electricity service suppliers (ESS). The Oregon Commission essentially agreed with PacifiCorp on all major issues, rejecting recommendations by its Staff, industrial and residential customers, and an ESS. [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…]
