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Commission Endorses Nonprofit Energy Conservation Organization Concept
October 20, 2000 (2000-051)
Contacts: Ron Eachus, Chairman, 503 378-6611; Roger Hamilton, Commissioner, 503 378-6611; Joan H. Smith, Commissioner, 503 378-6611; Bob Valdez, Public Information Officer, 503 378-8962
Salem, OR - The Oregon Public Utility Commission today cleared the way for establishing a new nonprofit organization to oversee monies collected from Portland General Electric and PacifiCorp for conservation and renewable energy projects as required by the 1999 Oregon Utility Restructuring Law.
SB 1149 requires the two utilities to collect a three-percent public purpose charge from all customers when direct access to competitive energy markets is offered to nonresidential customers.
The cost of current conservation programs will be removed from the utility company's rates.
It's estimated PGE and Pacificorp will collect $30 million each year for investment in conservation and renewable resources.
"This is a very important piece of Senate Bill 1149," Commissioner Joan Smith said. "We're only allowing the process to go forward. The key is to be ready by October 1, 2001."
The purpose of the organization is to support the development of cost-effective local energy conservation, market transformation energy conservation, and renewable energy resources for utility customers of Oregon.
As a long-term outcome, public purpose funding will seek to encourage the development of competitive markets for energy efficiency services and renewable resources.
"This new organization, while accountable to the PUC, will focus its expertise in designing new energy projects and managing competitive bids," Commissioner Roger Hamilton said. "We don't want Oregon to drop the ball on investing in new, clean energy resources as the electricity industry becomes more competitive."
Jason Eisdorfer with the Citizens' Utility Board said, "This is one of the most exciting elements of restructuring, and I hope it will prove to be a superior delivery system."
The Commission approval of the nonprofit concept clears the way for staff to move forward with the next steps in the process of establishing the nonprofit yet-to-be-named organization.
Although the organization will be independent from state government and governed by an independent board of directors, it will be fully and regularly accountable to the PUC.
The draft bylaws provide for a minimum of five and maximum of eleven members.
After the initial board has been recruited and approved by the PUC, the final steps of incorporation and recognition as nonprofit will take place.
The goal is to have an organization with a clear strategic plan and initial staff on board October 1, 2001 when the state's two investor-owned utilities would begin collecting the public purpose charge.
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