More Accomplishments
- 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.
- 2021 - 2021 CUB Conference Spotlights Reliability
CUB hosted our 11th annual conference online on October 15, 2021. The program focused on reliability and resilience of Pacific Northwest energy systems in the face of both a changing policy climate and planetary climate crisis. Panelists included representatives from most of Oregon’s major energy utilities as well as regulatory agencies, community organizations and advocates, law firms, and more.
- 2021 - Portland General Electric Exits Another Coal Plant
In 2021, CUB’s advocacy won another milestone in the project of removing coal from Oregon’s energy mix. Portland General Electric agreed to finish paying off its share of the Colstrip coal plant by 2025 and to advocate for closing the plant that year. The shorter timeline should save PGE customers millions in expensive new coal contracts and labor costs. This will also stop the economic risk inherent in coal plants.
- 2021 - Investing in Electric Vehicles
In 2021, CUB pushed to make electric transportation more accessible for all Oregonians. In fall of 2021, regulators looked at changing how utilities plan for electric vehicles. Our goal is to make sure this planning centers on community needs. CUB focused on supporting renters, multifamily housing, and small businesses. Regulators will release a new planning framework by the end of 2021. We expect this framework to include many CUB recommendations. CUB also advised the Department of Environmental Quality on its new Clean Fuels Program.
- 2020 - Executive Order 20-04 on Climate Action
After an opposition walkout blocked cap and trade legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Governor Kate Brown issued 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). EO 20-04, with initial implementation suggestions from CUB, sets the stage for the PUC to support investments in transportation electrification and energy efficiency, and establish a process to address energy burdens, affordability, and environmental justice.
The DEQ was also charged with developing a Cap and Reduce program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and, in November 2020, CUB’s executive director was appointed to this program’s rulemaking advisory committee. The importance of the Executive Order on Climate Action meant it was a priority topic at CUB’s 2020 Energy Policy Conference, with a panel discussion featuring the heads of DEQ, Oregon Department of Energy, and the PUC.
- 2020 - Governor Kate Brown Gives Welcome Remarks as CUB Celebrates 10th Anniversary Energy Policy Conference
CUB’s 10th Annual Energy Policy Conference, Finding Hope: Improving Our Energy Systems in the Age of COVID-19, went online in 2020. It was truly a star-studded event, featuring energy experts and leaders from the Pacific Northwest and beyond. We were honored to welcome Oregon Governor Kate Brown, who delivered the conference’s opening remarks. She praised CUB’s work on decarbonization and our long consumer protection track record. The Governor called on the utilities, regulators, and advocates in the audience to get to work on building more equitable energy systems that help achieve the goals in her Executive Order on Climate Action. In a year of challenges due to COVID-19 and devastating wildfires, CUB’s Executive Director Bob Jenks identified signs of hope in his opening remarks. Conference conversations took on the challenges of 2020 but moved forward with vibrant discussions of potential energy and utility policy improvements.
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