Signed by Governor Tina Kotek

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires requires the Public Utility Commission to set a cap at no less than 10 megawatts for the use of standard avoided cost rates and contracts for the purchase of energy or energy and capacity from qualifying facilities (QFs) under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) in Oregon.

Highlights:

• Requires the Public Utility Commission to establish minimum criteria that a cogeneration facility or small power production facility must meet to be a qualifying facility (Sec. 1).

• Specifies the terms and conditions for the purchase of energy or energy and capacity to be as follows (Sec. 1):

• Be established by rule by the commission if the purchase is by a public utility;

• Be adopted by an electric cooperative or people’s utility district according to the applicable provision of ORS chapter 62 or 261; and

• Be established by a municipal utility according to the requirements of the municipality’s charter and ordinance.

• Establishes safety and operating requirements necessary to adequately protect all systems, facilities and equipment of the electric utility and qualifying facility (Sec. 1).

• Establishes the eligibility cap for standard avoided costs rates and contracts for the purchase of energy or energy and capacity from qualifying facilities at no less than 10 megawatts (Sec. 1). 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires requires the Public Utility Commission to set a cap at no less than 10 megawatts for the use of standard avoided cost rates and contracts for the purchase of energy or energy and capacity from qualifying facilities (QFs) under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) in Oregon.

Highlights:

• Requires the Public Utility Commission to establish minimum criteria that a cogeneration facility or small power production facility must meet to be a qualifying facility (Sec. 1).

• Specifies the terms and conditions for the purchase of energy or energy and capacity to be as follows (Sec. 1):

• Be established by rule by the commission if the purchase is by a public utility;

• Be adopted by an electric cooperative or people’s utility district according to the applicable provision of ORS chapter 62 or 261; and

• Be established by a municipal utility according to the requirements of the municipality’s charter and ordinance.

• Establishes safety and operating requirements necessary to adequately protect all systems, facilities and equipment of the electric utility and qualifying facility (Sec. 1).

• Establishes the eligibility cap for standard avoided costs rates and contracts for the purchase of energy or energy and capacity from qualifying facilities at no less than 10 megawatts (Sec. 1). 

Full Bill Text