[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6313207,"mediaKeyId","2388638-87250674d98e202ead7e05c24b9f7c9b","parentId",2388638,"title","Bill would create Oregon Electric Transmission Authority to speed new high‑voltage lines; supporters point to Western examples","audioSeconds",3988,"startMs",243265,"endMs",4232000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2388638-87250674d98e202ead7e05c24b9f7c9b&start=243&end=4232","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2388638-87250674d98e202ead7e05c24b9f7c9b/thumbnail_243265.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6313207/Oregon/Bill-would-create-Oregon-Electric-Transmission-Authority-to-speed-new-highvoltage-lines-supporters-point-to-Western-examples","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313207-8c04018c93de96853fb87106b5ebdc4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771031608&Signature=adw6SondcBKOBCZXVwCikG2GSqbAPXSLKeExP0s5TyCnbsg~YXonOvDXIpzM7MetsYQAZknHPriUGCkLUltgDUhTGPH0lGgktd86s2vze475GOJMA6e8OjDEbR4r-HuX9KE2~fRvs6KbD3Q-3kJOmxuO3VFENUEz830NNYgU-QiV6K91cQBnVv7G9tKmwzldrX8zJs1vqdGT1sOTBIBNW~~sCgJ-euEV0hxeguHeKc0WUXSjPVDBwdcB8wJ0HU7RJfdAkP1dWLNsHsBjVemUXaoS9HRfePnkAR~Ybvy1CPTBxfkxGTHR0~t2McXFIfZAg0hszs3W5wY7QvRyhz3~og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oregon State Legislature","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","House Bill 3628 would create the Oregon Electric Transmission Authority to coordinate, finance and accelerate high‑voltage transmission projects the text describes as \"of statewide significance,\" according to bill language summarized at a Feb. 25 public hearing before the House Climate, Energy, and Environment Committee.

Representative Mark Gamba (House District 41), sponsor of the bill, told the committee Oregon needs more transmission to connect the generation projects waiting to interconnect and to meet quickly rising electricity demand. \"This is about making sure that when someone turns on the light switch in Springfield, Bend, or Crane, the lights come on now and in the future,\" Gamba said. He described an 80+ gigawatt interconnection backlog and said transmission — not generation — is the current bottleneck for many projects.

Why it matters: Witnesses and members said the Pacific Northwest faces rising demand from data centers and electrification and that building new long transmission lines can take decades. The bill would create an independent public corporation with powers that include issuing revenue bonds, identifying corridors and projects of statewide significance, coordinating with other planning forums, and, under limited circumstances set out in the draft text, exercising eminent domain for specific projects. The measure would require the authority to submit a report on its activities and would sunset the authority on Jan. 2, 2032; the draft also contemplates a transition to repay bondholders from authority revenue rather than state general funds.

Supporters cited other states. Lynn Mostoller, executive director of New Mexico's Renewable Energy Transmission Authority (RETA), described RETA's Western Spirit project — a 155‑mile, 345 kV line that entered commercial operation in 2021 — and said RETA now is codeveloping more than 1,500 miles of high‑voltage line. Varner Seaman of Pattern Energy and other private developers testified that RETA and similar state entities helped leverage private capital and accelerate otherwise stalled projects.

On funding and customer charges: Witnesses said the draft contemplates a nonbypassable transmission charge assessed on large customers (witnesses described those as very large customers with loads over 20 megawatts) rather than on residential ratepayers. Sydney Villanueva, representing the Northwest and Intermountain Power Producers Coalition (NITC), summarized the bill sections and said sections on ownership limits and a provider‑of‑last‑resort process were included to reduce duplication with utility plans.

Concerns and guardrails: Several members asked about eminent domain and local controls. Representative Bobby Levy asked whether the bill grants eminent domain; committee witnesses confirmed the draft provides the authority the same eminent domain power other utilities have but also said such power is seldom used. Representative Malik McKenzie (public commenter) urged stronger tribal representation and enforcement for the bill's tribal advisory council, and raised concerns that an explicit economic‑growth objective could be used to prioritize projects over cultural or environmental values. Representative Osborne pressed whether tribal trust lands would be subject to eminent domain; witnesses said tribal lands present additional legal complexities and that acquiring rights on tribal land would generally require tribal consent.

