More Accomplishments

2022 - Oregon Regulators Stall Pacific Power’s Plans to Finalize Deal on Natrium Nuclear Plant

Pacific Power filed its 2021 Integrated Resource Plan with Oregon regulators in December 2021. The utility’s plan included Natrium, a small modular reactor nuclear plant to be built in an old coal plant in Wyoming. CUB’s analysis found that the Natrium plan involved unreasonable risks and costs for customers. Oregon regulators agreed with our analysis and did not acknowledge the utility’s plan as presented.

Nuclear projects often end up with ballooning costs that far exceed expectations. Pacific Power presented its plan to complete its deal with the company that would build Natrium. CUB’s review found that the plan had little to no information on the costs and possible risks of this untested nuclear technology. This outcome demonstrates CUB’s success in protecting Oregon customers from the costs of reckless utility investments.

2022 - CUB Members Take Action on Pacific Power, NW Natural Rate Increases

As part of our effort to fight double-digit rate increases requested by Pacific Power and NW Natural, CUB organized our members to make a strong showing through both written and oral comments to the Public Utility Commission. Customers spoke about the high energy burdens they face, and expressed concerns at the utilities’ proposals to increase their profit margins and use customer payments to fund executive and employee bonuses.

In all, 271 CUB members submitted written comments and eight CUB members spoke at the public hearings. CUB is grateful to all our members who participated in these campaigns and strengthened our voice in advocating for residential customers.

2022 - CUB Secures Customer Savings, End of Deposits in Portland General Electric Rate Case

CUB won approval from Oregon regulators to end residential deposits for customers of Portland General Electric in its 2022 rate case. Deposits contribute to housing insecurity while doing nothing to improve service.

The company had requested a $59 million rate increase which was whittled down to $10 million. Regulators rejected PGE’s request to use this case to recover costs from its Faraday hydroelectric facility, which would have been highly irregular. Regulators also sided with CUB on equitable cost sharing in repairing the utility’s systems after major storm damage. And CUB won an agreement to track and refund any overpayments from customers that were used to fund the Boardman coal plant after its closure in fall 2020.

2022 - Portland General Electric Launches Interim Income-Qualified Rates Program

CUB’s advocacy was critical in passing 2021’s Energy Affordability Bill. That legislation allowed Oregon regulators to consider household income in setting utility rates. In April 2022, Portland General Electric was the first to roll out an interim version of its income-qualified bill discount program.

Income guidelines match those of the Oregon Energy Assistance Program. The program has three tiers, with those households at the lowest income level (at or below 30% of the Oregon’s median) receiving a 25% bill discount. Other utilities’ interim programs are expected in late 2022 and CUB is working closely with the utilities and other stakeholders on design of the long-term programs to follow.

2022 - CUB Helps Pass REBuilding Task Force bill

CUB worked with a diverse coalition to pass SB 1518 in the 2022 legislative session. This bill created the Resilient Energy Efficient Building (REBuilding) Task Force. The Task Force was assigned to examine building greenhouse gas reduction policies, including building codes, and recommend policies for 2023 to make new and existing buildings more climate friendly. Buildings are the second largest and longest-lasting source of climate pollution in Oregon. More efficient buildings mean lower energy bills now and less pollution for future generations. CUB Executive Director Bob Jenks was appointed to the task force which began meeting regularly in April 2022.

2022 - CUB Helps Pass Emergency Heat Relief for Oregonians

CUB helped pass SB 1536, Emergency Heat Relief for Oregonians, in the 2022 legislative session. SB 1536 makes it easier for renters and low-income households to access cooling technologies, a need that was thrown into sharp relief during the summer 2021 heat wave. The law provides:

$5 million for emergency air conditioners;
• $25 million for high efficiency heating/cooling systems (heat pumps) and targeted home upgrades; and
• $4.5 million for warming and cooling centers.

  SB 1536 requires landlords to provide cooling in new and renovated rental properties and incentivizes installing high-efficiency heating/cooling systems. It provides protections for renters who want to install portable air conditioners. And it directs the Oregon Department of Energy to study converting Oregon’s older rental housing to include cooling technologies.

2022 - CUB Helps Pass Broadband Omnibus bill

CUB helped pass HB 4092, the Oregon Broadband Omnibus package, in the 2022 legislative session. This bill allows Oregon to maximize the $200 million in available federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act and the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act. These programs allocate funding directly to states for rural broadband development.

HB 4092 established a strategic framework for broadband investment. It supports new infrastructure projects, funds libraries providing free internet access, and works to expand bill assistance programs for customers.

2022 - Idaho Power Plans Coal Phase-Outs, New Demand Response, Efficiency Resources in 2022 Integrated Resource Plan

Idaho Power submitted its integrated resource plan outlining long-term resource strategies to regulators in December 2021. CUB’s advocacy helped win proposals by the utility to speed up its planned 2030 exit from all remaining coal resources in its portfolio by two years, to 2028. CUB also helped persuade Idaho Power to plan for additional customer-facing solutions, including 100 MW of new demand response and 12 MW of new energy efficiency resources.

