Status (overview) of bill:https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Measures/Overview/SB1509
Free Markets: The increased consumer rates authorised by this bill will be used to assist the introduction of new, more expensive renewable energy sources as viable market resources. Since the current technoledgy for renewables is currently far to expensive to compete, this bill is intended fo force rate-payers to make them seem more cost-effective.
Fiscal Responsibility: The limitations on amounts “not less than” and “not more than” are percentages of an electric company’s “annual revenue requirement”. The percentages are currently blanks to be filled in at a later time.
Limited Government: This bill makes huge changes to ORS 757.612 that essentially replace legislative oversight with giving the Public Utility Commission authority to increase “by rule or by order” consumer electricity rates to pay for an agenda of cost-effective energy efficiency measures, ‘market transformation’ measures, new renewable energy resources and low income weatherization. The purpose given is to require costs of funding these measures be born equally by all ‘customer classes’ served by the electric companies.
Agreed. Rate payers would essentially be taxed without recourse. It makes the electric companies a part of the beaurocracy. The majority party has introduced several bills this session that use the same tactic.