utilities

Wildfire survivors are asking Oregon’s highest court to reverse a decision that could imperil their case against utility giant PacifiCorp.

Oregon has more than 120 data centers, and is among a handful of states that are creating laws to protect ratepayers from higher electric bills as more come online.

The governor elevated a former self-driving car company lawyer to lead the California Public Utilities Commission, promising a renewed focus on cutting utility bills.

By “crowd-sourcing” electricity from solar panels and home batteries, the virtual power plant approach can get communities through extreme weather events.

Leaders in conservative and liberal states alike have long touted the benefits of a region-wide market. But some skeptics worry about merging the power systems of states with varying climate goals.

PG&E and Southern California Edison routinely blow their deadlines to hook up new solar panels, an advocacy group says. But after years of complaints they have not been punished.

Justices told a lower court to revisit their decision to uphold cuts of 75 percent to payments for solar panel owners.

House Bill 3792 will double the Oregon Energy Assistance Program from $20 million to $40 million, with the goal of helping more low-income Oregonians pay their energy bills and avoid disconnections.

Environmental groups want to revive higher payments to panel owners. But the subsidies were unfair to non-solar ratepayers, regulators say.

House Bill 3546, known as the POWER Act, is now headed to Gov. Tina Kotek’s desk. It could lead to higher rates for industrial electricity customers that currently pay much less per kilowatt hour than residential customers.

Oregon lawmakers are considering at least six bills right now that would limit for what, when and for whom private electric and gas companies can raise rates.

The Trump administration fired all federal staff of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Local providers are worried.