[{"_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",6073101,"mediaKeyId","2997358-bcb733b513aa92799815b93bbe9afb46","parentId",2997358,"title","PUC staff outlines regulatory roles, wildfire duties and clean-energy obligations","audioSeconds",2484,"startMs",1363760,"endMs",3847910,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2997358-bcb733b513aa92799815b93bbe9afb46&start=1363&end=3847","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2997358-bcb733b513aa92799815b93bbe9afb46/thumbnail_1363760.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6073101/Oregon/PUC-staff-outlines-regulatory-roles-wildfire-duties-and-clean-energy-obligations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073101-edee004eda179f74c51917a7dc7ebf05/orig.mp4?Expires=1770894560&Signature=Y4R2prjuJtLfhiSJwkR2lH1~pIi2fctTmTMfMLCI-s1hdQYB-EjBnsE8gJful2aoaiafDuvrxy9WqNrMZESdVX~TNqGl23GE73PK2Cy6QTH8jiJwnzd3KgZ1wBkGzY2iFqtD2C-WS0D1TcLGGXameB-6-QpmxMEBGCUQiXGnNY8mDj99sTe4-JsqXvA8Qk-bGb1qBgKFgTRuVqedQrGjS3RVafqVQIkumw7korlsHDqjE3P-97ouK3vla7PdqxCq6kX8mQCc6pBL5FnyiW4avYBuoLfJJuJzrK6KcPVjBuuIAJspXk26LCvMiP9~ptMzxWsRm4Z20lv0bDdbj5kFlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oregon State Legislature","date","2025-04-15T00:00:00Z","article","Oregon Public Utility Commission staff gave an informational presentation describing the agency's core authorities, its oversight of investor-owned utilities, growing wildfire-related responsibilities, and work to implement the state's clean-energy law, House Bill 2021.

The briefing matters because the PUC sets rates and rules for monopoly utilities and plays a direct role in wildfire mitigation and electricity-sector decarbonization. Committee members used the session to ask how the PUC monitors utilities, enforces timelines in clean-energy plans, and will handle rising wildfire-related costs.

Laura Taber, legislative affairs director for the PUC, gave the overview: \"The Oregon Public Utility Commission is the economic regulator of the investor owned utilities in Oregon. That includes electric utilities, natural gas utilities, and some telecom and small water companies.\" She said the commission has \"three full time commissioners\" and summarized the agency's work in rate setting, planning and program rules.

Taber described three decision types: contested cases (for example, general rate cases that proceed like a trial and can take about a year), rulemakings (staff-led with an extended informal stakeholder period followed by formal proceedings), and non-contested planning decisions such as integrated resource plans. She said agency staff include accountants, economists, engineers and administrative law judges who manage contested-case dockets.

Taber and Nolan Moser (executive office) told the committee the safety division has direct authority over overhead utility assets and a fast-growing portfolio of wildfire mitigation responsibilities. \"Wildfire and safety is the fastest growing part of our agency,\" Taber said, and the PUC's review of mitigation plans and inspections has contributed to recent rate increases because utilities are making significant wildfire-related investments.

On implementation of House Bill 2021, Taber said the PUC is focused on ensuring utilities make continual progress toward the law's targets and that the agency is using available procurement tools such as ordering requests for proposals. She also described a pending contested-case appeal by Pacific Power of a PUC decision in which the commission interpreted its authority under HB 2021; the appeal is at the Court of Appeals stage.

Committee members pressed on enforcement and process. Vice Chair Gamba asked whether the agency has processes to \"sanity check\" utility presentations; Taber said the PUC and staff are designed to be skeptical and test utilities' proposals, and that third-party ownership and competitive procurement are options the commission can promote. She told the committee the agency will undertake a wholesale review of procedural rules (rulemaking AR641) and will explicitly examine a committee amendment's goals about clearer findings of fact and statements of reasons.

Taber said the PUC will prioritize taking up those procedural issues in AR641 and that staff and ALJs have already begun conversations with stakeholders who previously worked on related legislation. She added the agency intends to use the authority it has to advance procurement and compliance under HB 2021 to the extent permitted by recent commission decisions.

