© 2025 | Jefferson Public Radio
Southern Oregon University
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
541.552.6301 | 800.782.6191
Listen | Discover | Engage a service of Southern Oregon University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

New state law changes investigations by Oregon Public Utilities Commission

two Large, high-voltage power line poles with a large number of wires going through the frame
Kristyna Wentz-Graff
/
OPB
Transmission towers near Eagle Creek, Jan. 5, 2023.

A new state law changes the scope of investigations by the Oregon Public Utilities Commission. A proposed powerline in Medford is the first time this law will be tested.

House Bill 3681, signed into law in June, aims to speed up energy transmission projects in Oregon. One provision changes the scope of investigations by the state utility commission regarding overhead transmission lines.

That process is now underway in Medford, where Pacific Power is seeking to build a high-voltage line between two existing substations. A certificate from the commission would help the power company if it needs to use eminent domain to acquire land.

Administrative Law Judge John Mellgren, who is overseeing the case, said during a public hearing this week that the law changes how projects are approved.

“The Commission considers whether the proposed transmission line meets a need for increased transmission capacity and reliability in the electric grid," he said. "And this is the first time that this standard will be interpreted by the Commission.”

Previously, commissioners determined whether the project was in the public interest. The commission could also require the power company to obtain local land use approvals first.

The new law doesn’t take effect until Jan. 1, 2026. Commission staff are seeking to block Pacific Power’s request to waive the old requirements.

Pacific Power, a subsidiary of PacificCorp, said that because a decision is expected in February, the new standards will apply by then and proactively using them now would make things quicker and more efficient.

Commission staff said that could lead to an inadequate investigation, and that Pacific Power is essentially asking the commission to make a preliminary decision with limited information.

"PacifiCorp’s perspective is that 'the Commission’s review is narrower as a result of HB 3681,'" the staff response reads. "Staff has not reached this conclusion and wants to continue with its current analysis while focusing on the future statutory language."

Mellgren said to expect a decision on the waiver soon.

Roman Battaglia is a regional reporter for Jefferson Public Radio. After graduating from Oregon State University, Roman came to JPR as part of the Charles Snowden Program for Excellence in Journalism in 2019. He then joined Delaware Public Media as a Report For America fellow before returning to the JPR newsroom.
Congress and the President have spoken. While this is a devastating result, JPR's commitment to its mission and values and our resolve to achieve them remain stronger than ever. Together with NPR, we’ll continue to bring you rigorous journalism, local news, courageous storytelling, and inspired music – every day. Help us increase listener support by 25% to make up for lost federal funding.