On February 23, 2015, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (Oregon Commission) took the unusual step of rejecting an all-party settlement in Avista’s general rate case. The parties had agreed to reduce Avista’s $9.8 million (9.8% average) rate increase to $6.1 million (6.1% average), resolve a number of controversial issues, and allow Avista to increase rates early (March 1, 2015 rather than July 3, 2015). The Oregon Commission rejected the settlement because of concerns regarding a proposed early rate increase and implementation credit, the rate spread, and the customer count tracking mechanism. [Read more…]
Oregon Supreme Court Affirms OPUC Decision on Trojan Refunds
October 20, 2014 By
On October 4, 2014, the Oregon Supreme Court issued a decision that affirmed an order by the Oregon Public Utility Commission (Oregon Commission) requiring Portland General Electric Company (PGE) to refund amounts to its customers. Some of PGE’s customers and ratepayer advocates challenged the Oregon Commission’s decision on the grounds that the refunds to customers were insufficient. [Read more…]
OPUC Partially Acknowledges PacifiCorp IRP
August 20, 2014 By
On July 8, 2014, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (Oregon Commission) issued an order regarding PacifiCorp’s long-term plan for its generation and transmission resources. [Read more…]
Oregon Passes Renewable Portfolio Standard Changes
May 15, 2014 By
On April 1, 2014, Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber signed HB 4126, which makes changes to Oregon’s renewable portfolio standard. A renewable portfolio standard is a law that requires a utility to purchase a specific amount from renewable resources. HB 4126 is a compromise that will make it easier for electric cooperatives to meet their renewable portfolio standard requirements as they increase their electric load. The law may also allow Oregon utilities to offer separate “green tariffs” to non-residential customers. [Read more…]
Oregon Commission Reaffirms Many of Its PURPA Policies
May 5, 2014 By
On February 24, 2014, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (Oregon Commission) issued an order in the first part of its investigation into its policies related to contracting and pricing under the Oregon and federal Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA). The Oregon Commission maintained most of its existing policies; however, it made a number of modifications that could impact the development of small power production facilities. The order completes the first phase of its comprehensive investigation, and the Commission will consider a number of other critical PURPA-related issues in a second phase in 2015. [Read more…]
