CUB Conference Preview: Utility Projects to Mitigate Greenhouse Gas Emissions

As you know, CUB is gearing up for its fourth annual policy conference, Changing Climate: Adapting to New Regulations. I’m excited to be moderating the first of the afternoon break-out panels, SB 844: Utility Projects to Mitigate Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Senate Bill 844 was sponsored by Senator Lee Beyer (D-Springfield) and Representatives Jules Bailey (D-Portland) and Tobias Read (D-Beaverton) in the 2013 Oregon legislative session. In a nutshell, the bill directs the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) to establish a voluntary emission reduction program to encourage natural gas utilities to invest in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and also provide benefits to the customers of those natural gas utilities. The term “emission” is defined to mean “any anthropogenic gas” which includes carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride.

As implementation of SB 844 is starting at the OPUC level, CUB is part of groups that are exploring lots of questions: what projects should be prioritized? What ideas are gaining traction? How should benefits and reductions be measured?

Joining me to answer some of these questions, and more, are:

• Dr. Phillip H. Carver: Dr. Carver is currently a Senior Policy Analyst at the Oregon Department of Energy. He has a long history of working on issues related to energy efficiency and renewables in Oregon. Dr. Carver has worked extensively with both the Oregon Department of Energy and the Oregon Public Utility Commission.
• Bill Edmonds: Mr. Edmonds is the Director of Environmental Policy and Sustainability at NW Natural. He has extensive utility-side experience, and has worked on creating and implementing environmental policies in areas such as climate change and renewable energy resources.
• Ann Gravatt: Ms. Gravatt is currently the Oregon Director at Climate Solutions. She has more than a decade of energy experience, including working as a consultant, policy advocate, and attorney.
• Jason R. Salmi Klotz: Mr. Salmi Klotz is currently the Climate Change Lead at the Oregon Public Utility Commission. He brings experience from several organizations in areas such as wholesale market development, demand side management, facilities siting and greenhouse gas regulation.

As you can see, we’ve got a great group of speakers lined up to talk to us about the implementation of SB 844. I hope you’re as excited as I am to learn something from these great panelists. As with previous years, we’re confident that the conference will sell out, so be sure to register as soon as possible at cubpolicycenter.org/conference and stay tuned for more updates in the coming weeks!

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