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.
Oregon Commission Issues Order in Docket No. UM 2032 Related to Network Upgrade Cost Allocation and Interconnection Service for QFs
On January 20, 2023, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (Commission) released an order in Docket No. UM 2032 related to network upgrade cost allocation and interconnection service for qualifying facilities (QFs). The Commission directed Commission Staff to open an informal rulemaking related to state-jurisdictional transmission planning. The Commission also directed the utilities to accept an interconnection service besides Network Resource Integration Service (NRIS) if the QF will negotiate a non-standard contract and consent to curtailment.
Oregon Court of Appeals Affirms Oregon Public Utility Commission Order Regarding PGE’s PURPA Fixed Price Term and Oregon Public Utility Commission Jurisdiction
On January 5, 2023, the Oregon Court of Appeals affirmed an appeal of the Oregon Public Utility Commission’s (Commission) order in Docket No. UM 1931 regarding Commission jurisdiction over executed Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) contracts and the start of Portland General Electric Company’s (PGE) fixed-price term under then-existing standard power purchase agreements (PPA). The Court’s decision held that the 15-year fixed-price period under PGE’s then-existing PURPA PPAs began at contract execution not commercial operation date and that the Commission has jurisdiction over executed contracts between qualifying facilities (QFs) and the utilities.
Oregon Commission Acknowledges Idaho Power’s 2021 IRP
On December 30, 2021, Idaho Power filed its 2021 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) with the Oregon Public Utility Commission (Commission). The Commission acknowledged the 2021 IRP and adopted Commission Staff’s recommendations at a public meeting on December 6, 2022 and memorialized that decision in an order on January 13, 2023.
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.
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.