ORS § 757.359 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.359
757.359 Infrastructure for vehicles powered by renewable natural gas or hydrogen
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this section, “natural gas utility” means a natural gas utility regulated by the Public Utility Commission under this chapter.

(2) The commission may allow a natural gas utility to recover costs from all retail natural gas customers for prudent investments in or expenses related to infrastructure measures that support the adoption and service of alternative forms of transportation vehicles if the investments or expenses are consistent with and meet the requirements of subsection (3) of this section. An investment or expense by a natural gas utility may include an investment in or an expense related to infrastructure behind the customer meter.

(3) An investment in or expense related to infrastructure measures that support the adoption and service of alternative forms of transportation vehicles is a utility service and a benefit to retail natural gas customers if the investment or expense can be reasonably anticipated to:

(a) Support the adoption of alternative vehicles that are powered by renewable natural gas or hydrogen;

(b) Support reductions of transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions over time; and

(c) Benefit the natural gas utility system. Benefits may include, but need not be limited to:

(A) Distribution or transmission management benefits;

(B) System efficiencies or other economic values inuring to the benefit of retail natural gas customers over the long term; or

(C) Revenues to natural gas utilities from fueling alternative forms of transportation vehicles to offset utilities’ fixed costs that may otherwise be charged to retail natural gas customers. [2021 c.630 §23]

Source: Section 757.359 — Infrastructure for vehicles powered by renewable natural gas or hydrogen , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.461 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.461
757.461 Financing of rate recovery expenditures through rate recovery bonds
Status: in_force

(1) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) A public utility may apply to the Public Utility Commission for a financing order designating all or part of rate recovery expenditures as bondable rate recovery expenditures, for the purpose of financing or refinancing the designated expenditures under ORS 757.415 (Purposes for which securities and notes may be issued) (1)(f).

(b) After notice and an opportunity for a hearing, the commission may approve an application if the commission finds that:

(A) The rate recovery expenditures included in the application are reasonable and prudent;

(B) Financing or refinancing the rate recovery expenditures through the issuance of rate recovery bonds is likely to be more favorable to public utility customers for the recovery of rate recovery expenditures as compared to other methods; and

(C) Bonds, notes, certificates of beneficial interests in a trust and other evidences of indebtedness or ownership issued pursuant to the approval are reasonably likely to receive a determination of, at a minimum, investment grade by credit rating agencies.

(c) The commission shall issue an order within 180 days of an application approving or denying the application. If the commission approves the application, the commission shall issue a financing order.

(2) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) A financing order issued under this section shall specify the highest amount of rate recovery expenditures that qualify as bondable rate recovery expenditures.

(b) In specifying the amount for rate recovery expenditures associated with an event described in ORS 757.457 (Definitions for ORS 757.457, 757.459, 757.461 and 757.463) (11)(a), net of appropriate adjustments as determined by the commission to be reasonable, the commission may include, but is not limited to including, the following rate recovery expenditures:

(A) Capital and operating costs incurred or to be incurred as a result of the event;

(B) Lost revenue associated with the event;

(C) Costs and expenses that may be recovered at a later time from third parties or insurers and returned to public utility customers through a separate rate proceeding consistent with cost causation and rate design principles and statutory or regulatory requirements; and

(D) Carrying costs or charges.

(3) A financing order issued under this section must include the following provisions:

(a) Confirmation of the existence of recoverable rate recovery expenditures and authorization to recover rate recovery expenditures and associated financing costs, including the maximum principal amount of bondable rate recovery expenditures and financing costs that may be recovered through securitization;

(b) Authorization for the creation of rate recovery assets and imposition of rate recovery charges that allow for the recovery of rate recovery expenditures, as determined by the commission, and associated financing costs;

(c) A requirement that the rate recovery charges authorized by the financing order are ongoing and may not be avoided by a public utility customer, as described under subsection (4) of this section, until all principal, interest, premium and other amounts due on the rate recovery bonds and financing costs have been paid in full;

(d) A methodology for:

(A) Allocating rate recovery charges between the different classes of public utility customers, which may include not allocating rate recovery charges to one or more classes of public utility customers, that is consistent with cost causation and rate design principles and statutory or regulatory requirements; and

(B) Adjusting rate recovery charges as necessary to ensure timely payment on, and payment in full of, the rate recovery bonds and associated financing costs or in response to changes to applicable customers, service territories or collection rates;

(e) Authorization for the public utility to issue one or more series of rate recovery bonds with flexibility for the public utility to establish the terms and conditions of the rate recovery bonds, including repayment schedules, initial interest rates and initial financing costs;

(f) Authorization to assign rate recovery assets to a financing subsidiary and grant security interests in the rate recovery assets to secured parties without limiting the rights of subsequent assignees;

(g) Authorization for the bond documentation and ancillary documents related to the rate recovery bonds, including servicing arrangements for the rate recovery charges, without requiring the authorization to be on the final forms of the documents;

(h) Authorization for the public utility to earn a return, at the cost of capital authorized in the public utility’s most recent general rate case prior to the date of the financing order, on any moneys advanced by the public utility to fund advances, reserves or capital accounts established under the terms of any indenture, ancillary agreement or financing documents related to the rate recovery bonds;

(i) A finding that the proposed issuance of rate recovery bonds and the imposition of rate recovery charges is expected to provide the lowest possible reasonable and prudent cost on a net present value basis to public utility customers for recovery of the rate recovery expenditures as compared to other methods of financing and recovery;

(j) A date, not earlier than one year from the date that the financing order becomes final, on which the authority to issue rate recovery bonds granted in the financing order expires;

(k) A requirement that the public utility notify the commission if the public utility recovers costs and expenses from a third party or insurer; and

(L) Any other conditions that the commission finds appropriate and that are consistent with this section.

(4) Rate recovery charges authorized by a financing order shall be collected through the rates or charges paid by, and may not be avoided by, the public utility customers located within the public utility’s allocated service territory, as the territory existed on the date of the financing order or, if the financing order provides, as such service territory may be expanded, even if:

(a) The public utility customer receives electricity or natural gas, electricity or natural gas services or ancillary services from a successor or assignee of the public utility;

(b) The public utility customer elects to receive electricity or natural gas, electricity or natural gas services or ancillary services from another public utility, utility provider or service provider in the service territory; or

(c) After the date of issuance of the financing order, the public utility customer changes customer class.

(5) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) Rate recovery assets, including rate recovery charges, and the rights of public utilities, assignees, bondholders and financing parties, established by a financing order issued under this section, are irrevocable and unchangeable, except as provided in the financing order, until all principal, interest, premium, interest and amounts due on the rate recovery bonds and financing costs are paid in full.

(b) Until all principal, interest, premium, interest and amounts due on the rate recovery bonds and financing costs are paid in full, the commission, except as provided in the financing order, the State of Oregon and a public body, as defined in ORS 174.109 (“Public body” defined) , may not:

(A) Revalue the rate recovery expenditures or financing costs for ratemaking purposes;

(B) Determine that the rates or revenues authorized under the financing order are unjust or unreasonable;

(C) Reduce, alter or impair the rate recovery assets, rate recovery charges or the collection of the rate recovery charges, or rate recovery bonds or the security for the rate recovery bonds;

(D) Rescind, suspend, amend or impair the financing order; or

(E) When setting other rates or charges for the public utility or taking other actions pursuant to the commission’s authority, consider the rate recovery bonds as debt of the public utility, the rate recovery assets to be revenue for the public utility or the rate recovery expenditures to be costs of the public utility.

(6) The commission may not require a public utility to:

(a) Apply to the commission for a financing order designating all or part of rate recovery expenditures as bondable rate recovery expenditures; or

(b) Finance or refinance rate recovery expenditures that the commission has designated as bondable rate recovery expenditures.

(7) Jurisdiction for review of a financing order issued under this section shall be as provided for orders in contested cases pursuant to ORS 183.482 (Jurisdiction for review of contested cases) , except that a petition for rehearing or reconsideration is not allowed. If a petition is not filed with the Court of Appeals within 60 days following the date of issuance of a financing order, the order becomes a final and irrevocable action of the commission and the State of Oregon and is not subject to administrative or judicial challenge. [2023 c.529 §4 (enacted in lieu of 757.455)]

Source: Section 757.461 — Financing of rate recovery expenditures through rate recovery bonds; application and hearing process; financing order; collection of rate recovery charges , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 759.305 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 759 / Section 759.305
759.305 Power to regulate issuance of telecommunications stocks
Status: in_force

The power of telecommunications utilities to issue stocks and bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness and to create liens on their property situated within this state is a special privilege, the right of supervision, regulation, restriction and control of which is and shall continue to be vested in the state. Such power shall be exercised as provided by law and under such rules and regulations as the Public Utility Commission may prescribe. [1987 c.447 §29]

Source: Section 759.305 — Power to regulate issuance of telecommunications stocks; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors759.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.061 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.061
757.061 Regulation of water utilities
Status: in_force

(1) For the purposes of this section:

(a) “Rate regulation” means regulation under this chapter, except for regulation under ORS 757.105 (Filing of budget) to 757.110 (Effect of budget orders) .

(b) “Service regulation” means regulation under this chapter, except for regulation under ORS 757.105 (Filing of budget) to 757.110 (Effect of budget orders) , 757.140 (Depreciation accounts) , 757.205 (Filing schedules with commission) to 757.220 (Notice of schedule changes required) , 757.225 (Utilities required to collect for their services in accordance with schedules) , 757.245 (Establishment of joint rates) , 757.259 (Amounts includable in rate schedule) , 757.355 (Costs of property not presently providing utility service excluded from rate base) , 757.400 (“Stocks” defined for ORS 757.400 to 757.463) to 757.463 (Security interest as collateral in rate recovery assets) , 757.485 (Purchase of property or stocks of one utility by another) , 757.490 (Approval needed for certain contracts) , 757.495 (Contracts involving utilities and persons with affiliated interests) and 757.500 (Contracts between certain public utilities) .

(2) Except as provided in this section, water utilities are not subject to regulation under this chapter or required to pay the fee provided for in ORS 756.310 (Annual fees payable by utilities and telecommunications providers) .

(3) The following utilities are subject to rate regulation and must pay the fee provided for in ORS 756.310 (Annual fees payable by utilities and telecommunications providers) :

(a) A water utility that serves 500 or more customers.

(b) A water utility that serves fewer than 500 customers, if the water utility also provides wastewater services to the public inside the boundaries of a city.

(c) A water utility that serves fewer than 500 customers, if the Public Utility Commission grants a petition from the water utility requesting that the water utility be subject to rate regulation.

(d) A water utility that satisfies all of the following conditions:

(A) The water utility serves fewer than 500 customers;

(B) The water utility proposes to charge a rate for water service that exceeds the maximum rates established by the commission under subsection (5) of this section; and

(C) Twenty percent or more of the customers of the water utility file a petition with the commission requesting that the water utility be subject to rate regulation.

(4) The following utilities are subject to service regulation and must pay the fee provided for in ORS 756.310 (Annual fees payable by utilities and telecommunications providers) :

(a) A water utility that serves fewer than 500 customers and that is found by the commission, pursuant to an investigation under ORS 756.515 (Investigations and hearings on commission’s own motion) , to have provided inadequate or discriminatory service at any time.

(b) A water utility that serves fewer than 500 customers and that at any time charges an average annual residential rate of $24 per month or more.

(5) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) The commission shall adopt rules establishing maximum rates for water utilities serving fewer than 500 customers for the purpose of determining whether a petition may be filed under subsection (3)(d)(C) of this section.

(b) To encourage metered water systems for water utilities serving fewer than 500 customers, the commission shall establish a higher maximum rate for water utilities with metered water systems than for water utilities with unmetered systems.

(6) Not less than 60 days before a water utility that serves fewer than 500 customers increases any rate to exceed any maximum rate prescribed under subsection (5) of this section, the water utility shall provide written notice to all of its customers advising the customers of their right to file a petition under subsection (3)(d)(C) of this section. The commission shall adopt rules prescribing the content of the written notice. [1989 c.403 §2; 1999 c.330 §1; 2003 c.82 §1; 2009 c.429 §1; 2011 c.76 §1; 2013 c.96 §4]

Source: Section 757.061 — Regulation of water utilities; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.300 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.300
757.300 Net metering facility allowed to connect to public utility
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this section:

(a) “Customer-generator” means a user of a net metering facility.

(b) “Electric utility” means a public utility, a people’s utility district operating under ORS chapter 261, a municipal utility operating under ORS chapter 225 or an electric cooperative organized under ORS chapter 62.

(c) “Net metering” means measuring the difference between the electricity supplied by an electric utility and the electricity generated by a customer-generator and fed back to the electric utility over the applicable billing period.

(d) “Net metering facility” means a facility for the production of electrical energy that:

(A) Generates electricity using:

(i) Solar power;

(ii) Wind power;

(iii) Fuel cells;

(iv) Hydroelectric power;

(v) Landfill gas;

(vi) Digester gas;

(vii) Waste;

(viii) Dedicated energy crops available on a renewable basis;

(ix) Low-emission, nontoxic biomass based on solid organic fuels from wood, forest or field residues;

(x) Geothermal energy; or

(xi) Renewable marine energy, including wave energy, wave-wind hybrid energy and tidal energy;

(B) Is located on the customer-generator’s premises, the territorial sea as defined in ORS 196.405 (Definitions for ORS 196.405 to 196.515) , or the outer continental shelf;

(C) If located on the territorial sea or the outer continental shelf, is directly interconnected to the customer-generator’s premises;

(D) Can operate in parallel with an electric utility’s existing transmission and distribution facilities; and

(E) Is intended primarily to offset part or all of the customer-generator’s requirements for electricity.

