The Year in Review: 2020’s Top Stories on the CUB Blog
Posted on December 17, 2020 by Charlotte Shuff
Tags, Energy, General Interest
In this busy year for CUB, it’s great that you and other CUB supporters took the time to read about our work, both here on our blog and via our monthly email news digest. We really appreciate your being with us and hope you are as proud of our blog as we are because information is power.
We rely on the support of readers like you to provide high quality consumer protection information to Oregon utility consumers. Consider supporting our ability to continue to share valuable news for residential utility customers across Oregon by starting or renewing your membership.
Today, let’s look back at the top stories of 2020 as chosen by our readers:
Oregon Utility Service Shut-Off Moratorium: More Safeguards Needed (June 8, 2020)
At the start of the pandemic, CUB called for consumer protections beyond a voluntary shut-off moratorium. This fall, CUB helped secure increased protections for residential utility customers, including a mandatory freeze on energy shut-offs through at least April 2021.
2020 Boardman Closure Concludes National Precedent Setting Story (January 21, 2020)
Boardman, Oregon’s only coal plant, closed this year after over a decade of work from CUB and other groups. This closure marks the first time a utility agreed to close a modern coal plant in the U.S. The trend continues with PacifiCorp closing their Cholla 4 coal plant this month and anticipating additional closures.
CUB to Oregon Legislature: Pass Carbon Bill, SB 1530 (February 6, 2020)
During the regular legislative session of 2020, CUB advocated for the passage of a cap-trade-and-invest bill to reduce carbon emissions. A walkout by legislator opponents failed that bill. Shortly thereafter, Governor Kate Brown responded by issuing her Executive Order on Climate Action (EO 20-04). This is a strong order that builds on the work of CUB and other stakeholders to ensure that Oregon meets scientifically based goals to address climate change. The order directs all state agencies to take actions to advance economy wide decarbonization. CUB is a vital player in EO 20-04 implementation, particularly in our work with the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
CUB Gains Seat on the Western Energy Imbalance Market Regional Issues Forum (December 11, 2020)
Earlier this year, CUB Economist, Will Gehrke, was elected to serve as a Consumer Advocate Representative on the Regional Issues Forum with the Western Energy Imbalance Market (EIM). The Western EIM is the first real-time energy market in the Western United States, enhancing the reliability of the electricity system and generating cost savings for Oregonians and western utility customers.
In 2020, other CUB staff also took seats on important committees and councils. This winter, our Executive Director, Bob Jenks, was appointed to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Program Rulemaking Advisory Committee convened by DEQ. CUB’s General Counsel, Mike Goetz, served on the Clean Fuels Program Rulemaking Advisory Committee convened by DEQ.
Settlement Reached in NW Natural’s General Rate Case (August 11, 2020)
NW Natural Gas, Oregon’s largest natural gas company, sought an 11.5 percent rate increase in 2020. After much negotiation and CUB pushback, the company agreed to a 7.37 percent increase, saving customers nearly $25.6 million. New rates went into effect for customers on November 1, 2020.
Each year, thousands of readers trust CUB to provide the latest info on utility regulation, consumer protections and tips, and advocacy work for residential customers of utility services. This year, we almost doubled our readership. More people than ever trust CUB as both an advocate and a source of information.
Each update to the CUB Blog requires time and resources to prepare but we want you, our readers, to have access to this important information. We rely on the support of readers like you to continue to be a leading source for residential utility customer news. If you have read any of our news digest emails or visited our blog this year, please consider becoming a member for as little as $5.
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12/17/20 | 0 Comments | The Year in Review: 2020’s Top Stories on the CUB Blog