|
The Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) approved new energy portfolio options, including green power, that will be available to residential and small nonresidential customers of the state's two large investor-owned utilities beginning this fall. Under Oregon's 1999 restructuring law, Portland General Electric (PGE) and PacifiCorp are required to provide a market-based rate option and at least one renewable energy option.
The OPUC approved three types of renewable energy options, which essentially correspond to green power products already being offered by the two utilities. The first option is a renewable resources block product, which allows customers to buy one or more blocks of renewable power each month. The second option is a blended renewable energy product containing a minimum of 50% renewable energy with at least 15% coming from new renewable sources; the remaining product content must meet regional system average emissions as well as the state's siting standard for carbon dioxide emissions. The final option is an "environmental mitigation product," which allows customers to purchase blocks of power from renewable sources that will help restore threatened or endangered fish species.
The PUC plans to set rates for the new product options this summer. Consumers will receive enrollment packages in August and will be able to switch to one of the alternative service options starting in October.
News Release - Commission Expands Energy Choices for Consumers - No longer online at www.puc.state.or.us
News Article - PUC tells utilities to offer price plans (The Oregonian)
PUC Contact: Bob Valdez (503) 378-8962
|