(2) An electric utility that offers residential and commercial electric service:

(a) Shall allow net metering facilities to be interconnected using a standard meter that is capable of registering the flow of electricity in two directions.

(b) May at its own expense install one or more additional meters to monitor the flow of electricity in each direction.

(c) May not charge a customer-generator a fee or charge that would increase the customer-generator’s minimum monthly charge to an amount greater than that of other customers in the same rate class as the customer-generator. However, the Public Utility Commission, for a public utility, or the governing body, for a municipal electric utility, electric cooperative or people’s utility district, may authorize an electric utility to assess a greater fee or charge, of any type, if the electric utility’s direct costs of interconnection and administration of the net metering outweigh the distribution system, environmental and public policy benefits of allocating such costs among the electric utility’s entire customer base. The commission may authorize a public utility to assess a greater fee or charge under this paragraph only following notice and opportunity for public comment. The governing body of a municipal electric utility, electric cooperative or people’s utility district may assess a greater fee or charge under this paragraph only following notice and opportunity for comment from the customers of the utility, cooperative or district.

(3) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) For a customer-generator, an electric utility shall measure the net electricity produced or consumed during the billing period in accordance with normal metering practices.

(b) If an electric utility supplies a customer-generator more electricity than the customer-generator feeds back to the electric utility during a billing period, the electric utility shall charge the customer-generator for the net electricity that the electric utility supplied.

(c) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this subsection, if a customer-generator feeds back to an electric utility more electricity than the electric utility supplies the customer-generator during a billing period, the electric utility may charge the minimum monthly charge described in subsection (2) of this section but must credit the customer-generator for the excess kilowatt-hours generated during the billing period. An electric utility may value the excess kilowatt-hours at the avoided cost of the utility, as determined by the commission or the appropriate governing body. An electric utility that values the excess kilowatt-hours at the avoided cost shall bear the cost of measuring the excess kilowatt-hours, issuing payments and billing for the excess hours. The electric utility also shall bear the cost of providing and installing additional metering to measure the reverse flow of electricity.

(d) For the billing cycle ending in March of each year, or on such other date as agreed to by the electric utility and the customer-generator, any remaining unused kilowatt-hour credit accumulated during the previous year shall be granted to the electric utility for distribution to customers enrolled in the electric utility’s low-income assistance programs, credited to the customer-generator or dedicated for other use as determined by the commission, for a public utility, or the governing body, for a municipal electric utility, electric cooperative or people’s utility district, following notice and opportunity for public comment.

(4) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) A net metering facility shall meet all applicable safety and performance standards established in the state building code. The standards shall be consistent with the applicable standards established by the National Electrical Code, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and Underwriters Laboratories or other similarly accredited laboratory.

(b) Following notice and opportunity for public comment, the commission, for a public utility, or the governing body, for a municipal electric utility, electric cooperative or people’s utility district, may adopt additional control and testing requirements for customer-generators to protect public safety or system reliability.

(c) An electric utility may not require a customer-generator whose net metering facility meets the standards in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection to comply with additional safety or performance standards, perform or pay for additional tests or purchase additional liability insurance. However, an electric utility shall not be liable directly or indirectly for permitting or continuing to allow an attachment of a net metering facility, or for the acts or omissions of the customer-generator that cause loss or injury, including death, to any third party.

(5) Nothing in this section is intended to prevent an electric utility from offering, or a customer-generator from accepting, products or services related to the customer-generator’s net metering facility that are different from the net metering services described in this section.

(6) The commission, for a public utility, or the governing body, for a municipal electric utility, electric cooperative or people’s utility district, may not limit the cumulative generating capacity of solar, wind, geothermal, renewable marine, fuel cell and microhydroelectric net metering systems to less than one-half of one percent of a utility’s, cooperative’s or district’s historic single-hour peak load. After a cumulative limit of one-half of one percent has been reached, the obligation of a public utility, municipal electric utility, electric cooperative or people’s utility district to offer net metering to a new customer-generator may be limited by the commission or governing body in order to balance the interests of retail customers. When limiting net metering obligations under this subsection, the commission or the governing body shall consider the environmental and other public policy benefits of net metering systems. The commission may limit net metering obligations under this subsection only following notice and opportunity for public comment. The governing body of a municipal electric utility, electric cooperative or people’s utility district may limit net metering obligations under this subsection only following notice and opportunity for comment from the customers of the utility, cooperative or district.

(7) The commission or the governing body may adopt rules or ordinances to ensure that the obligations and costs associated with net metering apply to all power suppliers within the service territory of a public utility, municipal electric utility, electric cooperative or people’s utility district.

(8) This section applies only to net metering facilities that have a generating capacity of 25 kilowatts or less, except that the commission by rule may provide for a higher limit for customers of a public utility.

(9) Notwithstanding subsections (2) to (8) of this section, an electric utility serving fewer than 25,000 customers in Oregon that has its headquarters located in another state and offers net metering services or a substantial equivalent offset against retail sales in that state shall be deemed to be in compliance with this section if the electric utility offers net metering services to its customers in Oregon in accordance with tariffs, schedules and other regulations promulgated by the appropriate authority in the state where the electric utility’s headquarters are located. [1999 c.944 §2; 2005 c.145 §1; 2013 c.648 §5; 2014 c.33 §1]

Source: Section 757.300 — Net metering facility allowed to connect to public utility; conditions for connecting and measuring energy; rules; application to out-of-state utilities , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 758.305 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 758 / Section 758.305
758.305 Exclusive service territories
Status: in_force

(1) Designated service territories of a water utility approved by the Public Utility Commission shall be exclusive. A water utility or community water supply system shall not provide water utility service within the designated exclusive service territory of another water utility without the express approval of the commission.

(2) A water utility shall serve only customers within its designated exclusive service territory and shall serve all applicants for service within its designated territory. The water utility may refuse service only as provided by commission rule.

(3) Upon petition by the water utility for an order, or by the commission on its own motion, a designated service territory may be expanded to include unserved areas. In reviewing a petition, the commission shall consider at least the current ability of the water utility to serve the expanded area, the demand for service in the expanded area, the impact on existing customers and the availability of alternative service. The commission may take other factors into consideration as prescribed by commission rule. Notice and hearing of the proposed expansion shall be given as provided in ORS 758.302 (Application for exclusive service territory) .

(4) Upon petition by the water utility or a customer of the utility for an order, or by the commission on its own motion, a designated exclusive service territory may be decreased upon a showing that the water utility is not providing adequate service to its customers or does not have the capacity to serve the designated area. Notice of the proposed decrease of service territory shall be given as provided in ORS 758.302 (Application for exclusive service territory) . [1999 c.695 §6]

Note: See note under 758.300 (Definitions for ORS 758.300 to 758.320) .

Source: Section 758.305 — Exclusive service territories , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors758.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.920 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.920
757.920 Rights of electricity service suppliers
Status: in_force

(1) Every electricity service supplier is authorized to use the distribution facilities of Oregon Community Power on a nondiscriminatory basis.

(2) Oregon Community Power shall provide:

(a) Electricity service suppliers and retail electricity consumers access to the Oregon Community Power transmission facilities and distribution system that is comparable to that provided for Oregon Community Power’s own use; and

(b) Electricity service suppliers and retail electricity consumers timely access to information about the Oregon Community Power transmission facilities and distribution system, metering and loads comparable to that provided to Oregon Community Power’s own nondistribution divisions, affiliates and related parties.

(3) Oregon Community Power shall allow any electricity service supplier that has been certified by the Public Utility Commission to provide direct access to nonresidential electricity consumers. [2007 c.807 §30]

Note: See note under 757.812 (Definitions for ORS 757.812 to 757.950) .

Source: Section 757.920 — Rights of electricity service suppliers , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.683 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.683
757.683 Consumer-owned utility’s distribution rights and control over distribution system
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding the provisions of ORS 757.600 (Definitions for ORS 757.600 to 757.687) to 757.667 (City authority over rights of way) , a consumer-owned utility shall have exclusive distribution rights, to the extent such rights are provided by law, and exclusive responsibility for the performance and oversight of its distribution system including the acquisition, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of distribution facilities and metering, billing, collection and consumer response functions relating to the distribution of electricity to retail electricity consumers located within the utility’s service territory. Nothing in this section shall diminish or enlarge the rights of any person under ORS 758.400 (Definitions for ORS 758.015 and 758.400 to 758.475) to 758.475 (Fees) . [1999 c.865 §26]

Source: Section 757.683 — Consumer-owned utility’s distribution rights and control over distribution system , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.135 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.135
757.135 Closing accounts and filing balance sheet
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the accounts required under ORS 757.120 (Accounts required) and 757.125 (Duty of utility to keep records and accounts) shall be closed annually on December 31 and a balance sheet of that date promptly taken therefrom. On or before a date prescribed by the Public Utility Commission by rule, such balance sheet, together with such other information as the commission shall prescribe, verified by an officer of the public utility, shall be filed with the commission.

(2) If a public utility maintains its accounts and records on a fiscal year basis, the accounts required by ORS 757.120 (Accounts required) and 757.125 (Duty of utility to keep records and accounts) shall be closed annually on the last day of the fiscal year and a balance sheet shall be promptly taken from those accounts. On or before the first day of the fourth month following the end of the public utility’s fiscal year, the balance sheet together with such information as the commission shall prescribe must be verified by an officer of the public utility and filed with the commission. The commission may require that a public utility filing information at the time specified in this subsection also file with the commission on a calendar year basis such additional information as may be prescribed by the commission.

(3) The commission may examine and audit any account. Items shall be allocated to the accounts in the manner prescribed by the commission. [Amended by 1983 c.540 §4; 2001 c.733 §1; 2013 c.96 §2]

Source: Section 757.135 — Closing accounts and filing balance sheet; rules; auditing accounts , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 756.050 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 756 / Section 756.050
756.050 Office, office supplies and sessions of commission
Status: in_force

(1) The Public Utility Commission shall keep office at the capital and shall be provided with suitable office quarters under ORS 276.004 (Utilization of buildings and grounds other than State Capitol, Supreme Court Building and State Capitol State Park) . Necessary office furniture, supplies, stationery, books, periodicals and maps shall be furnished, and all necessary expenses therefor shall be audited and paid as other state expenses are audited and paid.

(2) The commission may hold sessions and maintain offices at places other than the capital for the more convenient and efficient performance of the duties imposed upon the commission by law, and shall upon request be provided by the county court or board of county commissioners of any county in the state with suitable rooms for offices and hearings. [Amended by 1969 c.706 §64g; 1971 c.655 §11]

Source: Section 756.050 — Office, office supplies and sessions of commission , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors756.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 758.225 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 758 / Section 758.225
758.225 Petition, ordinance or resolution for conversion
Status: in_force

(1) A proceeding for conversion may be initiated:

(a) By a petition signed by not less than 60 percent of the landowners within the proposed assessment district who own not less than 60 percent of the land area within the district; or

(b) By an ordinance or resolution of a public authority declaring its intention to order a conversion.

(2) A petition shall:

(a) Describe the proposed boundaries of the assessment district;

(b) Generally describe the proposed conversion; and

(c) Request that a proceeding for such conversion be taken pursuant to ORS 758.210 (Policy) to 758.270 (Effect of ORS 758.210 to 758.270 on existing laws and rights) .

(3) The petition shall be filed with the city recorder, county clerk or other person designated by the public authority to receive the petition and to verify the signatures. If the petition is signed by the requisite number of qualified signers, the official so designated shall execute a certificate of sufficiency and present the petition and certificate to the governing body of the city or to the county court or board of county commissioners, as the case may be. [1969 c.385 §4]

Source: Section 758.225 — Petition, ordinance or resolution for conversion; contents; filing , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors758.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.750 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.750
757.750 Legislative findings
Status: in_force

The Legislative Assembly finds that the termination of residential electric and natural gas utility service can lead to the serious impairment of human health and possibly to loss of life; therefore, the Legislative Assembly has enacted ORS 757.750 (Legislative findings) to 757.760 (Requirements for notice of termination of service) . [1979 c.868 §2; 1983 c.326 §1]

Source: Section 757.750 — Legislative findings , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 758.302 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 758 / Section 758.302
758.302 Application for exclusive service territory
Status: in_force

(1) A water utility may apply to the Public Utility Commission for an order designating an area as an exclusive service territory for the water utility. The commission may designate as an exclusive service territory any area that on the date of application is being served in an adequate manner by the applicant and is not being served by any other water provider.

(2) In addition to the area described in subsection (1) of this section, a private water utility may apply for inclusion in an exclusive service territory designated for the private water utility any area adjacent to the area described in subsection (1) of this section if:

(a) The applicant plans to extend service to the adjacent area in the six months immediately following the date of the application;

(b) The adjacent area is not being served by any other water provider; and

(c) The applicant demonstrates that it is more economical and feasible to provide services to the adjacent area by an extension of the applicant’s existing facilities than by an extension of the facilities of another water provider or community water supply system.

(3) An application under this section must be made on forms provided by the commission, contain all information required by commission rule and include a copy of the notice of the filing to be given to all customers of record. The applicant shall, within 30 days after filing an application under this section, give notice of the filing in the manner provided by subsection (5) of this section.

(4) Within 30 days after the filing of an application under this section, the commission shall give notice of the filing to all other water providers in the areas adjacent to the area described in the application.

(5) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) A notice given pursuant to this subsection shall be given:

(A) By mail or electronic mail to all customers of record of the water utility in the area described in the application;

(B) By press release to news media local to the area described in the application; and

(C) By publication in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the area described in the application at least once weekly for two successive weeks.

