On July 13, 2017, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (Washington Commission) approved a special contract between Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and Microsoft that was supported by a broad coalition of renewable energy advocates, independent power producers, environmentalists, ratepayer and low-income advocates, and the Commission Staff. [Read more…]
Oregon PUC Adopts Community Solar Rules
July 2, 2017 By
On June 29, 2017, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (Oregon Commission) adopted rules to implement a community solar program as required by Senate Bill 1547. The community solar rules are far more limited than envisioned by the legislature, but may provide for a framework for a modest community solar program. [Read more…]
SouthWest Water Acquires Running Y and Cline Butte Water Utilities
May 23, 2017 By
In May 2017, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (Oregon Commission) approved the sale of Cline Butte Water and Running Y, two regulated water utilities, to SouthWest Water Company (SouthWest). The Oregon Commission concluded that SouthWest was a well qualified purchaser and that the acquisition promises operational benefits to customers. [Read more…]
D.C. Circuit Court Affirms FERC Order in Wind Farm Complaint Against PGE
May 2, 2017 By
On April 25, 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (Circuit Court) dismissed petitions for review by PáTu Wind Farm (PáTu) and Portland General Electric Company (PGE) appealing Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) orders requiring PGE to purchase the full net output delivered by PáTu and rejecting PáTu’s request that PGE accept the power through specific transmission arrangements called dynamic transfer. [Read more…]
Puget Sound Energy PURPA Rates Modified
February 16, 2017 By
On February 9, 2017, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (Washington Commission) approved new avoided cost rates for Puget Sound Energy (PSE) after PSE abandoned its proposal to stop paying qualifying facilities (QFs) for capacity in certain years, and strongly encouraging PSE to enter into power purchase agreements (PPAs) with projects with delayed negotiations. [Read more…]
