| Electric Utility Deregulation |
|
|
 |
|
|
In July 1999, the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 1149 which introduces competition into the retail electricity market of Oregon´s two largest utilities. That legislation was amended by the passage of House Bill 3633 in the 2001 Legislature.
How It Affects Non-Residential Consumers
As of March 1, 2002, Portland General Electric (PGE) and PacifiCorp allowed their non-residential consumers to purchase electricity (and certain related services) from other electricity providers. Transmission, distribution, and other facets of electricity service remain fully regulated by the Oregon Public Utilities Commission (OPUC).
- Power options available for non-residential consumers
How It Affects Residential Consumers
At the same time PGE and PacifiCorp allow choice of provider for their non-residential consumers, they must offer their residential (and small business) consumers a choice of rates from at least three options: a regulated cost-of-service rate, a renewable-resources rate, and a market-based rate. The Public Utilities Commission reported to the Legislature in 2003 on whether residential consumers would also benefit from the opportunity to choose an electricity provider from among competitors.
· Power options available for residential consumers
How It Affects Other Utilities
Oregon´s publicly owned utilities - the coops, municipalities, and public utility districts - may decide themselves if and when they will open their service areas to competition and, if they do, how they will do it.
Public Purposes Charges
PacifiCorp and PGE opened their service areas to retail competition on March 1, 2002. When they did, they began to collect (by law) a charge, called a public purpose charge, from their consumers to pay for public purposes: conservation, renewable resources, and services for low-income households.
Oregon´s 39 publicly owned utilities may choose to open their service areas to competition. If they do, the rules for public utility public purpose charges are different than in investor owned utility service areas.
What Is Happening?
The Oregon Public Utilities Commission has completed Oregon Administrative Rules Division 38 on the electric utility restructuring and deregulation.
The Oregon Department of Energy has completed theOregon Administrative Rules Division 140 regarding large electricity consumer self direction of public purpose charges and reviews applications under this program.
The Oregon Department Energy also facilitates the administration of public purpose funds for schools.
The Oregon Housing and Community Services Department is responsible for administering public purpose funds for low income weatherization and low income housing.
The Energy Trust of Oregon, a non-governmental, non-profit organization manages the energy conservation and renewable resource public purpose funds.
|
Utility Restructuring Legislation Senate Bill 1149
Utility Restructuring Legislation House Bill 3633
Public Purpose Charges in Public Utility Service Territories
Oregon Public Utility Commission Role
State Agencies and Power Purchasing
Edition 3 of the Power Technologies Energy Data Book
Who Else Is Involved?
Oregon Public Utilities Commission
Oregon Housing and Community Services Department
Energy Trust of Oregon
Portland General Electric
PacifiCorp
|
|
|
|
|
