On February 16, 2018, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (Oregon Commission) adopted an opposed settlement and allowed Portland General Electric Company (PGE) to undertake three pilot programs designed to accelerate transportation electrification, including increased PGE ownership of charging stations. The Oregon Commission, however, modified provisions in the stipulation addressing future meetings and processes related to developing specific learnings from PGE’s pilot programs to allow broader participation.
Oregon PUC Exercises Primary Jurisdiction Over Executed PURPA Contract
On January 25, 2018, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (Oregon Commission) elected to take jurisdiction over a contract dispute between a qualifying facility (QF) Pacific Northwest Solar (PNW Solar) and Portland General Electric Company (PGE). The Oregon Commission became one of the only state agencies to conclude that it should resolve post-contract execution decisions and breaks from almost forty years of Oregon court case law in which QF contract disputes were resolved by the courts rather than an administrative agency.
Utah PSC Modifies Rocky Mountain Power’s Avoided Cost Methodology
On January 23, 2018, the Utah Public Service Commission (Utah Commission) adopted updates and revisions to Rocky Mountain Power’s avoided cost pricing methodologies for qualifying facility (QF) resources. Rocky Mountain Power will now offer renewable resources of the same kind or type a renewable avoided cost rate based on the costs of a similar or a “like” renewable resource.
PacifiCorp Stranded Cost Filing Rejected by Washington UTC
On October 12, 2017, PacifiCorp’s stranded cost tariff was rejected by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (Washington Commission). PacifiCorp proposed a tariff that would broadly charge departing customers removal costs as well as impose a significant exit fee to recover its alleged stranded costs. The Washington Commission’s order agreed in principle that customers that leave the utility’s service should pay for both removal costs necessary for their disconnection and stranded costs, but rejected PacifiCorp’s specific tariff concluding that stranded costs should be calculated on a case-by-case basis.
Oregon PUC requires PGE to Offer 15 Year Fixed Price QF Contracts
On July 13, 2017, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (Oregon Commission) ordered PGE to begin allowing qualifying facilities (QF) the option to enter into power purchase agreements (PPA) with fifteen years of fixed prices. The order was consistent with the Oregon Commission’s previously articulated policy that Oregon utilities must offer PPAs with fixed-price periods of fifteen years.
Washington UTC Approves PSE-Microsoft Renewable Direct Access Contract
On July 13, 2017, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (Washington Commission) approved a special contract between Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and Microsoft that was supported by a broad coalition of renewable energy advocates, independent power producers, environmentalists, ratepayer and low-income advocates, and the Commission Staff.
Oregon PUC Adopts Community Solar Rules
On June 29, 2017, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (Oregon Commission) adopted rules to implement a community solar program as required by Senate Bill 1547. The community solar rules are far more limited than envisioned by the legislature, but may provide for a framework for a modest community solar program.
SouthWest Water Acquires Running Y and Cline Butte Water Utilities
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.
D.C. Circuit Court Affirms FERC Order in Wind Farm Complaint Against PGE
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.
Puget Sound Energy PURPA Rates Modified
On February 9, 2017, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (Washington Commission) approved new avoided cost rates for Puget Sound Energy (PSE) after PSE abandoned its proposal to stop paying qualifying facilities (QFs) for capacity in certain years, and strongly encouraging PSE to enter into power purchase agreements (PPAs) with projects with delayed negotiations.