CUB Policy Conference Preview: Going For 100%

Taking place on Friday, October 13, the 7th annual CUB Policy Conference – Utility Regulation 2.0: Empowering What’s Possible – will bring together a variety of stakeholders and decision makers from the energy industry in Oregon and the Pacific NW to discuss what, if anything, needs to change in regulation to meet the swiftly changing demands and challenges of the modern utility sector. This year’s conference theme is incredibly timely. Oregon has already enacted some nation-leading energy policy reforms; and as a state, we continue to ask many of the right questions about how to construct a fair and flexible energy system that works for everyone, but can also sustain itself over the long term.

While Oregon is certainly not “there” quite yet, we’ve worked hard to stay ahead of the national policy curve, especially in recent years. Last year’s Clean Electricity and Coal Transition Act laid a solid foundation for decarbonizing Oregon’s electric sector over the next two decades. Yet at the same time, climate change poses an ever-sobering existential threat – especially for already vulnerable communities.

That’s why municipalities such as the City of Portland, and other jurisdictions such as Multnomah County, continue to enact more locally-driven policies with climate goals above and beyond those established at the state level. Considering the White House has already stated its intention to exit the Paris Climate Accord in no uncertain terms, should we expect continued local-level climate action?

At the same time, the regulated energy utilities that meet most of Oregon’s demand face challenges of their own in meeting state-mandated renewable standards while embracing rapid technological innovation, larger industry trends, and a future that will likely require changes in the way(s) they go about their business. Where and how do consumer-owned or municipal utilities fit into this discussion?

The reality in which Oregon finds itself produces a number of difficult questions. These questions need answers, and soon, if we are to address climate change in a meaningful, safe, and equitable way.

Ultimately, these questions respond to how one “side” relates to another, and where and how those policy overlaps occur (picture a Venn diagram). That is, how do utilities manage conflicting signals from state and local government? How do local government officials interact and work with state officials to align on policy goals? How does (or should) the existing utility regulatory framework respond?

To help answer these heady questions, CUB has comprised a diverse afternoon breakout panel titled “Going For 100%: Local Government Actions Beyond State Carbon Reduction Goals”. The panel includes state and local officials and key utility representatives. Confirmed as of August 23 are Bill Edmonds, Director of Environmental Policy & Sustainability at NW Natural; Caroline Moore, Project Manager for New Program Development at Pacific Power; Representative Karin Power of Oregon House District 41; and John Wasiutynski, Director of Multnomah County’s Sustainability Office.

There is still time to register and take advantage of our early bird pricing, which ends on Friday September 29. Get your ticket today, and check out the conference website for agenda details, speaker bios, and more! CUB is also still accepting sponsorships at a variety of price levels; contact Pamela White for details at (503) 227-1984 x10 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

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