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August 24, 2008

Utility/Energy Policy Analyst Position Available at CUB

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
UTILITY AND POLICY ANALYST

The Citizens' Utility Board of Oregon (CUB) is hiring a full-time utility and policy analyst to represent residential ratepayers in utility rate cases, and in the development of energy policy related to climate change and the environment.

CUB is an independent non-profit established under Oregon law to represent residential ratepayers before the PUC, the Legislature, Oregon Courts and other forums. Since its establishment in 1984, CUB has saved ratepayers more than $4 billion and has helped create innovative energy policy, including the Oregon Renewable Energy Standard and the establishment of the Energy Trust of Oregon.

Responsibilities:

* Analyze utility rate cases on behalf of residential customers:
o Work with CUB staff and witnesses to devise a strategy in utility rate proceedings that provides for affordable rates and accountable utilities.
o Work with CUB staff and witnesses in analyzing utility financial and technical data in order to develop and submit testimony in utility rate proceedings.
o Provide written testimony and analysis on behalf of CUB in utility rate cases and other regulatory proceedings.
o Represent utility customers in settlement conferences that negotiate utility rates and policy.

* Represent residential ratepayers in energy policy development:
o Work with CUB's executive director, attorney and lobbyist on developing CUB policy on energy and utility issues, including how the electric industry addresses climate change.
o Participate in state and regional forums that are developing energy and climate change policy.
o Review state and federal legislation pertaining to energy and utilities.

* Maintain document archives and ongoing recordkeeping in current dockets.
o Organize and maintain archiving system for past and maintain recordkeeping for current dockets so that material and information is readily accessible for ongoing rate cases and other policy work.

Compensation:
* Non-profit salary based on experience with health insurance, vacation and retirement benefits.

Qualifications:
* Minimum of 2-3 years experience with financial or technical analysis.
* Energy, utility and/or regulatory background preferred, but not required.
* Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and manage multiple deadlines.
* Experience with non-profit organizations.
* Sense of humor.

To Apply:
* Send resume and cover letter by email to bob@oregoncub.org by September 15, 2008.

Posted by Oregon CUB at 01:36 AM

August 10, 2008

CUB Seeks Staff Attorney

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
ATTORNEY: ENERGY AND CONSUMER LAW

The Citizens' Utility Board of Oregon (CUB) is hiring a full-time attorney to represent residential ratepayers in utility rate cases, and in the development of energy policy related to climate change and the environment.

CUB is an independent non-profit established under Oregon law to represent residential ratepayers before the PUC, the Legislature, Oregon Courts and other forums. Since its establishment in 1984, CUB has saved ratepayers more than $4 billion and has helped create innovative energy policy, including the Oregon Renewable Energy Standard and the establishment of the Energy Trust of Oregon.

Responsibilities:

Represent Residential Ratepayers in Utility Rate Cases:

* Work with CUB staff and witnesses to devise a strategy in
utility rate proceedings that provides for affordable rates
and accountable utilities.

* Work with CUB staff and witnesses in conducting discovery and
submitting testimony in utility rate proceedings.

* Write briefs, conduct cross examination, and provide oral
argument in utility rate cases.

Represent Residential Ratepayers in Energy Policy Development:

* Work with CUB's lobbyist on developing legislation pertaining
to energy and utility issues, including how the electric
industry addresses climate change.

* Participate in regional forums that are developing climate
change policy.

* Review state and federal legislation pertaining to energy and
utilities.

Provide Legal Advice to Non-Profit Corporation

* Serve as legal counsel to the Citizens' Utility Board of
Oregon and the CUB Policy Center, advising the Executive
Director and the Board of Governors.

Compensation:

Non-profit salary based on experience with health insurance,
vacation and retirement benefits.

Qualifications:

* Minimum of 2-3 years legal experience.

* Energy, utility and/or regulatory background preferred, but
not required.

* Member of the Oregon State Bar, reciprocity or the ability to
become a member of the Oregon Bar.

* Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
and manage multiple deadlines.

* Experience with non-profit organizations.

* Sense of humor.

To Apply:

Send resume and cover letter by email to bob@oregoncub.org.

Posted by Oregon CUB at 01:21 AM

August 06, 2008

Solar Power Alive and Well in Oregon

Solar power -- and wind power, too -- is alive and well in Oregon after a decision last week from the Oregon Public Utility Commission. At stake was the future of about 13 MW of solar power projects, or more than double the solar capacity that Oregon currently has. These projects are under a deadline imposed by the possible termination of federal tax credits as of Dec. 31, 2008. The projects were being held up by questions raised by Pacific Power, the second largest provider of electric utility service in Oregon, as to the status of solar power investors under state regulation. The hold placed on solar projects while the matter was being considered by the PUC has now been released, and solar construction is once more underway.

Pacific Power questioned whether state regulatory requirements designed to apply to energy companies that sell power to large commercial and industrial customers should be applied to entities which finance the construction of large commercial-scale solar power projects (in the 100-2000 kw range). But the companies don't sell power to anyone else besides the customer on whose building the solar array sits, and regulating them as if they did would have put a damper on solar construction. The real issue was which law applies to these projects: Oregon's "net metering" law, which regulates how solar on homes and businesses interacts with the local utility, or the State's "direct access" law, which allows large utility customers to purchase electricity from someone other than their local utility. The PUC got it right.

This is important, since wind and solar power constitute a burgeoning green economic engine for Oregon and are helping us address the serious consequences of global warming pollution here in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon is one of the top ten states in the nation for solar development, with about 80% of that development relying on a third-party investor. All of that third-party investor development was at risk throughout June and July.

The way it works now: a third-party investor who pays to build the solar array owns that system, benefits from any tax credits associated with its construction (currently, there are federal and state tax credits available, as well as Energy Trust incentives for many projects in PGE and Pacific Power territory), and contracts to sell the resulting power to the "host" organization who owns the building. Because the host organization, usually a non-profit such as a community college or government entity such as a city, often cannot take advantage of tax credits because of their own tax-exempt status, they would not be able to afford the solar projects without the third-party financing. Once the solar panels are up and running they can supply a good portion -- up to 18% -- of the host organization's electricity, and can even put power back onto the electrical grid when they produce more than the organization is consuming; this process is called net metering.

The timing on all of this has been hugely important and somewhat of a nail-biter. In mid-June, Pacific Power filed at the PUC (filing jointly with one of the state's largest third-party solar investors, Honeywell, Inc.) a request for a declaratory ruling on the status of solar investors under regulatory law. Meanwhile, a few dozen solar projects were placed on hold, with participants knowing the projects might never happen at all if they couldn't be finished by the end of this year, when federal tax credits could end.

The PUC recognized that clarity and speed were of the utmost importance and they released their decision July 31st, which is somewhere between rocket launch and warp speed. We applaud the PUC's ability to move this issue through so quickly. We also regard the PUC's decision itself as being well done; it balanced a fine reading of the law with a clear, pragmatic look at the needs of the solar industry and the State.

The PUC's decision comes almost simultaneously with an announcement of a new technology for storing solar power, which could make the renewable power source more practicable for more houses and businesses than ever before. So it's August, and finally we can say, in a couple of different ways, "Now we're cookin' with sun!"

Posted by Oregon CUB at 10:19 AM | Comments (0)