2007

The Transformer - January 22, 2007

Shedding some light on solar costs

The Transformer - November 28, 2007

Decoupling is a deceptively simple concept: “decouple” a utility’s bottom line from the amount of energy it sells through periodic rate adjustments – upward to make up for losses from reduced sales, or downward to reflect any “windfall” revenues from higher-than-expected sales. This issue of The Transformer looks more closely at decoupling, its pros and cons, the barriers to its widespread adoption, and recent progress toward inclusion of decoupling mechanisms in Northwest utilities’ rate cases...

The Transformer: Update - November 19, 2007

A recent Transformer (“PacifiCorp’s Dilemma,” Oct. 29, 2007) described multi-state utility PacifiCorp’s proposed integrated resource plan (IRP) and detailed clean-energy advocates’ critique of the plan’s call for two new coal-fired power plants. Now, Oregon Public Utility Commission staff have released their “Initial Comments and Recommendations” on the IRP..

The Transformer - October 29, 2007

This issue of The Transformer considers the saga of PacifiCorp’s fossil-fuel-heavy integrated resource plan which proposes more new coal and other fossil-fuel generation than any other investor-owned utility in the Northwest.

The Transformer - August 20, 2007

The Regional Dialogue sets the framework for power sales contracts between BPA and its consumer-owned utility customers, and establishes a formula for allocating BPA power among those utilities. Now, the utilities will have to decide for themselves how to meet additional power needs beyond that allocation.

The Transformer - June 25, 2007

Power Council-BPA study shows feasibility of integrating wind in the Northwest - As more and more wind projects sprout up across the region, planners wonder how much wind the power system can reliably and economically incorporate into the electricity system...

The Transformer - June 19, 2007

Study shows region outpacing conservation goal - This edition presents the study’s findings and relays a question from the Council: Should the 5th Northwest Power and Conservation Plan be amended to reflect a significantly larger pool of cost-effective energy efficiency opportunities?

The Transformer - May 24, 2007

Replacing the power from the Lower Snake dams - Revenue Stream graphically demonstrates that dam removal will reduce costs to the region…to the tune of billions of dollars.

The Transformer - February 7, 2007

Oregon regulators say 'No' to PacifiCorp coal plants

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