(b) The notice must describe the area of the proposed exclusive service territory and the general rate impact to existing customers.

(6) If the commission, on its own motion, chooses, or if any customer or customers of the water utility request a hearing on the application within 30 days of the date notice is given under subsection (3) of this section, the commission shall hold a hearing. The commission shall give notice of the time and place of the hearing in the manner provided by subsection (5) of this section. If the hearing is held by reason of a customer’s request, the commission shall give notice of the hearing within 30 days after the request is received by the commission. The hearing shall be held at a place within or conveniently accessible to the area described in the application.

(7) The commission may make such investigations relating to an application under this section as the commission deems proper, including physical examination and evaluation of the facilities and systems of the applicant, estimates of their operating costs and revenues, and studies of such other information as the commission deems relevant.

(8) The commission shall enter an order granting or denying an application for an exclusive service territory under this section. The order must contain findings of fact supporting the order. The commission may grant an application subject to such conditions and limitations as the commission deems appropriate.

(9) ORS 756.500 (Complaint) to 756.610 (Judicial review) govern the conduct of hearings under this section and any appeal of the commission’s order.

(10) If the commission considers competing applications under subsection (2) of this section to extend exclusive service to the same area, there is a disputable presumption that applicants have an equal ability to extend, improve, enlarge, build, operate and maintain existing or proposed facilities. [1999 c.695 §2; 2003 c.202 §4; 2023 c.53 §3]

Note: See note under 758.300 (Definitions for ORS 758.300 to 758.320) .

Source: Section 758.302 — Application for exclusive service territory; hearing on application; notice , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors758.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.609 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.609
757.609 Date for announcing prices for electricity in subsequent calendar year
Status: in_force

(1) The Public Utility Commission shall set a date on which all electric companies must announce prices that will be charged for electricity by the companies in the subsequent calendar year. Retail electricity consumers who are eligible for direct access must be allowed at least three business days after the date set by the commission to elect whether to use direct access or to purchase electricity from an electric company.

(2) All electricity service suppliers and electric companies must announce estimated prices that will be charged for electricity by the suppliers and companies in the subsequent calendar year or contract period at least five days before the date set by the commission under subsection (1) of this section. [2003 c.478 §2]

Note: 757.609 (Date for announcing prices for electricity in subsequent calendar year) was added to and made a part of 757.600 (Definitions for ORS 757.600 to 757.687) to 757.687 (Consumer-owned utility offering direct access) by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

Source: Section 757.609 — Date for announcing prices for electricity in subsequent calendar year; estimated prices , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 756.552 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 756 / Section 756.552
756.552 Self-incrimination of witnesses in court proceedings
Status: in_force

No person shall be excused from testifying or from producing books and papers in any court proceeding based upon or growing out of any violation of the provisions of ORS chapter 756, 757, 758, 759 or 825 or ORS 824.020 (Definitions for ORS 824.020 to 824.042) to 824.042 (Department to participate in contested abandonment proceedings) , 824.050 (Inspection of, recommendations on and orders concerning railroad equipment and facilities) to 824.110 (Administrative authority of department) , 824.200 (Definitions for 824.200 to 824.256) to 824.256 (Expense contributed by public held in trust by railroad company) or 824.300 (Required crews on trains) to 824.310 (Immunity from liability of persons providing first aid treatment) on the ground or for the reason that the testimony or evidence, documentary or otherwise, required of the person may tend to incriminate the person or subject the person to penalty or forfeiture; but no person having so testified shall be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for, or on account of, any transaction, matter or thing concerning which the person may have testified or produced any documentary evidence. However, no person shall be exempted from prosecution or punishment for perjury while so testifying. The immunity conferred by this section shall extend only to a natural person who, in obedience to a subpoena, gives testimony under oath or produces evidence, documentary or otherwise, under oath. [Formerly 757.590; 1989 c.827 §2]

Source: Section 756.552 — Self-incrimination of witnesses in court proceedings , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors756.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.110 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.110
757.110 Effect of budget orders
Status: in_force

(1) Any finding and order made and entered by the Public Utility Commission under ORS 757.105 (Filing of budget) or 757.107 (Supplemental budgets and orders) shall have the effect of prohibiting any unapproved or rejected expenditure from being recognized as an operating expense or capital expenditure in any rate valuation proceeding or in any proceeding or hearing unless and until the propriety thereof has been established to the satisfaction of the commission. Any such finding and order shall remain in full force and effect, unless and until it is modified or set aside by the commission or is set aside, modified or remanded in a proceeding for judicial review of an order in the manner provided by ORS 756.610 (Judicial review) .

(2) Nothing in ORS 757.105 (Filing of budget) or 757.107 (Supplemental budgets and orders) prevents the commission from at any time making and filing orders rejecting imprudent and unwise expenditures or payments. Such orders when so made shall be in full force and effect, and the public utility shall not have the right to make such expenditures or payments found to be imprudent or unwise until the order has been modified or set aside by the commission or is set aside, modified or remanded in a proceeding for judicial review of an order in the manner provided by ORS 756.610 (Judicial review) . [Amended by 1971 c.655 §84; 2005 c.638 §7; 2017 c.312 §4]

Source: Section 757.110 — Effect of budget orders , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 756.521 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 756 / Section 756.521
756.521 Public hearings
Status: in_force

All hearings shall be open to the public and may be had before the Public Utility Commission, an examiner or any other person authorized to hold such hearing. A full record thereof shall be kept. However, it shall not be necessary to transcribe testimony unless requested. For purposes of rehearing or reconsideration under ORS 756.561 (Rehearing) , a transcription shall be made at the commission’s expense, and copies of such transcription shall be supplied to the parties, at cost. A copy of the transcript shall be supplied to a party without cost upon the filing with the commission of a satisfactory affidavit of indigency. [1971 c.655 §41; 2005 c.638 §3]

Source: Section 756.521 — Public hearings; record required; furnishing transcripts , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors756.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 756.016 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 756 / Section 756.016
756.016 Quorum
Status: in_force

(1) A majority of the commissioners shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business, for the performance of any duty or for the exercise of any power of the Public Utility Commission.

(2) The commission shall have a seal with the words “Public Utility Commission of Oregon” and such other design as the commission may prescribe engraved thereon, by which the proceedings of the commission shall be authenticated and of which the courts shall take judicial notice.

(3) Any investigation, inquiry or hearing which the commission has power to undertake or to hold may be undertaken or held by or before any commissioner designated by order of the commission. Except as provided in ORS 756.055 (Delegation of authority) , all investigations, inquiries and hearings so held shall be conducted as though by the full commission with such commissioner empowered to exercise all the powers of the commission with respect thereto. [1985 c.834 §§3,4,5]

Source: Section 756.016 — Quorum; seal; individual commissioner authorized to act for commission , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors756.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 756.022 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 756 / Section 756.022
756.022 Oath of office
Status: in_force

Before entering upon the duties of office, each commissioner shall take and subscribe to an oath or affirmation to support the Constitution of the United States and of this state, and to faithfully and honestly discharge the duties of office. The oath shall be filed with the Secretary of State. [1971 c.655 §3; 1985 c.834 §7]

Source: Section 756.022 — Oath of office , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors756.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.015 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.015
757.015 “Affiliated interest” defined for ORS 757.105 (1) and 757.495
Status: in_force

As used in ORS 757.105 (Filing of budget) (1) and 757.495 (Contracts involving utilities and persons with affiliated interests) , “affiliated interest” with a public utility means:

(1) Every corporation and person owning or holding directly or indirectly five percent or more of the voting securities of such public utility.

(2) Every corporation and person in any chain of successive ownership of five percent or more of voting securities of such public utility.

(3) Every corporation five percent or more of whose voting securities are owned by any person or corporation owning five percent or more of the voting securities of such public utility or by any person or corporation in any chain of successive ownership of five percent or more of voting securities of such public utility.

(4) Every person who is an officer or director of such public utility or of any corporation in any chain of successive ownership of five percent or more of voting securities of such public utility.

(5) Every corporation that has two or more officers or two or more directors in common with such public utility.

(6) Every corporation and person, five percent or more of which is directly or indirectly owned by a public utility.

(7) Every corporation or person that the Public Utility Commission determines as a matter of fact after investigation and hearing actually is exercising any substantial influence over the policies and actions of such public utility, even though such influence is not based upon stockholding, stockholders, directors or officers to the extent specified in this section.

(8) Every person or corporation that the commission determines as a matter of fact, after investigation and hearing, actually is exercising such substantial influence over the policies and actions of such public utility in conjunction with one or more other corporations or persons with whom they are related by ownership or blood or by action in concert that together they are affiliated with such public utility within the meaning of this section even though no one of them alone is so affiliated. [Amended by 1971 c.655 §65; 1989 c.17 §1; 2015 c.27 §60]

Source: Section 757.015 — “Affiliated interest” defined for ORS 757.105 (1) and 757.495 , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.945 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.945
757.945 Consultation with State Treasurer
Status: in_force

Oregon Community Power may consult with and obtain advice from the State Treasurer on proposed or executed financing agreements. The State Treasurer may recover from Oregon Community Power any costs incurred by the State Treasurer in providing consultation and advice. [2007 c.807 §38]

Note: See note under 757.812 (Definitions for ORS 757.812 to 757.950) .

Source: Section 757.945 — Consultation with State Treasurer , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 759.445 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 759 / Section 759.445
759.445 Connecting Oregon Communities Fund
Status: in_force

(1) There is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund, the Connecting Oregon Communities Fund. Moneys in the fund shall consist of amounts deposited in the fund under ORS 759.405 (Election of regulation under ORS 759.405 and 759.410) and any other moneys deposited by a telecommunications carrier that elects to be subject to ORS 759.405 (Election of regulation under ORS 759.405 and 759.410) and 759.410 (Intent of ORS 759.410) , including amounts deposited pursuant to a performance assurance plan implemented by a telecommunications carrier in connection with an application under 47 U.S.C. 271, as in effect on January 1, 2002. Interest earned on moneys in the fund shall accrue to the fund. Moneys in the fund may be invested as provided in ORS 293.701 (Definitions for ORS 293.701 to 293.857) to 293.857 (Separate accounts for each local government) . Moneys in the fund shall be used to provide access to advanced telecommunications technology in elementary schools and high schools, colleges and universities, community colleges, public television corporations, rural health care providers, public libraries and other eligible persons.

(2) Two dedicated accounts shall be established within the Connecting Oregon Communities Fund for purposes of supporting education and public access to advanced telecommunications services. The first $25 million of the moneys deposited in the Connecting Oregon Communities Fund in both 2000 and 2001 shall be appropriated to the School Technology Account established under subsection (3) of this section. Except as provided in subsection (8) of this section, any additional moneys available in the fund shall be appropriated to the Public Access Account established under subsection (4) of this section.

(3) There is established the School Technology Account within the Connecting Oregon Communities Fund. The purpose of the School Technology Account is to improve access to advanced telecommunications services for students attending public school in kindergarten through grade 12. Moneys in the account shall be expended as provided in section 34, chapter 1093, Oregon Laws 1999.

(4) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) There is established the Public Access Account within the Connecting Oregon Communities Fund. The purpose of the Public Access Account is to improve access to advanced telecommunications services for community colleges, universities, public libraries and rural health care providers.

(b) If funding has not been provided from other sources, the first $3 million available in the Public Access Account shall be transferred to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for the purpose of funding the Oregon Wide Area Network project to provide and expand Internet access for public universities listed in ORS 352.002 (Public universities) .

(c) Following the transfer of funds described in paragraph (b) of this subsection, the next $1 million available in the Public Access Account shall be transferred to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for Oregon State University for the purpose of providing virtual access to persons with disabilities.

(d) Following the transfer of funds as described in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection, the next $2 million available in the Public Access Account shall be transferred to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for distribution to community colleges for the purpose of developing connectivity and distance education programs.

(e) Following the transfer of funds described in paragraphs (b) to (d) of this subsection, the next $4 million available in the Public Access Account shall be transferred to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for video transport and network management services for public universities.

(f) Following the transfer of funds described in paragraphs (b) to (e) of this subsection, the next $5.5 million available in the Public Access Account shall be transferred to the Oregon Public Broadcasting Corporation for the purpose of digitizing the state television network, using the Oregon Enterprise Network when possible.

(g) Following the transfer of funds described in paragraphs (b) to (f) of this subsection, the next $500,000 available in the Public Access Account shall be transferred to the Southern Oregon Public Television Corporation for the purpose of digitizing the state television network, using the Oregon Enterprise Network when possible.

(h) Following the transfer of funds described in paragraphs (b) to (g) of this subsection, a public university listed in ORS 352.002 (Public universities) or the Oregon Health and Science University may apply for one-time matching funds up to $1 million from the Public Access Account to endow a telecommunications chair for the purpose of increasing research and development of advanced telecommunications services applications. Only one chair may be endowed under this paragraph.

(5) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) The Oregon Business Development Commission shall approve expenditure of any remaining moneys in the Public Access Account consistent with this section and ORS 759.430 (Approval of projects funded by carrier’s Telecommunications Infrastructure Account) .

(b) Community colleges, public universities listed in ORS 352.002 (Public universities) , public libraries, public television corporations and rural health care providers may apply to the Oregon Business Development Commission for funding from the Public Access Account under this subsection.

(c) Funds received from the account shall be used for the purchase of advanced telecommunications services, equipment or recurring costs of telecommunications connectivity. Priority shall be given to collaborative projects that improve access to advanced telecommunications services.