2021 - Savings for Utility Customers

Over the course of 2021, CUB saved Oregon utility customers more than $153,000,000. This brought the total amount of dollars CUB has saved customers since our founding in 1984 to just over $9 billion.

2021 - Savings for Pacific Power Customers in Power Cost Case

CUB helped reduce costs to Pacific Power customers by $3.4 million. Every year, electric utilities forecast their variable power costs and update their rates. CUB opposed Pacific Power’s proposal to change how it forecasts power sales to other utilities and the Public Utility Commission agreed, reducing customer costs. CUB also questioned the economics of Pacific Power’s coal fleet and whether customers are being forced to pay to operate plants that are not cost-effective. Regulators agreed with CUB and ordered Pacific Power to conduct more analysis on its coal plants.

2021 - Savings for Portland General Electric Customers in Power Cost Case

CUB helped save Portland General Electric customers $6.5 million via a settlement in the company’s power cost case. The settlement was based on CUB and other parties’ review of renewable tax credits, wholesale trading, plant operations, and forecast modeling.

2021 - Savings for Idaho Power Customers in Power Cost Case

CUB helped reduce costs to Idaho Power customers by $167,021. CUB raised concerns that Idaho Power was withholding some revenue that should be used to offset rates. We also objected to how the company was forecasting its costs. CUB settled with the utility and the Public Utility Commission to win these customer savings. (Note: Idaho Power serves a small slice of Eastern Oregon. Per customer, this decrease is similar to the savings for Portland General Electric customers listed above.)

2021 - 100% Clean Electricity

CUB’s biggest legislative victory in 2021 was helping pass the 100% Clean Electricity Act (HB 2021). This new law requires the biggest energy utilities to move to 100 percent clean electricity by 2040. To pass this bill, CUB joined the largest and most diverse coalition to have ever supported clean energy legislation in Oregon.

2021 - Bringing Community Organizations to the Table

Communities need a seat at the table to create change that works for everyone. In 2021, more community groups joined the fight for fair utility regulation. CUB lent our experience and knowledge in a number of settings to help community organizations understand and participate in the regulatory process. We worked in coalitions to equitably expand electric vehicle markets. And we joined community groups to determine a just future for natural gas.

2021 - Equitable Energy Rates

In 2021, CUB helped pass the Energy Affordability Act (HB 2475). This landmark law allows regulators to consider equity and income in energy utility rates. Households with lower incomes spend more of their income on utility bills and bill payment assistance programs do not meet the need. HB 2475 makes it possible to reduce the high energy burden of these customers. CUB will continue to help design these new rates and make energy more affordable.

2021 - CUB Wins Extended Utility Shut-Off Pause and Protections for Vulnerable Customers

During the pandemic, CUB worked to keep Oregonians connected to utilities. CUB was instrumental in establishing a pause on utility shut-offs from fall 2020 to summer 2021. We fought to extend the pause, keeping tens of thousands connected. And we won better protections after the pause ended, particularly for customers with certain medical needs and for those most vulnerable to wildfires. CUB also helped secure $45 million in relief funds for customers behind on their bills.

2021 - CUB Advises on Energy Reliability

CUB continued to work to make sure there is always enough energy for customers. Higher temperatures mean higher peaks of energy use. In 2021, CUB advised on a new program that will ensure there is enough energy available during periods of high demand. Coordinated by NW Power Pool, this program will help utilities share resources across the Northwest.

2021 - Bill Assistance for Low-Income Customers

CUB helped increase bill assistance for low-income customers of PGE and Pacific Power. CUB’s advocacy helped pass Oregon HB 2739, increasing funding to the Oregon Energy Assistance Program. This law will raise an additional $20 million between 2022-2024.

2021 - CUB Fights for Customers in 2021/2022 PGE Rate Case

While the case was not yet decided as of this writing, CUB made forceful arguments for customers of Portland General Electric in the company’s rate case. We requested a refund to customers of $90 million for overcharged costs associated with the closed Boardman coal plant. CUB also filed analysis supporting our proposal to eliminate customer deposits. CUB advocated that PGE stop asking customers to pay for retreats for its Board of Directors, who are well compensated. And CUB requested a decrease in the fixed monthly charge billed to households who live in multi-family buildings.

2021 - CUB Wins Investigation into Risks of Natural Gas Service

CUB successfully convinced regulators to investigate the risks natural gas service poses to customers in the transition to a low-carbon economy. Natural gas is a fossil fuel that contributes to climate change. While gas utilities promote renewable natural gas as an alternative, it is unclear whether renewable gas can meet customer needs. And it is unclear whether it will be affordable, particularly compared to the cost of using electric heat pumps to heat and cool homes.

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