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.
Oregon Commission Adopts Guidelines and Requirements for Energy Storage Procurement
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.
Oregon PUC Affirms PacifiCorp Power Costs
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.