(d) Funds available in the Public Access Account under this subsection are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department for the purposes described in this subsection.

(6) Public libraries and rural health care providers must apply for federal universal service support in order to be eligible for a grant from the Public Access Account.

(7) The video transport and network management services purchased with funds made available under this section shall be purchased through the Oregon Department of Administrative Services.

(8) Any moneys deposited in the Connecting Oregon Communities Fund under subsection (1) of this section pursuant to a performance assurance plan implemented by a telecommunications carrier in connection with an application under 47 U.S.C. 271, as in effect on January 1, 2002, shall be placed in the School Technology Account to be expended as provided in section 34, chapter 1093, Oregon Laws 1999. [1999 c.1093 §33; 2001 c.966 §7; 2009 c.762 §89; 2011 c.637 §290; 2015 c.366 §98; 2015 c.767 §209]

Source: Section 759.445 — Connecting Oregon Communities Fund; School Technology Account; Public Access Account , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors759.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.357 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.357
757.357 Legislative findings
Status: repealed

(1) As used in this section:

(a) “Electric company” has the meaning given that term in ORS 757.600 (Definitions for ORS 757.600 to 757.687) .

(b) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(A) “Infrastructure measures” includes, but is not limited to, investments in, expenses related to or rebates for:

(i) Distribution system infrastructure that supports transportation electrification;

(ii) Communication and control technologies that support transportation electrification; and

(iii) Behind-the-meter infrastructure that supports transportation electrification and is owned by an electric company or by a customer.

(B) “Infrastructure measures” does not include investments in or expenses related to education and outreach activities related to transportation electrification, or other transportation electrification-related activities determined by the Public Utility Commission to be separate and distinct from the development of infrastructure.

(c) “Retail electricity consumer” has the meaning given that term in ORS 757.600 (Definitions for ORS 757.600 to 757.687) .

(d) “Transportation electrification” means:

(A) The use of electricity from external sources to provide power to all or part of a vehicle;

(B) Programs related to developing the use of electricity for the purpose described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph;

(C) Infrastructure measures related to developing the use of electricity for the purpose described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph; and

(D) Programs related to supporting the adoption and service of vehicles powered as described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.

(e) “Vehicle” means a vehicle, vessel, train, boat or any other equipment that is mobile.

(2) The Legislative Assembly finds and declares that:

(a) Transportation electrification is necessary to reduce petroleum use, achieve optimum levels of energy efficiency and carbon reduction, meet federal and state air quality standards, meet this state’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals described in ORS 468A.205 (Policy) and improve the public health and safety;

(b) Widespread transportation electrification requires that electric companies increase access to the use of electricity as a transportation fuel;

(c) Widespread transportation electrification requires that electric companies increase access to the use of electricity as a transportation fuel in low and moderate income communities;

(d) Widespread transportation electrification should stimulate innovation and competition, provide consumers with increased options in the use of charging equipment and in procuring services from suppliers of electricity, attract private capital investments and create high quality jobs in this state;

(e) Transportation electrification and the purchase and use of electric vehicles should assist in managing the electrical grid, integrating generation from renewable energy resources and improving electric system efficiency and operational flexibility, including the ability of an electric company to integrate variable generating resources;

(f) Deploying transportation electrification and electric vehicles creates the opportunity for an electric company to propose, to the commission, that a net benefit for the customers of the electric company is attainable; and

(g) Charging electric vehicles in a manner that provides benefits to electrical grid management affords fuel cost savings for vehicle drivers.

(3) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) The commission shall direct each electric company to file:

(A) Applications for programs to support transportation electrification; and

(B) A plan, for acceptance by the commission, that integrates the electric company’s transportation electrification actions.

(b) The applications and plan must be filed in a form and manner prescribed by the commission.

(c) A program proposed by an electric company may include prudent investments in or customer rebates for electric vehicle charging and related infrastructure.

(4) The commission may allow an electric company to recover costs from retail electricity consumers for prudent infrastructure measures to support transportation electrification if the infrastructure measures are consistent with and meet the requirements of subsection (5) of this section.

(5) If undertaken by an electric company, an infrastructure measure to support transportation electrification is a utility service and a benefit to utility customers if the infrastructure measure can be reasonably anticipated to:

(a) Support reductions of transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions over time; and

(b) Benefit the electric company’s customers in ways that may include, but need not be limited to:

(A) Distribution or transmission management benefits;

(B) Revenues to utilities from electric vehicle charging to offset utilities’ fixed costs that may otherwise be charged to customers;

(C) System efficiencies or other economic values inuring to the benefit of customers over the long term; or

(D) Increased customer choice through greater transportation electrification infrastructure deployment to increase the availability of and access to public and private electric vehicle charging stations.

(6) When considering a transportation electrification program and determining cost recovery for investments and other expenditures that are not infrastructure measures and that are related to a program proposed by an electric company under subsection (3) of this section, the commission shall consider whether the investments and other expenditures:

(a) Are within the service territory of the electric company;

(b) Are prudent as determined by the commission;

(c) Are reasonably expected to be used and useful as determined by the commission;

(d) Are reasonably expected to enable the electric company to support the electric company’s electrical system;

(e) Are reasonably expected to improve the electric company’s electrical system efficiency and operational flexibility, including the ability of the electric company to integrate variable generating resources; and

(f) Are reasonably expected to stimulate innovation, competition and customer choice in electric vehicle charging and related infrastructure and services.

(7) In undertaking infrastructure measures that involve the installation of one or more electric vehicle charging stations, an electric company must allow for customer choice in the selection of the type of electric vehicle charging station to be installed, subject to equipment eligibility as determined by the electric company. An electric company may prequalify multiple types of eligible electric vehicle charging stations based on criteria determined by the electric company.

(8) Nothing in this section restricts or prohibits a corporation, company, partnership, individual or association of individuals exempt from regulation under ORS 757.005 (Definition of public utility) (1)(b)(G) from furnishing electricity to any number of customers for use in motor vehicles.

(9) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) Tariff schedules and rates allowed pursuant to subsections (3) to (6) of this section:

(A) May allow a return of and a return on an investment made by an electric company under subsections (3) to (6) of this section; and

(B) Shall be recovered from the retail electricity consumers of an electric company in a manner determined by the commission.

(b) A return on investment allowed under this subsection may be earned for a period of time that does not exceed the depreciation schedule of the investment approved by the commission. When an electric company’s investment is fully depreciated, the commission may authorize the electric company to donate the electric vehicle charging infrastructure to the owner of the property on which the infrastructure is located.

(10) For purposes of ORS 757.355 (Costs of property not presently providing utility service excluded from rate base) , electric vehicle charging infrastructure provides utility service to the customers of an electric company.

(11) In authorizing programs described in subsection (3) of this section, the commission shall review data concerning current and future adoption of electric vehicles and utilization of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. If market barriers unrelated to the investment or expenditures made by an electric company prevent electric vehicles from adequately utilizing available electric vehicle charging infrastructure, the commission may not permit additional investments in or expenditures related to supporting transportation electrification without a reasonable showing that the investments or expenditures would not result in long-term stranded costs recoverable from the retail electricity consumers of electric companies. [2016 c.28 §20; 2021 c.23 §4; 2021 c.95 §4; 2021 c.630 §21]

Note: Sections 1 to 3, chapter 95, Oregon Laws 2021, provide:

Sec. 1. Section 2 of this 2021 Act is added to and made a part of ORS chapter 757. [2021 c.95 §1]

Sec. 2. Collection of funds to support transportation electrification. (1) As used in this section:

(a) “Distribution” has the meaning given that term in ORS 757.600 (Definitions for ORS 757.600 to 757.687) .

(b) “Electric company” has the meaning given that term in ORS 757.600 (Definitions for ORS 757.600 to 757.687) .

(c) “Retail electricity consumer” has the meaning given that term in ORS 757.600 (Definitions for ORS 757.600 to 757.687) .

(d) “Transportation electrification” has the meaning given that term in ORS 757.357 (Legislative findings) .

(2) An electric company that makes sales of electricity to 25,000 or more retail electricity consumers in this state shall collect, through monthly meter charges, an amount from each retail electricity consumer served through the distribution system owned and operated by the electric company, regardless of whether the retail electricity consumer purchases the electricity from the electric company. The total amounts collected under this section must be set to one quarter of one percent of the total revenues collected by the electric company from all retail electricity consumers.

(3) Funds collected under subsection (2) of this section must be expended by the electric company to support and integrate transportation electrification and must be consistent with a budget approved by the Public Utility Commission for use of funds collected under this section. Expenditures made by an electric company pursuant to this subsection must be made on elements contained within the electric company’s transportation electrification plan accepted by the commission pursuant to ORS 757.357 (Legislative findings) .

(4) An electric company shall account separately for all revenues and expenditures related to funds described in this section and shall report the revenues and expenditures on a schedule and in the manner prescribed by the commission.

(5) Funds collected and expended pursuant to this section shall be a minimum investment in transportation electrification and may not limit the amounts that may otherwise be collected by an electric company in rates to recover the costs of prudently incurred investments that support transportation electrification.

(6) An electric company shall make reasonable efforts to expend not less than one-half of the amount collected under subsection (2) of this section each year to support transportation electrification in underserved communities through approaches that may include but are not limited to programs, infrastructure, rebates or expenses that support:

(a) The use of electric vehicles by residents of rental or multifamily housing;

(b) The use of electric vehicles by communities of color, communities experiencing lower incomes, tribal communities, rural communities, frontier communities, coastal communities and other communities adversely harmed by environmental and health hazards;

(c) The use of electric vehicles by communities described in paragraph (b) of this subsection in areas with a low density of public charging stations; or

(d) The deployment of electric school and transit buses in a manner that benefits communities described in paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection. [2021 c.95 §2]

Sec. 3. Section 2 of this 2021 Act is repealed on January 2, 2031. [2021 c.95 §3]

Source: Section 757.357 — Legislative findings; programs to accelerate transportation electrification; tariff schedules and rates; long-term stranded costs , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 756.160 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 756 / Section 756.160
756.160 Enforcement of statutes and ordinances relating to utilities
Status: in_force

(1) The Public Utility Commission shall inquire into any neglect or violation of any law of this state or any law or ordinance of any municipality thereof relating to public utilities and telecommunications utilities by any public utility or telecommunications utility doing business therein, its officers, agents or employees and shall enforce all laws of this state relating to public utilities and telecommunications utilities and may enforce all such laws and ordinances of a municipality. The commission shall report all violations of any such laws or ordinances to the Attorney General.

(2) The Attorney General, district attorney of each county, all state, county and city police officers and police officers commissioned by a university under ORS 352.121 (University police departments and officers) or 353.125 (Creation of police department and commission of police officers) shall assist the commission in the administration and enforcement of all laws administered by the commission, and they, as well as assistants and employees of the commission, shall inform against and diligently prosecute all persons whom they have reasonable cause to believe guilty of violation of any such laws or of the rules, regulations, orders, decisions or requirements of the commission made pursuant thereto.

(3) Upon the request of the commission, the Attorney General or the district attorney of the proper county shall aid in any investigation, hearing or trial, and shall institute and prosecute all necessary suits, actions or proceedings for the enforcement of those laws and ordinances referred to in subsection (1) of this section.

(4) Any forfeiture or penalty provided for in any law administered by the commission shall be recovered by an action brought thereon in the name of the State of Oregon in any court of appropriate jurisdiction. [Amended by 1971 c.655 §23; 1973 c.776 §24; 1987 c.447 §84; 1995 c.733 §61; 2011 c.506 §46; 2013 c.180 §51]

Source: Section 756.160 — Enforcement of statutes and ordinances relating to utilities , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors756.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.285 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.285
757.285 Presumption of reasonableness of rates set by private agreement
Status: in_force

Agreements regarding rates, terms and conditions of attachments shall be deemed to be just, fair and reasonable, unless the Public Utility Commission finds upon complaint by a public utility, telecommunications utility, consumer-owned utility or licensee party to such agreement and after hearing, that such rates, terms and conditions are adverse to the public interest and fail to comply with the provisions hereof. [1979 c.356 §7; 1987 c.414 §166; 1989 c.5 §8; 1999 c.832 §8]

Source: Section 757.285 — Presumption of reasonableness of rates set by private agreement , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.814 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.814
757.814 Creation of acquisition review committee
Status: in_force

(1) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (9) of this section, the Public Utility Commission shall give notice to the cities and counties specified in paragraph (b) of this subsection whenever the commission receives notice of a proposed transaction under ORS 757.511 (Application for authority to exercise influence over utility) (2):

(A) Relating to an investor-owned utility for which approval of the Public Utility Commission is required under ORS chapter 757; and

(B) Involving the sale of 50 percent or more of the voting shares of the utility to a person that is not an affiliated interest with the utility as defined in ORS 757.015 (“Affiliated interest” defined for ORS 757.105 (1) and 757.495) .

(b) Notice under subsection (1) of this section shall be given to a city or county if the investor-owned utility that is the subject of the proposed transaction has service territory within the boundaries of the city or county.

(2) Upon receiving notice under subsection (1) of this section, each city or county may appoint a member to an acquisition review committee formed to represent the affected cities and counties. An acquisition review committee must be formed not more than 60 days after notice is given by the commission under subsection (1) of this section. If an acquisition review committee is not formed within 60 days after notice is given by the commission under subsection (1) of this section, the commission shall proceed with any application made under ORS 757.511 (Application for authority to exercise influence over utility) for approval of the transaction.

