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.
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.
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.
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).