Utilities Delay Clean Energy Plans
Posted on April 26, 2023 by Kate Ayres
Tags, Energy
CUB and other community advocates are more than ready to see our electric utilities’ first Clean Energy Plans. While advocates have been highly involved in creating these plans, utilities have delayed the process. CUB is concerned that these delays will harm community input and meeting climate goals.
Oregon passed the 100% Clean Electricity Bill in 2021. Now, Pacific Power and Portland General Electric (PGE) must run on 100% clean, emission-free electricity by 2040. The Clean Energy Plans will show how utilities will reach these goals without burning fossil fuels.
Clean Energy Plans Delayed by Electric Utilities
State utility regulators at the Public Utility Commission directed both Pacific Power and PGE to file their long-term resource plans by January 31, 2023. Clean Energy Plans will be filed alongside these plans for the first time this year. This is the first step in seeing what the electric utilities’ plans were to meet clean electricity goals.
The two utilities asked to extend the deadline to March 31. Both companies said that the extension would provide sufficient time. And yet, at the end of March, Pacific Power filed another request for an extension to further delay its Clean Energy Plan.
CUB and others expressed concerns to regulators about Pacific Power’s second delay request. The request was filed a mere 11 days prior to the deadline.
Last Minute Delays Impact Community Input
CUB sees this last-minute request from Pacific Power as troubling. We understand that complying with new legislation can add extra steps and time to gather correct information and models. However, delays do not only harm our ability to track progress toward clean energy. They also put an added burden on the community advocates who are vital to moving Oregon to a just energy transition.
Pacific Power did not connect with stakeholders before requesting this extension. Many advocates represent diverse groups of Oregon communities with limited resources. Groups that represent historically underrepresented communities cannot always dedicate extra staff to work on these proceedings. A last-minute change in the timeline can impact their availability or ability to bring community perspectives into these important decisions.
In the future, CUB is hopeful that Pacific Power will connect with advocates early on in Clean Energy Plan matters. Oregonians deserve a fair say in the development of these Clean Energy Plans.
Delays May Impact Meeting Clean Energy Deadlines
Oregon has committed to phase out coal power and cut electricity greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2030. Electric utilities must also cut emissions by 100% by 2040. While these deadlines may seem like a long time, these huge reductions in emissions are a massive undertaking.
Phasing Out Coal is on Track
CUB expects the utilities to be on track to meet this first goal by removing coal. PGE has closed and demolished Boardman, Oregon’s last coal plant. Pacific Power has stopped burning coal at Naughton 3 and will stop burning coal at its Jim Bridger coal plant this year.
Getting Pacific Power out of the other coal plants is harder because those plants serve multiple utilities and states. CUB has been working to create incentives for other states to agree to close the plants rather than simply pick up our share. This process has been slower than we’d like, but Oregon will no longer be served by coal by 2030. It’s the law.
Concerns for Meeting Emission Reduction Goals
At CUB, we’re concerned about the utilities meeting goals for reducing emissions. The Clean Energy Plans ensure that our electric utilities are moving swiftly towards 100% clean electricity by 2040. If these plans continue to see delays, CUB is concerned about the utilities’ ability to meet the 2040 goal.
We understand that this first plan filing is new and requires new information for the utilities. It also requires a deeper evaluation from advocates. These steps are vital to understanding if the plans are equitable and reasonably move us towards a clean energy future.
Lowering Impacts to Customers
CUB is also worried about how utilities can do this in a way that minimizes the impact on customers.
It is critical that electric utilities have realistic plans that consider customer impacts. These plans must be cost-effective for customers and meet clean energy goals. CUB understands that there will be some added costs to customers. But these are necessary steps in transitioning to clean energy. CUB works hard to make sure they are not large increases.
We are advocating for realistic and cost-effective planning, while still holding utilities’ feet to the fire. CUB will also remain connected with community advocates to ensure new perspectives are represented in discussions and that justice issues are front and center.
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04/26/23 | 0 Comments | Utilities Delay Clean Energy Plans