(3) An acquisition review committee formed under this section shall consider a proposed transaction described in subsection (1) of this section for the purpose of determining whether:

(a) Acquisition of the investor-owned utility by Oregon Community Power would be in the best interests of the customers served by the investor-owned utility; and

(b) Acquisition of the utility can be accomplished in a manner that is consistent with the policy described in ORS 757.910 (Policy) .

(4) An acquisition review committee created under this section may decide to enter into negotiations for the acquisition of an investor-owned utility that is the subject of a proposed transaction described in subsection (1) of this section only by the affirmative vote of members of the committee representing counties in which reside not less than two-thirds of the customers with billing accounts that are served by the incumbent utility, and the affirmative vote of members of the committee representing cities in which reside not less than two-thirds of the customers with billing accounts that are served by the incumbent utility. If an acquisition review committee determines that negotiations should commence, the committee shall:

(a) Enter into negotiations with the incumbent utility or persons that have authority to negotiate the disposition of the incumbent utility or the electric utility assets of the incumbent utility; and

(b) If the negotiations result in an agreement between the committee and the incumbent utility or persons described in paragraph (a) of this subsection, the committee shall immediately give notice to the commission and file an application with the commission under ORS 757.511 (Application for authority to exercise influence over utility) for approval of the transaction.

(5) An acquisition review committee created under this section may decide to acquire an investor-owned utility under subsection (4) of this section only by the affirmative vote of members of the committee representing counties in which reside not less than two-thirds of the customers with billing accounts that are served by the incumbent utility, and the affirmative vote of members of the committee representing cities in which reside not less than two-thirds of the customers with billing accounts that are served by the incumbent utility. An acquisition review committee may vote to acquire an incumbent utility under this subsection only after public notice and consultation with groups representing customers of the incumbent utility.

(6) An acquisition review committee must complete negotiations and vote to enter into an agreement not more than 150 days after notice is given to cities and counties under subsection (1) of this section. If the incumbent utility agrees in writing, the committee may request that the time limitation imposed by this section be extended by 90 days.

(7) If the commission approves acquisition of the incumbent utility by Oregon Community Power, the commission shall inform the Governor and the Governor shall activate Oregon Community Power by convening an initial Oregon Community Power Board Nominating Committee under section 7, chapter 807, Oregon Laws 2007. As soon as the first board of directors of Oregon Community Power is appointed under ORS 757.834 (Board of directors) , the board shall implement the agreement and acquire the incumbent utility or the electric utility assets of the incumbent utility in the name of Oregon Community Power.

(8) An acquisition review committee shall give notice to the commission immediately if the committee proposes to dissolve or decides not to enter into negotiations under subsection (4) of this section or if negotiations do not result in an agreement.

(9) The commission may not give notice to cities and counties under subsection (1) of this section if a person providing notice of a proposed transaction under ORS 757.511 (Application for authority to exercise influence over utility) (2) also provides to the commission written consent forms signed by persons with authority to act on behalf of counties in which reside not less than two-thirds of the customers with billing accounts that are served by the incumbent utility and on behalf of cities in which reside not less than two-thirds of the customers with billing accounts that are served by the incumbent utility.

(10) An acquisition review committee may enter into an agreement for the acquisition of an incumbent utility or the electric utility assets of the incumbent utility only if the committee obtains approval for the acquisition from the appropriate state agencies in all states in which the incumbent utility serves retail electricity consumers.

(11) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, Oregon Community Power is responsible for and shall pay all costs relating to the acquisition of an incumbent utility, including but not limited to:

(a) The costs of acquiring the electric utility assets of the incumbent utility;

(b) The costs of acquiring any necessary generating capacity and transmission capacity dedicated to serving the customers in the service area that will be acquired, including but not limited to electricity generating assets and alternate energy generating assets under construction but not yet in service;

(c) Depreciation;

(d) Loss of revenue to the incumbent utility; and

(e) All electric utility assets necessary to reintegrate the system of the incumbent utility after detaching the portion of the utility acquired by Oregon Community Power. [2007 c.807 §2]

Note: See note under 757.812 (Definitions for ORS 757.812 to 757.950) .

Source: Section 757.814 — Creation of acquisition review committee , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 758.405 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 758 / Section 758.405
758.405 Purpose of ORS 758.400 to 758.475
Status: in_force

The elimination and future prevention of duplication of utility facilities is a matter of statewide concern; and in order to promote the efficient and economic use and development and the safety of operation of utility services while providing adequate and reasonable service to all territories and customers affected thereby, it is necessary to regulate in the manner provided in ORS 758.400 (Definitions for ORS 758.015 and 758.400 to 758.475) to 758.475 (Fees) all persons and entities providing utility services. [Formerly 757.610]

Source: Section 758.405 — Purpose of ORS 758.400 to 758.475 , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors758.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 758.013 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 758 / Section 758.013
758.013 Operator of electric power line to provide Public Utility Commission with safety information
Status: in_force

(1) Each person who is subject to the Public Utility Commission’s authority under ORS 757.035 (Adoption of safety rules and regulations) and who engages in the operation of an electric power line as described in ORS 757.035 (Adoption of safety rules and regulations) must provide the commission with the following information before January 2 of each even-numbered year:

(a) The name and contact information of the person that is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the electric power line, and for ensuring that the electric power line is safe, on an ongoing basis; and

(b) The name and contact information of the person who is responsible for responding to conditions that present an imminent threat to the safety of employees, customers and the public.

(2) In the event that the contact information described in subsection (1) of this section changes or that ownership of the electric power line changes, the person who engages in the operation of the electric power line must notify the commission of the change as soon as practicable, but no later than within 90 days.

(3) If the person described in subsection (1) of this section is not the public utility, as defined in ORS 757.005 (Definition of public utility) , in whose service territory the electric power line is located, the commission shall make the information provided to the commission under subsection (1) of this section available to the public utility in whose service territory the electric power line is located. [2013 c.235 §3]

Source: Section 758.013 — Operator of electric power line to provide Public Utility Commission with safety information; availability of information to public utilities , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors758.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 758.265 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 758 / Section 758.265
758.265 Overhead facilities in assessment district after conversion
Status: in_force

Once converted, no overhead electric or communication facilities shall be installed, maintained or operated in any underground assessment district except as authorized by ORS 758.210 (Policy) to 758.270 (Effect of ORS 758.210 to 758.270 on existing laws and rights) . [1969 c.385 §12]

Source: Section 758.265 — Overhead facilities in assessment district after conversion , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors758.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.511 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.511
757.511 Application for authority to exercise influence over utility
Status: in_force

(1) No person, directly or indirectly, shall acquire the power to exercise any substantial influence over the policies and actions of a public utility which provides heat, light or power without first securing from the Public Utility Commission, upon application, an order authorizing such acquisition if such person is, or by such acquisition would become, an affiliated interest with such public utility as defined in ORS 757.015 (“Affiliated interest” defined for ORS 757.105 (1) and 757.495) (1), (2) or (3).

(2) Notice must be given to the commission of an application under this section at least 60 days before the application is filed with the commission. The notice must indicate whether the transaction is a transaction described in ORS 757.814 (Creation of acquisition review committee) (1). If the transaction is a transaction as described in ORS 757.814 (Creation of acquisition review committee) (1), the commission shall give notice to cities and counties as required by ORS 757.814 (Creation of acquisition review committee) (1).

(3) The application required by subsection (1) of this section shall set forth detailed information regarding:

(a) The applicant’s identity and financial ability;

(b) The background of the key personnel associated with the applicant;

(c) The source and amounts of funds or other consideration to be used in the acquisition;

(d) The applicant’s compliance with federal law in carrying out the acquisition;

(e) Whether the applicant or the key personnel associated with the applicant have violated any state or federal statutes regulating the activities of public utilities;

(f) All documents relating to the transaction giving rise to the application;

(g) The applicant’s experience in operating public utilities providing heat, light or power;

(h) The applicant’s plan for operating the public utility;

(i) How the acquisition will serve the public utility’s customers in the public interest; and

(j) Such other information as the commission may require by rule.

(4) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) The commission shall examine and investigate each application received pursuant to this section. The commission shall issue an order disposing of the application within 11 months of the date the application is filed, unless extended by agreement between the commission and applicant. If the commission determines that approval of the application will serve the public utility’s customers and is in the public interest, the commission shall issue an order granting the application. The commission may condition an order authorizing the acquisition upon the applicant’s satisfactory performance or adherence to specific requirements. The commission otherwise shall issue an order denying the application. The applicant shall bear the burden of showing that granting the application is in the public interest.

(b) In reviewing an application received pursuant to this section for an electricity or natural gas utility, the Public Utility Commission must consider the effect of the acquisition or merger on the amount of income taxes paid by the utility or its affiliated group and make any necessary adjustments to the rates of the utility, including the establishment of a balancing account to track income tax expense, to ensure that the acquisition or merger serves the utility’s customers and is in the public interest.

(5) Nothing in this section shall prohibit dissemination by any party of information concerning the acquisition so long as such dissemination is not otherwise in conflict with state or federal law. [1985 c.632 §3; 2007 c.807 §2a; 2011 c.137 §4; 2023 c.53 §2]

Source: Section 757.511 — Application for authority to exercise influence over utility; contents of application; issuance of order; dissemination of information about acquisition , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.315 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.315
757.315 When free service or reduced rates allowed
Status: in_force

(1) ORS 757.310 (Prohibition related to charges for service) does not prevent any public utility from giving free service, or reduced rates therefor, to:

(a) Its officers, directors, employees and members of their families;

(b) Former employees of such public utilities or members of their families where such former employees have become disabled in the service of such public utility or are unable from physical disqualification, including retirement, to continue in the service; or

(c) Members of families of deceased employees of such public utility.

(2) The Public Utility Commission may require any public utility to file with the commission a list, verified under oath, of all free or reduced rate privileges granted by a public utility under the provisions of this section.

(3) The Public Utility Commission may authorize a natural gas public utility, upon application of the utility, to include in rates for residential customers of the utility amounts for the purpose of generating funds to be used for bill payment assistance to low-income residential customers of the utility. [Amended by 1971 c.655 §79; 2001 c.856 §1]

Source: Section 757.315 — When free service or reduced rates allowed , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 759.315 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 759 / Section 759.315
759.315 Purposes for which securities may be issued
Status: in_force

(1) A telecommunications utility may issue stocks and bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness, and securities for the following purposes and no others, except as otherwise permitted by subsection (4) of this section:

(a) The acquisition of property, or the construction, completion, extension or improvement of its facilities.

(b) The improvement or maintenance of its service.

(c) The discharge or lawful refunding of its obligations.

(d) The reimbursement of money actually expended from income or from any other money in the treasury of the telecommunications utility not secured by or obtained from the issue of stocks or bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, or securities of such telecommunications utility, for any of the purposes listed in paragraphs (a) to (c) of this subsection except the maintenance of service and replacements, in cases where the applicant has kept its accounts and vouchers for such expenditures in such manner as to enable the Public Utility Commission to ascertain the amount of money so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.

(e) The compliance with terms and conditions of options granted to its employees to purchase its stock, if the commission first finds that such terms and conditions are reasonable and in the public interest.

(2) Before issuing such securities, a telecommunications utility, in addition to the other requirements of law, shall secure from the commission upon application an order authorizing such issue, stating:

(a) The amount of the issue and the purposes to which the issue or the proceeds thereof are to be applied;

(b) In the opinion of the commission, the money, property or labor to be procured or paid for by such issue reasonably is required for the purposes specified in the order and compatible with the public interest, which is necessary or appropriate for or consistent with the proper performance by the applicant of service as a telecommunications utility, and will not impair its ability to perform that service; and

(c) Except as otherwise permitted in the order in the case of bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, such purposes are not, in whole or in part, reasonably chargeable to operating expenses or to income.

(3) This section and ORS 759.310 (When issuance of securities void) apply to demand notes but do not apply to the issuance or renewal of a note or evidence of indebtedness maturing not more than one year after date of such issue or renewal.

(4) Nothing in ORS 759.300 (“Stocks” defined) to 759.360 (Prohibited acts regarding issuance of securities) shall prevent issuance of stock to stockholders as a stock dividend if there has been secured from the commission an order:

(a) Finding that the stock dividend is compatible with the public interest;

(b) Authorizing such issue and a transfer of surplus to capital in any amount equal to the par or stated value of the stock so authorized; and

(c) Finding that a sum equal to the amount to be so transferred was expended for the purposes enumerated in subsection (1) of this section.

(5) A telecommunications utility that derives one-half or more of its gross revenue from sources outside this state does not require commission authorization to issue stocks and bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness and any security unless the commission finds that the authorization requirements of ORS 759.310 (When issuance of securities void) and subsection (2) of this section are necessary to:

(a) Prevent the telecommunications utility from issuing securities for purposes not permitted under subsection (1) of this section; or

(b) Prevent impairment of the telecommunications utility’s ability to provide telecommunications utility services to its customers in this state. The commission shall adopt rules that set forth independently determined financial indicators upon which the commission must base any finding of impaired ability to provide utility telecommunications services. [1987 c.447 §31; 1993 c.204 §2; 2001 c.236 §1]

Source: Section 759.315 — Purposes for which securities may be issued; order required; exceptions; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors759.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.528 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.528
757.528 Greenhouse gas emissions standard applicable to consumer-owned utilities
Status: in_force

(1) Unless modified by rule by the State Department of Energy as provided in this section, the greenhouse gas emissions standard that applies to consumer-owned utilities is 1,100 pounds of greenhouse gases per megawatt-hour for a generating facility.

(2) Unless modified pursuant to subsection (4) of this section, the greenhouse gas emissions standard includes only carbon dioxide emissions.

