Current through 2024 Regular Session legislation
(1) The Legislative Assembly declares that it is the policy of the State of Oregon to: (a) Ensure that the formation and operation of Oregon Community Power does not directly or indirectly diminish the amount of federal electric power available for purchase by consumer-owned utilities to serve their retail electricity consumers;(b) Ensure that the formation and operation of Oregon Community Power does not, directly or indirectly, increase the lowest cost-based rates charged by the Bonneville Power Administration to consumer-owned utilities for the purchase of federal electric power above the level that would most likely have been charged absent the formation and operation of Oregon Community Power;(c) Preserve the existing exclusive distribution rights of consumer-owned utilities;(d) Ensure the preservation of contract rights currently existing between consumer-owned utilities and an incumbent utility;(e) Preserve the authority of cities to impose franchise fees and privilege taxes and to execute contracts with Oregon Community Power; and(f) Ensure that Oregon Community Power has access to benefits from the Bonneville Power Administration, as mandated by the federal Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act, that are equivalent to the benefits received by the incumbent utility at the time the utility is acquired by Oregon Community Power.(2) As used in this section, "federal electric power" means electricity generated, distributed or sold by the Bonneville Power Administration.