PGE’s Clean Energy Plan

Posted on February 1, 2024 by Cassie Allen
Tags, Energy, General Interest

Community stakeholders speaking at town hall meeting

Last year, Portland General Electric (PGE) submitted its proposed plan to deliver 100% emissions-free electricity by 2040. Last week, regulators made a final decision on PGE’s plan. As part of their decision, they rejected PGE’s Clean Energy Plan. Instead, they directed the utility to take certain steps to comply with Oregon’s clean electricity law by this time next year.

For the past year, CUB and community groups have provided feedback on the utility’s proposed plan. Our goal is to ensure the utility is taking the best steps to reach climate goals as affordably as possible.

Clean Energy Plan Background

In 2021, Oregon passed the 100% Clean Electricity bill. Oregon’s largest electric utilities, Pacific Power and PGE, are now required to run on 100% emission-free electricity by 2040. The utilities must develop Clean Energy Plans to show how they will meet this ambitious goal.

In 2023, PGE submitted its Clean Energy Plan. Regulators and advocates, including CUB, reviewed the plan. Throughout the review, CUB pushed for more energy efficiency and improved community engagement.

Regulators’ Final Decision: PGE’s Plan Needs Work

Regulators Signed Off on Short-Term Plans

Regulators greenlit PGE’s plan to invest in significant amounts of renewable energy. This includes investing in larger utility-scale resources like solar, wind, and battery storage. The utility also plans to expand community-based, smaller-scale renewable energy projects.

However, regulators did not find that PGE’s plan sufficiently showed how it would meet the 100% Clean law. As a result, regulators directed PGE to come back in a year with recommended updates. This means that PGE can move ahead with its short-term resource investments but needs more work on its long-term plan.

More Energy Efficiency Programs

Energy efficiency is the cheapest way to meet our energy needs, cut consumer bills, and reduce pollution. Initially, PGE shied away from these investments, citing concerns with short-term cost customers.

CUB’s analysis showed investing in energy efficiency will reduce long-term costs for customers. We recommended that PGE work with the Energy Trust of Oregon to invest in cost-effective solutions. PGE agreed to adopt CUB’s recommendation and regulators agreed.

Energy efficiency prevents millions of tons of carbon dioxide from contributing to climate change each year. CUB maintains that energy efficiency is the cheapest resource available to customers. PGE needs this resource to meet both the energy needs of customers and Oregon’s ambitious clean energy mandates.

Improving Community Engagement

Regulators directed PGE to work more closely with communities in its planning processes. Community groups expressed disappointment and frustration with PGE’s engagement. While this was a new process for PGE, CUB did not see much change from the company throughout planning.

CUB firmly believes that meaningfully engaging with communities means better public policies for all. PGE should work with local governments, tribal nations, community health organizations, emergency responders (particularly fire response), and community advocates, among others.

Accessibility: Plans must be accessible to community organizations interested in reviewing them. CUB and other advocates recommended to regulators that PGE shorten the documents, lower the reading level and add clickable navigation in the tables of contents.

Transparency: Plans must include significant community engagement—and reflect community input. Regulators have directed PGE to work collaboratively to develop clear, actionable improvements to community engagement.

What’s Next for PGE’s Clean Energy Plan

In one year, PGE will return to the Commission with an updated Clean Energy Plan. This update should implement regulators’ recommendations for how the utility can meet the 100% emissions-reduction law requirements.

CUB will keep pushing for PGE to plan for its future needs while keeping costs low. We will make sure the utility also implements meaningful engagement with Oregon’s communities.

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