On March 12, 2024, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (Commission) issued Order No. 24-070 in Docket No. UM 2299 related to standard contracts for small qualifying facilities (QF) 10 MW and under. The Commission adopted one new standard contract for all utilities and directed the utilities to file compliance contracts and contracting schedules.
OPUC Adopts New Rules Related to Interconnection
On March 8, 2024, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (Commission) issued Order No. 24-068 in Docket No. AR 659 related to interconnection updates for small generators under Oregon’s community solar program and implementation of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act, and net metering facilities.
Oregon Commission Approves PGE’s 2023 RFP
At the January 4, 2024 Public Meeting, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (the Oregon Commission) approved Portland General Electric Company’s (PGE) 2023 Request for Proposals (RFP) with several conditions in Docket No. UM 2274. The order approving the RFP was issued on January 12, 2024. PGE’s RFP is expected to be released to the market on January 26, 2024.
Law Review Articles on RTO Governance and eNGO Participation
On November 14, 2023, the Energy Bar Association published two law review articles titled Incorporating Environmental Concerns Into Wholesale Electric Markets: The Impact of Regional Transmission Organization Governance Models on ENGO Participation in Stakeholder Processes (Part I) and Incorporating Environmental Concerns Into Wholesale Electric Markets: Recommendations for Increasing Effective Participation of ENGOS in RTO Governance Stakeholder Processes (Part II) by Mark James, Kevin B. Jones, and Adelaide Hardwick.1
Oregon Commission Approves PacifiCorp’s Waiver of Competitive Bidding Rules for New Schedule 272 Agreements
On August 24, 2023, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (Commission) approved PacifiCorp’s application for a waiver of the Oregon competitive bidding rules (CBRs) to allow PacifiCorp to move forward with two solar purchase power agreements (PPAs) and a related agreement under PacifiCorp’s Schedule 272.
Oregon Commission Adopts Interim Solar+Storage Standard Rate in Docket No. UM 2000
On May 18, 2023, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (Commission) issued an order in Docket No. UM 2000 adopting an interim solar+storage standard avoided cost rate for qualifying facilities. The utilities are required to file the new avoided cost rates by July 31, 2023.
NIPPC and RNW Urge BPA Transmission Reform in New Whitepaper
On May 3, 2023, Renewable Northwest (RNW) and the Northwest & Intermountain Power Producers Coalition (NIPPC) published a whitepaper exploring how to ensure that the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) maintains one of its core purposes—transmitting power needed across the Northwest, regardless of which entity generates or consumes it—at a time of rapid change in the electric industry. The whitepaper can be viewed here. RNW and NIPPC stated that by adopting the reforms proposed in the whitepaper, or some similar combination of reforms, BPA can help ensure that the grid the Northwest needs will be in place and on time so that all consumers in the region continue to enjoy affordable, clean, and reliable electricity.
Oregon Commission Adopts New Rules Related to QF Contracts
On April 25, 2023, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (Commission) issued an order in Docket No. AR 631 related to rules for contracting procedures and standard contracts for small qualifying facilities (QF) 10 MW and under. The Commission adopted new rules and directed the utilities in Oregon to file new standard contracts.
Oregon Commission Approves PacifiCorp’s Voluntary Renewable Energy Tariff
On December 16, 2022 the Oregon Public Utility Commission (Commission) approved PacifiCorp’s request for a general rate revision. The Oregon Commission approved a revenue requirement of approximately $51.4 million, representing a 3.9% increase from its previous rates. The Commission also approved new rates for the Power Cost Adjustment Mechanism (PCAM) and the Transition Adjustment Mechanism (TAM), and later in the proceeding approved a new green tariff for PacifiCorp.
BPA Adopted Settlement in TC-24 Related to Changes in BPA’s OATT
The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) issued the Administrator’s Final Record of Decision (Final ROD) on February 9, 2023 in the TC-24 proceeding. The Final ROD adopts changes to the terms and conditions of BPA’s open access transmission tariff (OATT) in accordance with the settlement reached among parties to the TC-24 proceeding (the TC-24 Settlement). The TC-24 Settlement itself was adopted following a collaborative process that included stakeholder workshops and settlement negotiations.