(3) For purposes of applying the emissions standard to cogeneration facilities, the department shall establish an output-based methodology to ensure that the calculation of emissions of greenhouse gases for cogeneration facilities recognizes the total usable energy output of the process and includes all greenhouse gases emitted by the facility in the production of both electrical and thermal energy.

(4) The department shall review the greenhouse gas emissions standard established under this section no more than once every three years. After public notice and hearing, and consultation with the Public Utility Commission, the department may:

(a) Modify the emissions standard to include other greenhouse gases as defined in ORS 468A.210 (Definitions for ORS 468A.200 to 468A.260) , with the other greenhouse gases expressed as their carbon dioxide equivalent; and

(b) Modify the emissions standard based upon current information on the rate of greenhouse gas emissions from a commercially available combined-cycle natural gas generating facility that:

(A) Employs a combination of one or more gas turbines and one or more steam turbines and produces electricity in the steam turbines from waste heat produced by the gas turbines;

(B) Has a heat rate at high elevation within the boundaries of the Western Electricity Coordinating Council; and

(C) Has a heat rate at ambient temperatures when operating during the hottest day of the year.

(5) In modifying the greenhouse gas emissions standard, the department shall:

(a) Use an output-based methodology to ensure that the calculation of greenhouse gas emissions through cogeneration recognizes the total usable energy output of the process and includes all greenhouse gases emitted by the generating facility in the production of both electrical and thermal energy; and

(b) Consider the effects of the emissions standard on system reliability and overall costs to electricity consumers.

(6) If upon a review conducted pursuant to subsection (4) of this section, the department determines that a mandatory greenhouse gas emissions limit has been established pursuant to state or federal law, the department shall issue a report to the appropriate legislative committees of the Legislative Assembly stating which portions, if any, of the greenhouse gas emissions standard are no longer necessary as a matter of state law. [2009 c.751 §3]

Note: See note under 757.522 (Definitions for ORS 757.522 to 757.536) .

Source: Section 757.528 — Greenhouse gas emissions standard applicable to consumer-owned utilities; modification; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 758.545 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 758 / Section 758.545
758.545 Electric utility required to make good faith effort to transmit energy
Status: in_force

(1) If an electric utility fails to make a good faith effort to comply with a request from a qualifying facility to transmit energy or energy and capacity produced by the qualifying facility to another electric utility or to the Bonneville Power Administration, the electric utility shall purchase the qualifying facility’s energy or energy and capacity at a price which is the higher of:

(a) The electric utility’s avoided cost; or

(b) The index rate.

(2) As used in this section, “good faith effort” shall be demonstrated by the electric utility’s publication of a generally applicable, reasonable policy of the electric utility to allow a qualifying facility to use the electric utility’s transmission facilities on a cost-related basis. [1983 c.799 §5]

Source: Section 758.545 — Electric utility required to make good faith effort to transmit energy; remedy , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors758.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.485 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.485
757.485 Purchase of property or stocks of one utility by another
Status: in_force

(1) No public utility shall, directly or indirectly, purchase, acquire or become the owner of any of the stocks or bonds or property utilized for utility purposes and having a value in excess of $10,000 of any other public utility unless authorized so to do by the Public Utility Commission.

(2) Every contract by any public utility for the purchase, acquisition, assignment or transfer to it of any of the stock of any other public utility by or through any person, partnership or corporation without the approval of the commission shall be void and of no effect, and no such transfer or assignment of such stock upon the books of the corporation pursuant to any such contract is effective for any purpose. [Formerly 757.160]

Source: Section 757.485 — Purchase of property or stocks of one utility by another , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 758.230 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 758 / Section 758.230
758.230 Assessment procedure
Status: in_force

(1) Upon presentation of the petition and certificate of sufficiency, or upon adoption of an ordinance or resolution, the public authority shall proceed in the manner provided by ORS 223.389 (Procedure in making local assessments for local improvements) .

(2) Unless the charter of a county provides otherwise, a county shall declare a proposed conversion abandoned if, after notice as provided by ORS 223.389 (Procedure in making local assessments for local improvements) , objections to the conversion are received by a county court or board of county commissioners signed by more than 50 percent of the landowners within the proposed assessment district who own more than 50 percent of land within the district. If a proposed conversion is abandoned because of objections, no new proceeding for the conversion shall be undertaken within a period of one year thereafter. [1969 c.385 §5]

Source: Section 758.230 — Assessment procedure; objections to conversion , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors758.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 759.670 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 759 / Section 759.670
759.670 Presumption of reasonableness of rates set by agreement
Status: in_force

Agreements regarding rates, terms and conditions of attachments shall be deemed to be just, fair and reasonable unless the Public Utility Commission finds upon complaint by a telecommunications utility, people’s utility district or licensee party to such agreement and after hearing, that such rates, terms and conditions are adverse to the public interest and fail to comply with the provisions hereof. [1987 c.447 §26; 1989 c.5 §20]

Source: Section 759.670 — Presumption of reasonableness of rates set by agreement , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors759.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.392 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.392
757.392 Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in ORS 757.390 (Legislative findings and declarations) to 757.398 (Small natural gas utilities) :

(1) “Biogas” means a mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons, primarily methane gas, released from the biological decomposition of organic materials.

(2) “Biomass” has the meaning given that term in ORS 315.141 (Biomass production or collection) .

(3) “Large natural gas utility” means a natural gas utility with 200,000 or more customer accounts in Oregon.

(4) “Natural gas utility” means a public utility providing natural gas service to customers.

(5) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) “Qualified investment” means any capital investment in renewable natural gas infrastructure incurred by a natural gas utility for the purpose of providing natural gas service under a renewable natural gas program described in ORS 757.396 (Participating large natural gas utilities) or 757.398 (Small natural gas utilities) .

(b) “Qualified investment” does not mean an investment in a biogas production project by:

(A) A single livestock operation that produces more than 250 standard cubic feet of biogas per minute; or

(B) A single biogas source that produces more than 1,000 standard cubic feet of biogas per minute.

(6) “Renewable energy sources” means hydroelectric, geothermal, solar photovoltaic, wind, tidal, wave, biomass or biogas energy sources.

(7) “Renewable natural gas” means any of the following products processed to meet pipeline quality standards or transportation fuel grade requirements:

(a) Biogas that is upgraded to meet natural gas pipeline quality standards such that it may blend with, or substitute for, geologic natural gas;

(b) Hydrogen gas derived from renewable energy sources; or

(c) Methane gas derived from any combination of:

(A) Biogas;

(B) Hydrogen gas or carbon oxides derived from renewable energy sources; or

(C) Waste carbon dioxide.

(8) “Renewable natural gas infrastructure” means all equipment and facilities for the production, processing, pipeline interconnection and distribution of renewable natural gas to be furnished to Oregon customers.

(9) “Small natural gas utility” means a natural gas utility with fewer than 200,000 customer accounts in Oregon. [2019 c.541 §3]

Source: Section 757.392 — Definitions , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 758.017 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 758 / Section 758.017
758.017 Appeal of grant or denial of certificate of public convenience and necessity for transmission lines subject to Energy Facility Siting Council approval
Status: in_force

(1) Any party to a contested case hearing related to the application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity under ORS 758.015 (Certificate of public convenience and necessity) for a proposed transmission line for which the petitioner also seeks approval from the Energy Facility Siting Council for the same transmission line may appeal the Public Utility Commission’s grant or denial of the application. Issues on appeal shall be limited to those raised by the parties to the contested case hearing before the commission.

(2) Jurisdiction for judicial review of the commission’s approval or rejection of an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity under subsection (1) of this section is conferred upon the Supreme Court. Proceedings for review shall be instituted by filing a petition in the Supreme Court. The petition shall be filed within 60 days after the date of service of the commission’s final order. Date of service shall be the date on which the commission delivered or mailed the final order in accordance with ORS 183.470 (Orders in contested cases) .

(3) The filing of a petition for judicial review may not stay the order, except that a party to the contested case hearing may apply to the Supreme Court for a stay upon a showing that there is a colorable claim of error and that the petitioner will suffer irreparable injury.

(4) If the Supreme Court grants a stay pursuant to subsection (3) of this section, the court:

(a) Shall require the petitioner requesting the stay to give an undertaking in the amount of $5,000.

(b) May grant the stay in whole or in part.

(c) May impose other reasonable conditions on the stay.

(5) The review by the Supreme Court shall be the same as the review by the Court of Appeals described in ORS 183.482 (Jurisdiction for review of contested cases) . The Supreme Court shall give priority on its docket to a petition for review under this section and render a decision within six months of the filing of the petition for review.

(6) The following periods of delay shall be excluded from the six-month period within which the court must render a decision under subsection (5) of this section:

(a) Any period of delay resulting from a motion properly before the court; or

(b) Any reasonable period of delay resulting from a continuance granted by the court on the court’s own motion or at the request of one of the parties, if the court granted the continuance on the basis of findings that the ends of justice served by granting the continuance outweigh the best interests of the public and the other parties in having a decision within six months.

(7) No period of delay resulting from a continuance granted by the Supreme Court under subsection (6)(b) of this section shall be excluded from the six-month period unless the court sets forth, in the record, either orally or in writing, the court’s reasons for finding that the ends of justice served by granting the continuance outweigh the best interests of the public and the other parties in having a decision within six months. The factors the court shall consider in determining whether to grant a continuance under subsection (6)(b) of this section are:

(a) Whether the failure to grant a continuance in the proceeding would be likely to make a continuation of the proceeding impossible or result in a miscarriage of justice; or

(b) Whether the case is so unusual or so complex, because of the number of parties involved or the existence of novel questions of fact or law, that it is unreasonable to expect adequate consideration of the issues within the six-month period.

(8) No continuance under subsection (6)(b) of this section shall be granted because of general congestion of the court calendar or lack of diligent preparation or attention to the case by any member of the court or any party. [2013 c.335 §3]

Source: Section 758.017 — Appeal of grant or denial of certificate of public convenience and necessity for transmission lines subject to Energy Facility Siting Council approval; review vested in Supreme Court , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors758.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 758.310 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 758 / Section 758.310
758.310 Assignment or transfer of rights in exclusive service territory
Status: in_force

(1) The rights acquired by the designation of an exclusive service territory may be assigned or transferred only with the approval of the Public Utility Commission after a finding that the assignment or transfer is in the public interest. However, a hearing is not required if at least 75 percent of the affected customers agree to the proposed assignment or transfer.

(2) An order designating an exclusive service territory shall not be construed to confer any property right. However, upon the death of an applicant under an approved designation, the executor or administrator shall continue operating the water utility for the purpose of transferring such rights for a period not to exceed two years from the date of death.

(3) The territory served by a water utility under an order of the commission designating exclusive service territory shall not be altered solely as the result of a change in ownership or form of ownership. [1999 c.695 §5]

Note: See note under 758.300 (Definitions for ORS 758.300 to 758.320) .

Source: Section 758.310 — Assignment or transfer of rights in exclusive service territory; approval of commission , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors758.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.603 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.603
757.603 Electric company required to provide cost-of-service rate option to all retail electricity consumers
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in this section, an electric company shall provide all retail electricity consumers that are connected to the electric company’s distribution system with a regulated, cost-of-service rate option.

(2) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) The Public Utility Commission by order may waive the requirement in subsection (1) of this section for any retail electricity consumer other than residential electricity consumers and small commercial electricity consumers.

(b) Prior to ordering a waiver under this subsection, the commission may conduct such studies as the commission deems necessary and shall provide notice and opportunity for public comment and hearings regarding the proposed waiver.

(c) The commission may order a waiver under this subsection if the commission finds, based on the evidentiary record developed through the conducted studies, public comment and hearings, that a market exists in which retail electricity consumers subject to the waiver are able to:

(A) Purchase supplies of electricity adequate to meet the needs of the retail electricity consumers;

(B) Obtain multiple offers for electricity supplies within a reasonable period of time;

(C) Obtain reliable supplies of electricity; and

(D) Purchase electricity at prices that are not unduly volatile and that are just and reasonable.

(3) Each electric company shall provide each retail electricity consumer that is connected to its distribution system and whose electricity demand at any point of delivery is less than 30 kilowatts a portfolio of rate options. The portfolio of rate options shall include at least the following options:

(a) A rate that reflects significant new renewable energy resources;

(b) A market-based rate; and

(c) If the commission finds, through public comment and hearing or through market research conducted by the electric company, that demand is sufficient to justify the rate, a rate option for electricity associated with a specific renewable energy resource, including solar photovoltaic energy.

(4) The commission shall regulate the cost-of-service rate option under subsection (1) of this section and the portfolio of rate options under this section. The commission:

(a) Shall reasonably ensure that the costs, risks and benefits of serving each option are reflected in the rates for each option, and such rates may include a monthly flat rate or charge in addition to usage.

(b) May prohibit or otherwise limit the use of a cost-of-service rate by retail electricity consumers who have been served through direct access.

(c) May limit switching among the portfolio of rate options and the cost-of-service rate.

(5) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) As used in this subsection, “government” means a city, county, irrigation district, ditch improvement district, water control district, or government of a federally recognized Indian tribe in Oregon.

(b) An electric company may file, as part of a portfolio of rate options required under this section and if agreed to in coordination with one or more governments to meet adopted renewable and nonemitting energy goals, a program of rates or charges that reflect the cost of an electric company program to serve retail electricity consumers within the boundaries of those governments with electricity:

(A) Derived from new or existing renewable energy resources or nonemitting energy resources, including supply and demand-side resources; or

(B) Paired with unbundled renewable energy certificates, as defined in ORS 469A.005 (Definitions for ORS 469A.005 to 469A.210) , from new or existing renewable energy resources.