The committee used the informational session to explore specific topics, including transmission capacity, procurement choices (owned assets vs. power purchase agreements), and whether the PUC has tools to lower the cost of the clean-energy transition while managing wildfire spending. Taber identified microgrids and more competitive procurement as potential levers.

The informational session concluded with committee thanks; no committee action was taken.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Committee On Climate, Energy, and Environment 04/15/2025 8:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Oregon Public Utility Commission staff briefed the Climate, Energy and Environment Committee on the agency's regulation of investor-owned utilities, wildfire mitigation responsibilities, and implementation of House Bill 2021.","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},6073104,"Committee hears bill to phase out firefighting foam containing PFAS; senators debate trade-offs",1031,324470,1356050,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2997358-bcb733b513aa92799815b93bbe9afb46&start=324&end=1356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2997358-bcb733b513aa92799815b93bbe9afb46/thumbnail_324470.jpg","/articles/6073104/Oregon/Committee-hears-bill-to-phase-out-firefighting-foam-containing-PFAS-senators-debate-trade-offs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073104-1855abbb31c6fe9f9971b061521004be/orig.mp4?Expires=1770894560&Signature=dCA1U0Spe~rg~GahWwqu26LHTGjWBKhtrjwjHF8TZR68FKHJVAU45ZgPPRQyYI51Y-ZTrSUdAl1ffsDGJoHC0ST8tsoiZJtFGcSFqywJAEWB-XDZ7yyU0w-lLuFEmW75ac9f-YUz2Wo9d6ZBfeCODsj4KsSiZshCDM6op2oYSacWgTwPxmCztHEnewjgQhEOrCdRl3H~-saITx9d1bTrDCh8WTf3WYqFu4U3qdtXlxfkx-b0uHLvfWYzGBK9iZ2xL35N1Ks3efFXisbW7h8mwB6euY8b4MdKXFEi-LDhvawK-JQB9EWPORGBac2OO9v8be1rB~yqOIG1kTTBEOJqyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 91A would prohibit fire departments from using firefighting foam that contains PFAS chemicals and require that existing stock be replaced with PFAS-free alternatives once used up.

Supporters told the Climate, Energy and Environment Committee the ban is achievable, would protect first responders, and follows a national trend of states restricting PFAS-containing firefighting foams. Opponents cautioned that a categorical ban on a broad chemical class could limit future development of useful firefighting products and that some science remains contested.

Senator Janine Solman, sponsor of the measure, said the bill \"will phase out the use of firefighting foam containing PFOS in Oregon.\" She described PFOS as \"a class of chemicals that are extremely harmful to both the environment and to human bodies,\" and cited links to cancer, high cholesterol, reproductive and thyroid problems, and immune suppression. Solman said the bill allows existing inventories of PFAS-containing foam to be used up and that firefighters who helped set the phase-out date estimated current stock would be exhausted by July 2026.

Senator Robinson testified in opposition. \"My first opinion of [the bill] was it is sort of unnecessary because if the firefighters are phasing out anyway, why do we have to tell them to do that?\" Robinson said. He also warned that banning an entire chemical class could prevent useful future innovations: \"If you ban the whole class because we're worried about it from ever being in firefighting foam, where will we be on because who knows? Maybe we'll want an even better foam than we have today.\"

Vice Chair Levy asked a technical question about whether any PFOS compounds are safe. Robinson, who described himself as a chemist, responded that many fluorinated compounds are widely used and that safety depends on specific chemicals and the evidence: \"There's lots of fluorinated compounds that are perfectly safe. We put fluoride in the drinking water.\" He added that establishing causality in epidemiology requires careful study.

Senator Solman said the bill was developed in consultation with firefighters and advocates and cited real-world alternatives and manufacturer exchange programs that allow departments to swap PFAS-containing foam for PFAS-free products. Solman said she had conducted ride-alongs with local stations and that several stations, including in Forest Grove, already do not use PFAS-containing foam.