Finance and legal structure: Randall Edwards, former Oregon state treasurer, and bond counsel explained the bill's bonding provisions were drafted to allow revenue bonds without creating state general‑fund liability; the authority would not be able to issue general obligation bonds or levy taxes. Testimony described transfer or divestiture of assets to utilities after initial development as a likely business model.

Committee process: The hearing drew about 30 registered speakers and a broad set of stakeholders including utilities, renewable developers, transmission contractors, labor and environmental groups. No final committee vote on HB 3628 occurred during the hearing; the chair closed testimony and moved to the next bill.

Ending: Committee members said the bill requires refinement — several witnesses signaled they are drafting labor and tribal amendments — and members asked for additional details about siting, tribal engagement, and the authority's operating model before any final committee action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Committee On Climate, Energy, and Environment 02/25/2025 8:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 3628, introduced Feb. 25, would create an Oregon Electric Transmission Authority to identify statewide transmission corridors, finance high‑voltage projects and coordinate development to accelerate new capacity.","taxTitle","Climate, Energy, and Environment, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Oregon","taxId",17502,"location","Oregon","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6313212,"House committee votes to introduce three legislative concepts as committee bills",37,183775,221000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2388638-87250674d98e202ead7e05c24b9f7c9b&start=183&end=221","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2388638-87250674d98e202ead7e05c24b9f7c9b/thumbnail_183775.jpg","/articles/6313212/Oregon/House-committee-votes-to-introduce-three-legislative-concepts-as-committee-bills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313212-832a659ddf17205bc1c1577f26aed7aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771031608&Signature=Gv70Z8s63cTikrPDAbHyRAFtyGDEIg4sAKuIlAv6I70zlRlWJRZjRyPv8wH4TYAAhUQ-5okoI9zwCsYnkS~lW07QNHeW6AVutvB8KWFiCZEz1QP9ogG6aD3GU9WdLY33ZZyusB9S5aQNFw2x0myEKsX3ZQME-Cb7B2Rzzrn-dEVRX7sl8LQm1Z8F76cqknFEfHCpQM2~wHN9sEO6lz7ZHr-T1lx~eG74aOtovpRUlVpmUqCeGKPgJrDdSe4EyfCkDtvdQDpvcpKIIm0Z90ni3YL6C84aANtd4vNpvmSQfcTHgs68bmFhkJ6hknrDoWPc3MpdVP6C8o-8NbovKy6SRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chair Lively opened a short work session of the House Climate, Energy, and Environment Committee on Feb. 25 to introduce three legislative concepts so the committee could use them later as needed. Vice Chair Grama moved to introduce LC 4570 (dated 01/20/2025), LC 4571 (dated 01/22/2025) and LC 4573 (dated 01/22/2025) as committee bills.

The motion drew brief discussion. Representative Wallen said she intended to vote no on at least some of the concepts, saying she did not think the first and third were necessary. Representative Anderson and several other members responded that the concepts are placeholders and can be changed by the committee later. \"It's not written in stone, so to speak,\" Representative Anderson said during the discussion.

The committee then took a roll call vote. Recorded votes in the transcript show: Representative Anderson — Aye; Representative Helm — Aye; Representative Emerson Levy — Aye; Representative Owens — Aye; Vice Chair Gamba — Aye; Vice Chair Abendy — Aye; Chair Lively — Aye; Representative Osborne — No; Representative Wallen — No. Representatives Edwards, Marsh and Muron were recorded as excused. The chair announced the motion passed.

Because the items were introduced as concepts, committee members repeatedly noted they remain draft placeholders that can be amended during the committee process. The chair closed the work session and proceeded to hearings.

