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.
This rulemaking docket stemmed from Phase 1 of Docket No. UM 2111 that developed draft rules related to modernization of the screening and interconnection study process, updating IEEE standards, incorporating modern configurations such as advanced inverters, storage and islanding, and addressing access to transparent data. There were several rounds of workshops and comments in UM 2111 and AR 659.
The rules are comprehensive and cover a wide variety of topics including high-speed reclosing, utility interconnection handbooks, utility legacy data updates for export capacity, updated IEEE standards for interconnection, minor equipment modifications in the interconnection process, timelines for execution of interconnection agreements and deposits, updates to the interconnection screening study process, and more. Regarding interconnection handbooks, the Commission directed the utilities to update interconnection handbooks after conclusion of the docket with the new requirements from the rulemaking. Further, the Commission set up a process that requires the utilities to provide notice on their website and to limited stakeholders any time the utility updates its handbook. The rules also provide an opportunity to comment on any proposed changes. Finally, the Commission directed their Staff to host an annual workshop for stakeholders to raise any concerns with the handbooks and determine whether Commission engagement is recommended.
Sanger Law, PC represented the Renewable Energy Coalition (REC) in this proceeding.
REC advocates for reasonable Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act and interconnection policies on behalf of renewable qualifying facilities that are located in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Disclaimer
These materials are intended to as informational and are not to be considered legal advice or legal opinion, nor do they create a lawyer-client relationship. Information included about previous case results does not assure a similar future result.
