Update: HB 2475 passed the House 36-20 and will now be considered by the Senate.
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HB 2475 is sponsored by Democrat Karin Power (HD-41)
Oregon House Bill 2475 may soon force on public utilities another set of social criteria to consider when setting energy price rates.
The bill reportedly will:
Authorize Public Utility Commission to consider differential energy burden and other inequities of affordability in rates. It would authorize public utilities to enter into agreements to provide financial assistance for organizations to represent in regulatory proceedings before commission interests of low-income residential customers and residential customers that are members of environmental justice communities.
What exactly is an “environmental justice community”?
Language in the bill defines it as follows:
“Environmental justice communities” includes communities of color, communities experiencing lower incomes, tribal communities, rural communities, coastal communities, communities with limited infrastructure and other communities traditionally underrepresented in public processes and adversely harmed by environmental and health hazards, including but not limited to seniors, youth and persons with disabilities.
Government meddling in the power market in such a way might not have the most desirable results, however. It may likely be in the best interests of utilities to avoid focusing on particular groups, so defined, perhaps unless such group comprises the entirety of a service area.
–Bruce Armstrong
Originally posted in the Northwest Observer, Feb 1, 2021
Date: 2021-02-02 08:52