rp_0403_7.html
OREGON
Oregon's clean energy, weatherization funds under attack
Oregon's Fair and Clean Energy Coalition (FCEC) is resisting a legislative raid on energy efficiency, low-income weatherization and renewable energy funds.
The state's 1999 electricity restructuring bill – SB 1149 – required PacifiCorp, Portland General Electric and other utilities opting into customer choice to annually invest 3 percent of revenues in a public purposes fund for 10 years. Opponents have proposed redirecting the funds into the general fund and eliminating the public purpose charge on Jan. 1, 2005, unless at least 20 percent of eligible customers elect to pursue direct access by then – unlikely given electricity market volatility.
State Reps. Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose) and Rob Patridge (R-Medford) are the chief sponsors of a proposal to eliminate the 3-percent standard. And Reps. Mary Gallegos (R-Cornelius) and Tom Butler (R-Ontario) have co-sponsored legislation to redirect public-purposes receipts into the state's general fund through December 2007, then eliminate the program.
"Oregon has one of the most progressive public purpose policies in the country," said FCEC's Jeff Bissonnette. "The Legislature should be examining how to protect that policy, not undo it."
MONTANA
Montana: Renewables up, consumer safety down
Though Montana's Legislature balked at a Renewable Portfolio Standard this session, lawmakers have been friendlier toward other bills promoting renewable energy and efficiency.
The Legislature has urged Congress to extend the federal wind energy production tax credit, and has extended Montana's Universal System Benefits program – a fund crucial to continued investments in renewables and efficiency – through 2005. Also, the state's largest utility will be required to offer a renewable energy product certified as environmentally preferred.
But this year's session has put consumer and clean-air protections at risk. Bills approved for floor action in both houses include:
- HB 304, which offers a 67-percent reduction in the coal severance tax for coal-fired power plants to be built between 2008 and 2012.
- SB 138, which takes away the property tax exemption for renewable energy systems of 1 megawatt or greater and removes people's option of carrying forward a $500 tax credit for energy conservation work.
- SB 247, which "pre-approves" NorthWestern Energy's electricity supply contracts, thus shifting the risks to its customers.
Meanwhile, HB 509, which would make NorthWestern the exclusive residential energy supplier in central and western Montana for the next 24 years, awaits final Senate approval.
WASHINGTON
Energy portfolio bill raises level of debate
Washington state lawmakers have been preoccupied with a severe budget deficit, transportation issues and a slew of environmental rollback/regulatory reform proposals.
Energy, for the most part, has been on the back burner. But Rep. Zack Hudgins (D-Tukwila) raised the level of legislative debate by championing an energy portfolio standard. HB 1544 called on electric utilities to gradually increase the levels of energy efficiency and renewable energy in their resource mix.
Supporting the bill was a mix of clean-energy businesses, public-interest organizations, labor groups, agricultural interests and other citizens. Opponents included small utilities exempt from meeting the standards, Avista Utilities, the Association of Washington Business and the Industrial Customers of Northwest Utilities.
With active support from Chairman Jeff Morris (D-Anacortes), the House Technology, Telecommunications and Energy Committee passed a substitute bill. The substitute bill failed to advance from its next stop, the Appropriations Committee, but remains alive for the 2004 session.
Quote of the Month
“ We acknowledge the uncertainty in the data, but the data is leading us to believe that the fish are better off in the river at this time. ”
— Jim Ruff of NOAA Fisheries, explaining to Columbia River basin power managers why it's better to spill water over their dams this spring rather than barge migrating salmon smolts downstream.