On December 12, 2022, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (the WUTC) approved a multiparty settlement stipulation (Settlement) subject to conditions for Avista Corporation’s (Avista) multi-year rate plan for electric and gas service in Docket Nos. UE-220053 and UG-220054. This was the first approved rate increase since the Washington Legislature passed legislation in 2021 requiring utilities to file multi-year rate plans.
OPUC Prohibits the Use of the “Agent Subscription Model” in Oregon’s Community Solar Program
On October 6, 2022, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (the Commission) issued an order prohibiting the use of the “agent subscription model” in the Oregon Community Solar Program (CSP).
Idaho, Oregon, and Utah Commission Orders on PacifiCorp IRPs
On September 1, 2021, PacifiCorp filed its 2021 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC or Idaho Commission), Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC or Oregon Commission), and the Utah Public Service Commission (UPSC or Utah Commission). The Idaho Commission accepted and acknowledged the 2021 IRP in an August 30, 2022 written order. The Oregon Commission acknowledged the 2021 IRP, with conditions, at a public meeting on March 29, 2022, and memorialized that decision in an order on May 23, 2022. The Utah Commission declined to acknowledge the 2021 IRP in an order issued on June 2, 2022.
NIPPC Releases Whitepaper on How Competition Improves Decarbonization
On July 20, 2022, the Northwest & Intermountain Power Producers Coalition (NIPPC) released a whitepaper titled “The Role of Competition in the Pacific Northwest Clean Energy Transition,” that examines how wholesale and retail competition in the power sector can contribute to the Pacific Northwest’s decarbonization goals.
Oregon Commission Approves PGE’s 2021 RFP Final Shortlist with Conditions
At the July 14, 2022 Special Public Meeting in Docket No. UM 2166, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (Commission) acknowledged Portland General Electric Company’s (PGE’s) final shortlist for its 2021 All-Source Request for Proposals (RFP) with conditions. The Commission published an Order memorializing its decision on August 31, 2022. PGE will begin negotiations with bidders from the final shortlist.
Northwest Energy, Administrative, and Environmental Law Classes
Mr. Sanger, in addition to the work he does in the firm, is a Professor of Law at Lewis & Clark Law School as well as instructor for the Paralegal program at Portland Community College. Mr. Sanger has been teaching for almost a decade and enjoys teaching students about environmental, energy and administrative law while giving examples of how the law works in a practical setting.
Oregon PUC Resolves Interconnection Dispute
On April 29, 2022 in Docket No. UM 2164, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (the Commission or OPUC) denied the claims brought by Conifer Energy Partners, LLC against Portland General Electric Company (PGE) in a complaint disputing the cost of interconnection of its Zena Solar photovoltaic qualifying facility (QF). Zena Solar’s disputes with PGE had been ongoing since early 2018.
Utah, Washington, and Oregon Commissions Approve PacifiCorp’s 2022 RFP
At the March 10, 2022 Open Meeting, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (the Washington Commission) approved PacifiCorp’s 2022 request for proposals (RFP) with conditions in Docket No. UE-210979. At the April 14, 2022 Special Public Meeting, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (the Oregon Commission) approved PacifiCorp’s 2022 RFP with several conditions in Docket No. UM 2193. In an Order from April 22, 2022, the Utah Public Service Commission (the Utah Commission) also approved PacifiCorp’s 2022 RFP with conditions in Docket No. 21-035-52. PacifiCorp’s RFP was issued to the market in April and bids are expected to be due in January 2023.
Washington Commission Declined to Increase Avista’s Avoided Costs
At the March 10, 2022 Open Meeting, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (the Commission) approved Avista’s avoided cost Schedule 62 tariff filing in Docket No. UE-210815.
Oregon Commission Denied Idaho Power Company’s Request to Waive the Competitive Bidding Rules
At the March 8, 2022 Public Meeting, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (the Oregon Commission) denied Idaho Power Company’s (Idaho Power) waiver request of Oregon’s competitive bidding rules. Oregon’s competitive bidding rules lay out the process for a Request for Proposals (RFP) when a utility will acquire resources of an aggregate of 80 megawatts for five years or more and require an Independent Evaluator to oversee the RFP process.