Oregon energy information?

Question

How has the State of Oregon has introduced energy deregulation and what are the major components of that legislation? Are there are any major renewable energy production facilities planned for Oregon?

Answer 1

The Oregon legislature passed an electricity restructuring bill (Senate Bill 1149) in 1999. Senate Bill 1149 sets Oregon on a much better path [than California] and provides significant consumer protections that California did not. Under SB 1149, utilities are not required to sell off their generation facilities and Oregon customers are guaranteed the benefits of our historic low-cost generation. SB 1149 also directs significant resources to energy conservation, which will help control electricity prices by reducing demand for power. Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chairman Ron Eachus recently told a legislative committee "you can call (SB 1149) restructuring, reshaping, or redesigning. But do not call it deregulation in the same breath as California."

To answer the second half of your question, in my local area the result of this measure was that we are offered alternatives such as renewable energy choices vs. the traditional electric power sources. The program is called Blue Sky from Pacific Power. While it is still more expensive, some major players are converting to these sources of energy and more facilities are being built the more customers that subscribe. Unfortunately I do not know where this energy is being produced, but I understand there are new wind farms on the Columbia River and others porposed for Cape Blanco.

Answer 2

Here in Texas they deregulated the electricity and it has increased about 100% and the state don't know what went wrong.