(c) The commission may approve a rate or charge under this subsection if:

(A) The government attests that the coordination required under paragraph (b) of this subsection occurred and the electric company includes the attestation in the filing for a program of rates or charges;

(B) The government enacts or adopts an ordinance, charter provision, resolution or other regulation requiring that retail electricity consumers within the boundaries of the government must, as determined during the coordination required by paragraph (b) of this subsection and conducted in accordance with this paragraph, be served with renewable energy resources or nonemitting energy resources, including at the option of the government, resources such as:

(i) Energy from community-based resources, including solar photovoltaic, storage, microgrids, irrigation district-owned projects, in-pipe hydroelectric, or micro-hydroelectric, that provide community cobenefits, such as:

(I) Community stability;

(II) Community reinvestment;

(III) Ownership by a nonprofit organization or renewable energy cooperative that represents an environmental justice community;

(IV) Ownership by the government;

(V) Disaster resiliency;

(VI) Water savings;

(VII) Species protection;

(VIII) Direct cost savings to customers; or

(IX) Local economic development and jobs; and

(ii) Renewable and nonemitting energy resources acquired through government specified procurement criteria which may include goals for local or diverse ownership;

(C) The ordinance, charter provision, resolution or other regulation specifies that:

(i) All eligible retail electricity consumers served within the boundaries of the government are placed on the rate schedule by the electric company, upon commission approval, but have an opportunity to decline to be served by the rate option; and

(ii) Retail electricity consumers within the boundaries of the government that are connected to the distribution system and whose electricity demand at any point of delivery is greater than 30 kilowatts may choose to be placed on the rate schedule, if the electric company determines that electricity demand at the consumer’s point of delivery is greater than 30 kilowatts because of additional demand resulting from electrification of transportation or other services, including electric vehicle charging stations, after September 25, 2021;

(D) The ordinance, charter provision, resolution or other regulation includes protections, such as subsidies or bill payment assistance, for low-income retail electricity consumers affected by the rates or charges and provides that these protections are paid for solely by retail electricity consumers within the boundaries of the government;

(E) The electric company has included in the program provisions to minimize the shifting of costs from retail electricity consumers to other customers who do not participate;

(F) The ordinance, charter provision, resolution or other regulation sets forth the duration of the program; and

(G) The electric company utilizes commission-approved procurement processes, to the extent those processes apply, and the procurement criteria agreed to with the government in subparagraph (B)(ii) of this paragraph.

(d) After the electric company receives approval to serve retail electricity consumers within the boundaries of the government according to the program of rates or charges adopted pursuant to this subsection, the electric company must:

(A) Prior to commencing the program, receive acknowledgement from the government to proceed with the program as approved by the commission and, if the government declines to proceed, shall file to suspend the rates and charges under the program;

(B) Include information on its monthly bills to participating retail electricity consumers identifying the program’s cost;

(C) Provide notice to participating retail electricity consumers of any change in rate for participation in the program; and

(D) Provide an annual report to the commission and participating governments summarizing the program activities in the prior calendar year.

(e) The commission shall allow the electric company, for purposes of the new or existing renewable energy resources or nonemitting energy resources that serve the program of rates or charges adopted pursuant to this subsection:

(A) To own the facilities or use power purchase agreements.

(B) To recover part or all of the costs associated with the resources that serve the program, including costs associated with resources described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, from all retail electricity consumers not served by an electricity service supplier, if:

(i) The electric company can demonstrate that above-market or incremental costs of those resources have been paid for by program participants;

(ii) An integrated resource plan conducted by the electric company shows an energy or capacity need and the company demonstrates that such resources are capable of meeting that need, in whole or in part;

(iii) The electric company will use the resources to meet a renewable portfolio standard imposed by ORS 469A.052 (Large utility renewable portfolio standard) ;

(iv) The resources help the electric company comply with ORS 469A.410 (Clean energy targets) ; or

(v) All customers will otherwise benefit from inclusion of the costs in rates collected from all customers.

(C) To collect moneys from participating retail electricity consumers in excess of the cost of service and defer revenues or costs associated with the program for the purposes of making future investments in resources or renewable energy certificates to serve program participants and for the purposes of protecting nonparticipating retail electricity consumers should the government end its participation in the program.

(D) To recover the costs associated with the resources that serve the program, including costs associated with resources described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, from retail electricity consumers within the boundaries of the government other than those served by electricity service suppliers, if the government ends its participation in the program and the costs are not otherwise recoverable under subparagraph (B) of this paragraph.

(6) Nothing in subsection (3) of this section prohibits an electric company from providing retail electricity consumers that are connected to its distribution system and whose electricity demand at any point of delivery is greater than 30 kilowatts a portfolio of rate options.

(7) Notwithstanding the exemption to ORS 757.600 (Definitions for ORS 757.600 to 757.687) to 757.691 (Applicability) provided by ORS 757.601 (Implementation dates for direct access and portfolio of rate options) (3), an electric company serving fewer than 25,000 customers in this state may propose a program for approval by the commission if the program meets the criteria specified in this section. [1999 c.865 §4; 2001 c.819 §2; 2015 c.556 §1; 2021 c.508 §20]

Source: Section 757.603 — Electric company required to provide cost-of-service rate option to all retail electricity consumers; waiver; portfolio of rate options for residential consumers , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 774.030 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 774 / Section 774.030
774.030 Citizens’ Utility Board
Status: in_force

(1) The Citizens’ Utility Board is hereby created as an independent nonprofit public corporation and is authorized to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

(2) The Citizens’ Utility Board has perpetual succession and it may sue and be sued, and may in its own name purchase and dispose of any interest in real and personal property, and shall have such other powers as are granted to corporations by ORS 65.077 (General powers) . No part of its net earnings shall inure to the benefit of any individual or member of the Citizens’ Utility Board.

(3) The Citizens’ Utility Board shall have all rights and powers necessary to represent and protect the interests of utility consumers, including but not limited to the following powers:

(a) To conduct, fund or contract for research, studies, plans, investigations, demonstration projects and surveys.

(b) To represent the interests of utility consumers before legislative, administrative and judicial bodies.

(c) To accept grants, contributions and appropriations from any source, and to contract for services.

(d) To adopt and modify bylaws governing the activities of the Citizens’ Utility Board. [1985 c.1 §3; 1989 c.1010 §179]

Source: Section 774.030 — Citizens’ Utility Board; powers , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors774.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 758.455 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 758 / Section 758.455
758.455 Investigation by commission respecting contracts or applications
Status: in_force

(1) The Public Utility Commission may make such investigations respecting a contract or an application for the allocation of territory as the commission deems proper including the physical examinations and evaluations of the facilities and systems of the parties to the contract, estimates of their operating costs and revenues and studies of such other information as the commission deems pertinent.

(2) Insofar as applicable and consistent herewith, the provisions of ORS 756.500 (Complaint) to 756.610 (Judicial review) shall govern the conduct of hearings.

(3) In considering competing applications to serve the same territory, there shall be a disputable presumption that applicants have an equal ability to extend, improve, enlarge, build, operate and maintain existing or proposed facilities. [Formerly 757.655]

Source: Section 758.455 — Investigation by commission respecting contracts or applications; hearing procedure , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors758.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 772.505 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 772 / Section 772.505
772.505 Definitions for ORS 772.505 to 772.520
Status: in_force

As used in ORS 772.505 (Definitions for ORS 772.505 to 772.520) to 772.520 (Resolution showing route and termini of pipeline) , unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) “Pipeline” includes pipes, lines, natural gas mains or lines and their appurtenances, including but not limited to pumps and pumping stations, used in transporting or distributing fluids, including petroleum and petroleum products or natural gases.

(2) “Pipeline company” includes any corporation, partnership or limited partnership, transporting, selling or distributing fluids, including petroleum products, or natural gases and those organized for constructing, laying, maintaining or operating pipelines, which are engaged, or which propose to engage in, the transportation of such fluids or natural gases. [Amended by 1971 c.655 §242a; 1989 c.821 §1]

Source: Section 772.505 — Definitions for ORS 772.505 to 772.520 , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors772.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 759.219 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 759 / Section 759.219
759.219 Certain taxes as operating expense
Status: in_force

The privilege tax authorized by ORS 221.515 (Privilege tax on telecommunications carriers) , or other similar exactions imposed by any municipality in this state upon telecommunications utilities for use and occupancy of streets, alleys or highways, or all of them, shall be allowed as an operating expense of the affected telecommunications utilities operating in the municipality for rate-making purposes by the Public Utility Commission. The cost of such privilege tax or other similar exactions shall be charged pro rata to the users of such telecommunications utility within the municipality unless the Public Utility Commission determines on a statewide basis that such pro rata charges would be inequitable, in whole or in part, to city ratepayers or should otherwise be borne as a statewide operating expense by the telecommunications utility. [Formerly 759.105]

Source: Section 759.219 — Certain taxes as operating expense; charge pro rata to users; condition , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors759.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 759.430 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 759 / Section 759.430
759.430 Approval of projects funded by carrier’s Telecommunications Infrastructure Account
Status: in_force

(1) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) Notwithstanding ORS 285A.075 (Department duties) (2), the Oregon Business Development Commission shall approve plans and plan modifications for projects funded by a telecommunications carrier’s Telecommunications Infrastructure Account established under ORS 759.405 (Election of regulation under ORS 759.405 and 759.410) . Projects funded from a telecommunications carrier’s Telecommunications Infrastructure Account shall be completed by the carrier and shall be substantially for the benefit of the carrier’s customers. Plans approved by the commission must be consistent with the purpose of the fund as described in ORS 759.405 (Election of regulation under ORS 759.405 and 759.410) . The commission shall give priority to projects that provide increased bandwidth between communities, route diversity and access to advanced telecommunications services in an expedited manner. The commission shall seek to ensure that an approved project is the most technically appropriate means of addressing the circumstances presented in a project plan. The commission shall review recommendations and analysis from the Connecting Oregon Communities Advisory Board established in subsection (2) of this section prior to approving a plan. Project plans may be submitted by local communities including but not limited to local governments, community institutions, citizen groups, public and private educational institutions and business groups.

(b) Under the policies and guidance of the commission, the Oregon Business Development Department shall adopt rules for the submission of project plans by telecommunications carriers and other persons, including criteria for approval of such plans. The rules shall include criteria to determine if the telecommunications carrier reasonably should be expected to make the investment based on an economic analysis of the project. Projects that are determined to meet the criteria but are not economically self-supporting or would not be undertaken in the time frame proposed shall be given priority over similar projects that would be economically self-supporting or likely would be completed in the time frame proposed. The rules shall provide for review of the economic benefits of the proposed plan to the affected community and the potential for the proposed plan to leverage other funding sources including but not limited to federal, state and private sources.

(c) The commission also shall approve expenditures from the Public Access Account of the Connecting Oregon Communities Fund established in ORS 759.445 (Connecting Oregon Communities Fund) (4).

(2) There is established within the Oregon Business Development Department the Connecting Oregon Communities Advisory Board consisting of five members appointed by the commission. The commission shall seek advice from the Governor prior to making an appointment to the advisory board.

(3) There shall be one member of the advisory board from each of the following areas:

(a) Eastern Oregon, including Hood River County;

(b) Central Oregon;

(c) Southern Oregon;

(d) Coastal Oregon; and

(e) The Willamette Valley.

(4) Employees of the Public Utility Commission, employees of state or local government who are responsible for purchasing telecommunications services or equipment and employees of a telecommunications carrier may not be appointed to the advisory board.

(5) The advisory board shall select one of its members as chairperson and another of its members as vice chairperson, for such terms and with duties and powers necessary for the performance of the functions of those offices as the board determines.

(6) The purpose of the advisory board is to review and make recommendations to the Oregon Business Development Commission for approval of and modifications to projects funded by a telecommunications carrier’s Telecommunications Infrastructure Account under this section and ORS 759.405 (Election of regulation under ORS 759.405 and 759.410) . The advisory board shall seek advice and comment on plans submitted by a telecommunications carrier from affected local communities including but not limited to local governments, citizens and businesses. The advisory board also shall seek advice and comment from state and federal agencies when appropriate to ensure that investments will maximize statewide public benefits and are consistent with the needs and desires of the local communities. The advisory board shall consider the needs of and impact on education, health care, economic development and the delivery of state and local governmental services when evaluating a plan.

(7) The advisory board also shall review proposals submitted to the commission under ORS 759.445 (Connecting Oregon Communities Fund) (5) and make recommendations to the commission regarding approval, modification or denial of the proposals.

(8) The advisory board shall make an annual report to the Joint Legislative Committee on Information Management and Technology on the plans and activities funded under ORS 759.405 (Election of regulation under ORS 759.405 and 759.410) and 759.445 (Connecting Oregon Communities Fund) (5).

(9) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) Reasonable expenses incurred by the members of the advisory board in the performance of their duties, costs of the Oregon Business Development Department directly related to providing staff to the advisory board and costs to the department for providing technical assistance to local communities shall be paid out of the Telecommunications Infrastructure Accounts created under ORS 759.405 (Election of regulation under ORS 759.405 and 759.410) .

(b) Following the transfer of funds required under ORS 759.405 (Election of regulation under ORS 759.405 and 759.410) (2) and (3), a telecommunications carrier that elects to be subject to regulation under ORS 759.405 (Election of regulation under ORS 759.405 and 759.410) and 759.410 (Intent of ORS 759.410) shall transfer from the remaining funds in its Telecommunications Infrastructure Account the following amounts to the Oregon Business Development Department to be used for the payment of expenses described in paragraph (a) of this subsection:

(A) $575,000 in 2000;

(B) $325,000 in 2001;

(C) $325,000 in 2002; and

(D) $325,000 in 2003.

