2026 At the Oregon Public Utility Commission
2026 At the Oregon Public Utility Commission
March 13, 2026 Energy Efficiency, Advocacy
Dockets CEP will continue working on in 2026:
Wildfire Mitigation Planning: Examines utility strategies for wildfire mitigation and preparedness.
CEP will continue shaping robust, sustainable practices that prioritize our most vulnerable communities in utility wildfire mitigation planning.
Clean energy: Requires utilities to phase out fossil fuels and replace them with zero-carbon sources.
CEP actively participates in Community Benefit Indicators Advisory Groups for PGE and Pacific Power, and the Equity Advisory Group for Avista Utilities. CEP also reviews utility Clean Energy Plans and Integrated Resource Plans to highlight any key equity components that are missing.
Energy Affordability: Incorporates energy burden and equity considerations into utility ratemaking and program design.
We prioritize low-income customers in all utility program offerings. CEP will continue providing feedback on program eligibility, enrollment, income verification, level of relief, outreach, and other program improvements to ensure that they adequately address the energy burden faced by low-income and underserved communities.
For 2026, CEP will assist in implementing the following bills passed last year:
POWER Act: Ensures high usage customers pay their fair share for resources, infrastructure, and grid costs they create.
CEP has intervened in utility contested cases involving large load users, such as data centers, in Oregon and their impacts on ratepayers, the environment, and the reliability of energy services. As part of a coalition of other environmental and community-focused organizations, CEP will negotiate terms around implementation of the Power Act. We will also prepare joint testimony primarily focused on large load users paying their fair share and ensuring residential rate payers are not subsidizing the immense amount of energy needed by large users.
FAIR Act: Provides for greater utility transparency, and increased predictability and stability of energy bills.
CEP has been working towards the implementation of Performance Based Ratemaking and the FAIR Act that we helped pass at the legislative level. The rulemaking phase is a crucial stage involving the development of rules that affect energy affordability, particularly for low-income communities. We are working to ensure that the Public Utility Commission (PUC) considers the holistic needs of Oregon’s ratepayers, such as cost of living increases and income levels, when setting and approving new utility rates. It will also address winter rate moratoriums, reporting requirements, the multi-year plan framework, and investigation into general rate provisions.
Microgrids: Supports community ownership of microgrids and more resilient, locally-controlled independent energy systems.
Microgrids can strengthen resilience and reduce energy burdens when designed carefully. CEP is deeply committed to advancing clean energy and making vulnerable communities more resilient. We will ensure these outcomes are prioritized during the investigation and implementation phases of the microgrids docket at the PUC. By supporting community ownership and investing in solar power and batteries, we can keep critical facilities powered while improving reliability and affordability.
Oregon Department of Energy’s (ODOE) Energy Strategy: Identifies pathways to achieving the state's clean energy and climate policy objectives.
CEP will focus on implementing ODOE’s energy strategy to ensure that the needs of low-income households and other vulnerable community members are fully addressed. We will also support policies that mitigate energy burdens and promote access to affordable, clean energy systems in our clients’ homes and at the grid level.
Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) Multi-Year Plan: Requires ETO to deliver on its strategic plan of serving priority populations and supporting community resiliency with related utility programs.
We will continue to encourage ETO to strengthen its electrification and fuel switching incentives. CEP is pushing for greater transparency and program improvements to accelerate the delivery of equitable outcomes that ensure ETO’s investments have the greatest possible impact for those on the frontlines of climate change.