Committee members asked for more data and implementation details. Representative Edwards asked whether Forest Grove reported problems after switching; Solman said she was not aware of reported problems and that some manufacturers offer exchange programs. Representative Graber and others discussed firefighter cancer risks and the evolving science; Solman emphasized the bill is intended \"in partnership for our first responder heroes\" and not as a punishment for departments.

The committee did not take a final vote during the hearing. Chair Lively closed the hearing and moved to the next agenda item.","Senate Bill 91A would prohibit fire departments from using firefighting foam that contains PFAS chemicals and require that existing stock be replaced with PFAS-free alternatives once used up.",{"_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},6073109,"Committee hears bill to end PUC reporting on long-closed solar incentive pilot",256,66190,323090,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2997358-bcb733b513aa92799815b93bbe9afb46&start=66&end=323","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2997358-bcb733b513aa92799815b93bbe9afb46/thumbnail_66190.jpg","/articles/6073109/Oregon/Committee-hears-bill-to-end-PUC-reporting-on-long-closed-solar-incentive-pilot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073109-3281b514f0b131b10bfc95785180076e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770894560&Signature=HIa7jscMHAXZenPWz83zPV45p6BpdA-T8uvvNdQqSMbcl86YKKvKVT97LAB5586ireiSVBax4WbOXDWm7PqKhqWvU63LcuLWut8PJMeXgNyWsniEI0DDXXfBgmOi5kKNQ~YP~xyRlKw1bzLd928ZOGfXip62GqvA4rBX5T0Ayf3isMFbwQtqfBhVQU9NEBHR0lqQ6LV70NoM9gCaDCsqHaeElBfZYvLk-mcKUDEzmDv4NpTpEgfrMBeFTDZ6VZsvxy2N--KGYO5bZfz4lhvx58WmBXZ7ZnXr65S-9rtMXsPAJjq8OuMDPfFMyLgXDaznIoRB8Ap-5SCsnU0CvZNYOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 843 would remove a statutory requirement that the Oregon Public Utility Commission file further reports on a 2009 pilot program for volumetric incentive payments for solar photovoltaic systems.

The bill matters because the pilot was capped and closed years ago, and the PUC told lawmakers the reporting mandate no longer produces useful information and duplicates newer solar-support policies.

Laura Taber, legislative affairs director for the Oregon Public Utility Commission, told the committee the pilot was established by the Legislature in 2009 and required biennial reports. \"These incentive rates are production based incentives in which participants receive payments based on the output generated from the subscribed solar PV systems minus their own consumption,\" Taber said. She described the pilot's initial cap and eligibility limits: the program was initially capped at 25 megawatts and limited to systems under 500 kilowatts, and the Legislature later raised the cap to 27.5 megawatts.

Taber said the program closed ahead of its statutory deadline when the full program capacity was reserved prior to March 31, 2016. She told the committee the PUC continues to be required by statute to estimate the pilot's cost to retail customers, evaluate the relative effectiveness of volumetric payments compared with state tax credits and Energy Trust of Oregon incentives, and estimate the resource value of solar energy. Under SB 843, those continued reporting requirements would be eliminated.

Taber said the agency supports the bill because \"the program has effectively ended, is fully subscribed and has been for some time.\" She added that, since the pilot was created, the Legislature and state agencies have enacted other solar support policies that the PUC now implements.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about whether the pilot produced useful lessons. Taber said she had been with the PUC only about two-and-a-half weeks and could not speak to internal agency conclusions reached when the program closed in 2016, but her impression was \"there are other more effective ways to incentivize solar than this particular program.\" Representative Anderson followed up, describing the exchange as an example of legislative oversight of the PUC.

The committee did not take a vote during the public hearing. Chair Lively closed the SB 843 hearing and opened the next item on the agenda.

Votes at this meeting: none recorded for SB 843; the item was a public hearing only.","Senate Bill 843 would remove a statutory requirement that the Oregon Public Utility Commission file further reports on a 2009 pilot program for volumetric incentive payments for solar photovoltaic systems.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

PUC staff outlines regulatory roles, wildfire duties and clean-energy obligations

Committee hears bill to phase out firefighting foam containing PFAS; senators debate trade-offs

Committee hears bill to end PUC reporting on long-closed solar incentive pilot