(c) If more than one telecommunications carrier elects to be subject to regulation under ORS 759.405 (Election of regulation under ORS 759.405 and 759.410) and 759.410 (Intent of ORS 759.410) , the funding requirements described in paragraph (b) of this subsection shall be distributed pro rata among the electing carriers. [1999 c.1093 §31]

Source: Section 759.430 — Approval of projects funded by carrier’s Telecommunications Infrastructure Account; Connecting Oregon Communities Advisory Board; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors759.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 772.310 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 772 / Section 772.310
772.310 Right to enlarge existing irrigation system
Status: in_force

(1) When the United States, the state, or any person, firm or corporation desires to convey water for irrigation, drainage or for any other beneficial purpose, and there is a canal or ditch already constructed that can be enlarged to convey the required quantity of water, then the United States, the state, or any such person, firm or corporation, or the owner or owners of the land through which a new canal or ditch would have to be constructed to convey the quantity of water necessary, may enlarge the canal or ditch already constructed, by compensating the owner of the canal or ditch to be enlarged for the damages, if any, caused by the enlargement.

(2) The enlargement may be made at any time between October 1 and March 1, but not any other times, unless upon agreement in writing with the owner or owners of the canal or ditch.

(3) If a water right permit is required under the applicable provisions of ORS chapter 537 in order to use, store or convey water within the enlargement, a person, firm, cooperative, association or corporation may not acquire an enlargement under this section before obtaining a water right permit or obtaining a final order of the Water Resources Department approving an application for a water right permit. [Amended by 1989 c.509 §2; 1995 c.365 §9]

CONDEMNATION BY CORPORATIONS FOR REDUCTION OF ORES, MINING, QUARRIES, LUMBERING AND TRANSPORTATION OF MINING PRODUCTS

Source: Section 772.310 — Right to enlarge existing irrigation system , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors772.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 756.028 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 756 / Section 756.028
756.028 Employee statements regarding prohibited interests
Status: in_force

Each employee of the Public Utility Commission shall file with the commission a statement regarding holdings of the employee and the holdings of the employee’s spouse and minor children of any pecuniary interest in any business or activity subject to the commission’s regulatory jurisdiction. Supplementary statements shall be filed as such pecuniary interests are acquired or divested. The statements shall be in such form as the commission prescribes. If the commission determines that an employee or spouse or minor child of the employee holds any such pecuniary interest that may interfere with the impartial discharge of the employee’s duties, the commission shall order divestiture of the interest. [1971 c.655 §5]

Source: Section 756.028 — Employee statements regarding prohibited interests , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors756.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.020 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.020
757.020 Duty of utilities to furnish adequate and safe service at reasonable rates
Status: in_force

Every public utility is required to furnish adequate and safe service, equipment and facilities, and the charges made by any public utility for any service rendered or to be rendered in connection therewith shall be reasonable and just, and every unjust or unreasonable charge for such service is prohibited. [Amended by 1971 c.655 §66]

Source: Section 757.020 — Duty of utilities to furnish adequate and safe service at reasonable rates , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.738 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.738
757.738 Surcharge trust accounts related to removal of Klamath River dams
Status: in_force

(1) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) The Public Utility Commission shall establish a separate trust account for amounts generated by each of the two surcharges imposed under ORS 757.736 (Surcharges for funding costs of removing Klamath River dams) . The commission shall establish the trust accounts as interest-bearing accounts:

(A) With an agency of the United States identified in the final agreement;

(B) In a qualified depository under ORS 295.001 (Definitions for ORS 295.001 to 295.108) to 295.108 (State Treasurer rules) ; or

(C) With the State Treasurer, to be invested as provided in ORS 293.701 (Definitions for ORS 293.701 to 293.857) to 293.857 (Separate accounts for each local government) .

(b) The commission may establish each of the two trust accounts with a different trustee among those listed in paragraph (a) of this subsection.

(c) The commission may authorize transfer of funds from one trust account to another as necessary to fund removal of the Klamath River dams.

(2) If an agreement is entered into under ORS 757.742 (Public Utility Commission authorization to enter agreement with California related to cost apportionment and trust fund) (2), the parties to the agreement may agree that a portion of the amounts collected under one surcharge may be deposited in the trust account established for amounts collected under the other surcharge.

(3) Upon request of an agency of the United States, or upon request of the designee of an agency of the United States, the commission shall require the trustee of the appropriate trust account established under this section to transfer to the agency or designee the amounts that are necessary to pay the costs of removing the Klamath River dams as described in ORS 757.736 (Surcharges for funding costs of removing Klamath River dams) (11).

(4) If any amounts remain in a trust account established under this section after the trustee makes all payments necessary for the costs of removing the Klamath River dams as described in ORS 757.736 (Surcharges for funding costs of removing Klamath River dams) (11), the commission shall direct the trustee of the account to refund those amounts to customers or to otherwise use the excess amounts for the benefit of customers. [2009 c.690 §5; 2011 c.394 §2; 2019 c.587 §50]

Source: Section 757.738 — Surcharge trust accounts related to removal of Klamath River dams , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 759.355 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 759 / Section 759.355
759.355 Issuance or use of proceeds contrary to commission order
Status: in_force

No telecommunications utility shall directly or indirectly, issue or cause to be issued any stock or bond, note or other evidence of indebtedness in nonconformity with the order of the Public Utility Commission authorizing the same or contrary to the provisions of ORS 759.300 (“Stocks” defined) to 759.360 (Prohibited acts regarding issuance of securities) , or of the Constitution of this state, or apply the proceeds from the sale thereof, or any part thereof, to any purpose other than the purposes specified in the commission’s order, or to any purpose specified in the commission’s order, in excess of the amount in the order authorized for such purpose. [1987 c.447 §39]

Source: Section 759.355 — Issuance or use of proceeds contrary to commission order , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors759.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.266 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.266
757.266 Rates may encourage tree planting programs as offset to carbon dioxide emissions
Status: in_force

The Public Utility Commission of Oregon may allow a rate or rate schedule of a public utility to reflect amounts for small scale programs that enable the utility to gain experience with tree planting on underproducing forestland, as defined by the State Forestry Department, as an offset to carbon dioxide emissions. [1993 c.286 §1]

Note: 757.266 (Rates may encourage tree planting programs as offset to carbon dioxide emissions) was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 757 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

Source: Section 757.266 — Rates may encourage tree planting programs as offset to carbon dioxide emissions , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.270 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.270
757.270 Definitions for ORS 757.270 to 757.290
Status: in_force

As used in ORS 757.270 (Definitions for ORS 757.270 to 757.290) to 757.290 (Regulatory procedures) , unless the context requires otherwise:

(1) “Attachment” means any wire or cable for the transmission of intelligence by telegraph, telephone or television (including cable television), light waves, or other phenomena, or for the transmission of electricity for light, heat or power, and any related device, apparatus, or auxiliary equipment, installed upon any pole or in any telegraph, telephone, electrical, cable television or communications right of way, duct, conduit, manhole or handhole or other similar facility or facilities owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by one or more public utility, telecommunications utility or consumer-owned utility.

(2) “Consumer-owned utility” means a people’s utility district organized under ORS chapter 261, a municipal utility organized under ORS chapter 225 or an electric cooperative organized under ORS chapter 62.

(3) “Licensee” means any person, firm, corporation, partnership, company, association, joint stock association or cooperatively organized association that is authorized to construct attachments upon, along, under or across the public ways.

(4) “Public utility” has the meaning for that term provided in ORS 757.005 (Definition of public utility) , and does not include any entity cooperatively organized or owned by federal, state or local government, or a subdivision of state or local government.

(5) “Telecommunications utility” has the meaning for that term provided in ORS 759.005 (Definitions) , and does not include any entity cooperatively organized or owned by federal, state or local government or a subdivision of state or local government. [1979 c.356 §2; 1989 c.5 §4; 1999 c.832 §4]

Source: Section 757.270 — Definitions for ORS 757.270 to 757.290 , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 756.525 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 756 / Section 756.525
756.525 Parties to proceedings
Status: in_force

(1) The Public Utility Commission may permit any person to become a party who might, on the institution of the proceeding, have been such a party, if application therefor is made before the final taking of evidence in the proceeding.

(2) At any time before the final taking of evidence in a proceeding, any person may apply to the commission for permission to appear and participate in the proceeding. The commission shall determine the interest of the applicant in the proceeding and shall grant the application, subject to appropriate conditions, if the commission determines that such appearance and participation will not unreasonably broaden the issues or burden the record, and otherwise may deny the application.

(3) This section does not apply to any person who might have been an original party in a proceeding before the commission if that person is required by statute to file a pleading or other response in the proceeding within a specified time. [1971 c.655 §42]

Source: Section 756.525 — Parties to proceedings , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors756.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 772.020 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 772 / Section 772.020
772.020 Condemnation of additional land for railway purposes
Status: in_force

(1) Any railway corporation mentioned in ORS 772.010 (Right of entry for survey of proposed right of way) may condemn a sufficient quantity of land in addition to that specified in ORS 772.015 (Condemnation of lands for rights of way and necessary facilities) , for necessary sidetracks, spur tracks and laterals reasonably necessary for manufacturing establishments, also for depot and water stations, cuttings and embankments, and for the proper construction, security and convenient operation of its road.

(2) Any such railway corporation may cross, intersect, join and unite its railway with any other railway at any point in its route, and upon the grounds of such other railway corporation, and make the necessary turnouts, sidings, switches and other conveniences in furtherance of the object of its connection and may condemn to make such crossings. The railway which is or may be intersected by new railways, may unite with the owners of such new railways in forming the intersection and connection, and grant the facilities mentioned in this subsection.

Source: Section 772.020 — Condemnation of additional land for railway purposes , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors772.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.457 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.457
757.457 Definitions for ORS 757.457, 757.459, 757.461 and 757.463
Status: in_force

As used in this section and ORS 757.459 (State policy to encourage financing of certain costs and expenses by public utilities) , 757.461 (Financing of rate recovery expenditures through rate recovery bonds) and 757.463 (Security interest as collateral in rate recovery assets) :

(1) “Assignee” means a person, and any subsequent assignee, to which a public utility assigns, sells or transfers all or part of the public utility’s interest in or right to rate recovery assets, except as security.

(2) “Bond” includes bonds, notes, certificates of beneficial interests in a trust or other evidence of indebtedness.

(3) “Bondholder” means a holder or owner of a rate recovery bond.

(4) “Finance subsidiary” means an assignee at the time rate recovery bonds are issued:

(a) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(A) That is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by a public utility; or

(B) In the case of a trust, for which a public utility or subsidiary of the public utility is the grantor; or

(b) That is unaffiliated with a public utility and acquires bondable rate recovery assets from a public utility in a transaction or under an agreement that is approved by the Public Utility Commission.

(5) “Financing costs” includes the following costs related to rate recovery bonds, whether incurred and paid upon issuance or over the life of rate recovery bonds:

(a) The costs of issuing, serving, managing, repaying or refinancing rate recovery bonds, including any fees, expenses or charges incurred and the costs of any activities performed in connection with the rate recovery bonds, including:

(A) Information technology programming;

(B) Obtaining a financing order;

(C) Serving, accounting or auditing;

(D) Services related to trustees;

(E) Legal services;

(F) Consulting;

(G) Services related to financial and structuring advisors;

(H) Administration;

(I) Placement and underwriting;

(J) Services related to independent directors and managers;

(K) Services related to rating agencies;

(L) Stock exchange listing and compliance;

(M) Securities registration and filing; and

(N) Services necessary to ensure a timely payment of rate recovery bonds or other amounts or charges payable in connection with rate recovery bonds;

(b) Principal, interest and acquisition, defeasance and redemption premiums payable on rate recovery bonds;

(c) Payments required under an ancillary agreement and any amounts required to fund or replenish a reserve or account established under the terms of an indenture, ancillary agreement or financing document related to rate recovery bonds;

(d) Applicable federal, state and local taxes, franchise fees, license fees, gross receipts or other taxes or charges, whether paid, payable or accrued; and

(e) The Public Utility Commission’s costs in performing the commission’s duties related to rate recovery bonds that are recoverable by the commission under ORS 756.310 (Annual fees payable by utilities and telecommunications providers) .

(6) “Financing order” means an order issued by the Public Utility Commission that authorizes one or more the following:

(a) The recovery of rate recovery expenditures and financing costs;

(b) The creation of rate recovery assets;

(c) The issuance of rate recovery bonds;

(d) The imposition, collection and periodic adjustment of rate recovery charges; or

(e) The sale, assignment or transfer of rate recovery assets to an assignee.

(7) “Financing party” includes:

(a) Bondholders, trustees, agents and secured parties related to rate recovery bonds;

(b) A person acting for the benefit of bondholders, trustees, agents or secured parties; and

(c) A party to rate recovery bond documents or an ancillary agreement.

(8) “Public utility customer” means:

(a) For an electric utility, a retail electricity consumer, as defined in ORS 757.600 (Definitions for ORS 757.600 to 757.687) .

(b) For a natural gas utility, the end use consumer served by the natural gas utility, including those served by the natural gas utility under ORS 757.516 (Contracts between natural gas utilities and customers for commodity and services) , regardless of whether the end use consumer purchases natural gas from the natural gas utility.

(9) “Rate recovery asset” means a right to recover from customers rate recovery expenditures and associated costs and expenses approved in a financing order, including the right to:

(a) