Oregon

Summary: Oregon has two separate interconnection standards: one for its investor-owned utilities (Portland General Electric [PGE] and PacifiCorp) and one for municipal utilities and electric cooperatives. Only the rules for PGE and PacifiCorp explicitly list CHP technologies as qualified for interconnection. These rules were adopted in 2007 and delineate standards for systems up to 2MW in size for businesses, and 25 kW for all residential customers. The PGE and PacifiCorp standard delineates multiple levels, or tiers, of interconnection. Systems that are appropriately vetted and 25 kW or smaller can be interconnected under the first level without fee. The second and third levels of interconnection are generally correlated with greater degrees of scrutiny, possible application fees and longer application and approval processes.

Links:

• The rulemaking for Order No. 07-319 can be seen in its entirety here: Rules
• Oregon Revised Statute Chapter 757, which authorized the Oregon PUC to adopt the new interconnection standards, can be viewed here: Statute
• For more on Oregon’s regulations, check out the DSIRE database.

Contact:

Lisa Schwartz
550 Capitol St NE #215
PO Box 2148
Salem, OR 97308-2148 
Lisa.C.Schwartz@state.or.us
(503) 378-8718

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Description: In place since December 1, 2007, Oregon’s Business Energy Tax Credit allows for a range of credits taken over the course of five years. CHP is specifically included in this tax credit program, provided a system meets minimum efficiency specifications. Multiple tiers of the credit are available based exclusively upon system efficiency, with the top tier – the 50% tax credit – available to systems that yield annual average energy savings of at least 20%.

Links:

• The tax credit’s administrative rules can be found here (PDF).
• The program’s technical requirements for each tier of tax credit can be found here (PDF).
• A brochure with additional information and contact information can be found here (PDF).
• The DSIRE database offers information about the tax credit’s enabling legislation

Contact:
Suzanne Dillard
Oregon Department of Energy
625 Marion Street, N.E.
Salem, OR 97301-3737
Phone: (503) 373-7565
Fax: (503) 373-7806
E-Mail: Suzanne.C.Dillard@state.or.us
Web site: http://www.energy.state.or.us

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Description: The Oregon Small-Scale Energy Loan Program (SELP), created in 1981, is administered by the Oregon Department of Energy. The program offers low-interest loans for several projects, including ones that generally save energy or produce energy from waste heat. Loans are available to individuals, businesses, schools, non-profits, and public entities. Though there is no legal maximum loan, the size of loans generally ranges from $20,000 to $20 million. Terms vary, but are generally set to match the term of the bonds that funded the loans. Loan terms may not exceed project life.

Links:

• Authority 1: Oregon Administrative Rules 330-110-0005 et seq.
• Authority 2: Oregon Revised Statutes § 470.050 et seq.
• The DSIRE database offers information about the tax credit’s enabling legislation

Contact:
Kathy Estes
Oregon Department of Energy
625 Marion Street, N.E.
Salem, OR 97301-3737
Phone: (503) 378-5048
Fax: (503) 373-7806
E-Mail: kathy.estes@state.or.us
Website: http://egov.oregon.gov/ENERGY/

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Summary: PacifiCorp’s Schedule 47 is applicable to CHP systems over 1000kW. Those under 1000kW are subject simply to the regular rate applicable to the particular facility. For those customers under Schedule 47, a small reservation charge is assessed every month, and demand makes up a moderate amount of the usage charge, leaving it somewhat neutral to CHP. PGE has not delineated a specific standby rate for CHP, but customers wishing to contract for standby service generally do so under regular tariffs. PGE has typically charged rates with moderate demand components as well. Their policy is also seen as neutral to CHP.

Links:

• PacifiCorp’s Schedule 47 is available here: Tariff
• Portland General Electric Company’s policies pertaining to standby rates can be viewed here:  Rates
• More information about best practices in utility rate design can be found on the EPA’s CHP Partnership website.

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Summary: This rule delineates specific siting standards for a variety of energy facilities, including categories that specifically include CHP. In all cases, the rules explicitly detail the need to quantify carbon dioxide emissions on a net basis. Such a basis may, then, consider thermal output as a net negative carbon dioxide emitter, since the thermal energy is being created using no additional energy. The standards specifically limit carbon dioxide emissions from these energy facilities to .675 pounds of carbon dioxide per net kWh of electric output.

Links:

• Chapter 345, Division 24, can be read in its entirety here: Rules

Contact:

Information Specialist
625 Marion Street, N.E
Salem, OR 97301-3737 
(503) 378-4040
(503) 373-7806

Last Updated 08/27/2009

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