Bill > HB3247

This bill introduces new regulations for electric companies regarding the retirement of power generating facilities in Oregon. The bill defines two key terms: "dispatchable electricity" as power that can be quickly adjusted to meet demand, and "reliable electricity" as electricity generated from a source with a performance standard of 80% or higher. Under the new law, the Public Utility Commission cannot approve a power company's plan to retire a power plant that provides reliable or dispatchable electricity unless the company has first acquired an equivalent or greater new generating resource with the same characteristics. If a power company seeks to retire a facility due to increasing federal regulatory costs, the Public Utility Commission and State Department of Energy must first attempt to obtain a waiver from those federal regulations. If a waiver cannot be obtained, the commission is required to seek a legal injunction to prevent the implementation of the federal regulations until the company can secure a replacement power source. The bill is set to take effect 91 days after the adjournment of the 2025 regular legislative session, and it aims to ensure continued reliable electricity supply in Oregon by preventing the premature retirement of existing power generation facilities.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/HB3247