Ending: The committee did not take further substantive action on the concepts at the hearing; the introduced LCs will remain available for use and can be amended in subsequent committee action if sponsors file committee bills.","The House Climate, Energy, and Environment Committee voted to introduce three placeholder legislative concepts (LC 4570, LC 4571, LC 4573) so they will be available as committee bills if needed; the motion passed on a recorded roll call.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6313202,"Bill would require utilities to evaluate grid‑enhancing technologies as near‑term transmission option",1874,4229650,6104000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2388638-87250674d98e202ead7e05c24b9f7c9b&start=4229&end=6104","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2388638-87250674d98e202ead7e05c24b9f7c9b/thumbnail_4229650.jpg","/articles/6313202/Oregon/Bill-would-require-utilities-to-evaluate-gridenhancing-technologies-as-nearterm-transmission-option","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313202-415780554a4706a3a92f786c0705b743/orig.mp4?Expires=1771031608&Signature=WIWVJGi8bXErfCGVUSJkFq-vOlLgVhy65-yVptKREpd8rj6cJN9g0SG~GjmRjwNXbTcewn8GDpB9LL1H6~A3XUJPii9DDE0zTqoSOju7C8weKMYJ0FZGtgwU4yf5WUQdRucljQ9MLA-BN9ybV~1WKBM6vWREh1Jok1hdTQDRzIkxtc4SMf1PIQbvsK8paccxY9WQ3T7AnnwEzJrXKjK24Mv3FG5nFxZnwjxfOxrPi9vTYTkNvl990f0MLARxywbwaklgN1uWS7BMrmuKduNDWW899XTMpIdsT-kVk0VvYyu4ymjJIl0dNkYnFyNrI6ZbmJuCkXP2tu~uRI7KaI3BKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 3336 would require investor‑owned electric companies to analyze the cost effectiveness and timing of grid‑enhancing technologies (GETs) and to file strategic plans with the Oregon Public Utility Commission when GETs are cost effective.

Provisions and rationale: Representative Mark Gamba told the committee GETs — including reconductoring, advanced conductors, dynamic line ratings and power‑flow controls — can expand capacity on existing transmission lines faster and for far less cost than building new high‑voltage lines. \"It's basically like Google Maps for the grid,\" Gamba said, describing topology optimization and power‑flow controls that route power more efficiently. Witnesses testified GETs can increase usable line capacity, reduce curtailment of renewable generation, and help manage wildfire risk by reducing line sag and enabling real‑time monitoring.

Who testified: Witnesses supporting the bill included Joshua Bassifin, Clean Energy Program Director at Climate Solutions; Julia Selker of the Watt Coalition (dynamic line ratings and related technologies); Emily Moore of Sightline Institute; and company and industry representatives from Amazon Web Services, the Technology Association of Oregon and Portland General Electric. Climate Solutions and others highlighted projections of rapid load growth driven by data centers and electrification and argued GETs should be explicitly modeled alongside new transmission and storage in integrated resource plans.

Barriers and committee questions: Witnesses said GETs have not been deployed at scale in Oregon because of technology adoption lags, programmatic incentives for capital investments, and permitting or operational constraints (for instance, reconductoring an existing single‑path line can require outages and careful planning). Representative Helm and others asked whether the bill gives the PUC sufficient enforcement authority; proponents said HB 3336 uses available regulatory processes (IRPs/Clean Energy Plans) to require modeling and planning rather than mandate specific retrofits. Representative Levy raised rate impacts; witnesses said GETs are typically lower cost than new transmission and can reduce long‑term upward pressure on rates if deployed at scale.

Outcome and next steps: The hearing generated broad stakeholder support and technical questions; committee members asked for follow‑up materials on measured cost and reliability impacts. No final committee vote was taken at the hearing.

Ending: Supporters asked the committee to advance HB 3336 so utilities will systematically evaluate GETs as a near‑term, lower‑cost way to increase grid capacity while longer‑lead transmission projects are developed.","House Bill 3336 would require electric companies to analyze and file strategic plans for cost‑effective grid‑enhancing technologies (GETs) such as advanced conductors, dynamic line ratings and topology optimization; supporters say GETs can add capacity quickly and at lower cost than new lines.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill would create Oregon Electric Transmission Authority to speed new high‑voltage lines; supporters point to Western examples

House committee votes to introduce three legislative concepts as committee bills

Bill would require utilities to evaluate grid‑enhancing technologies as near‑term transmission option