Bill > HB3681

This bill modifies several Oregon Revised Statutes related to energy facilities and their siting and certification processes. The bill makes several key changes, including requiring the Energy Facility Siting Council to make every effort to conclude contested case proceedings within 12 months, extending the earliest date for beginning facility construction to six years after site certificate issuance, and modifying judicial review procedures for site certificate applications and amendments. The bill also changes how the Public Utility Commission evaluates transmission line projects, shifting the focus from determining necessity and safety to assessing whether the proposed transmission line meets a need for increased grid capacity and reliability. Additionally, the bill allows site certificate holders to add area to their approved site boundary without requiring a full amendment process, and provides that a certified site certificate for a high-voltage transmission line can serve as conclusive evidence of public use and necessity in condemnation proceedings. These changes aim to streamline energy facility permitting processes, provide more flexibility for project developers, and clarify legal procedures for site certification and review.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/HB3681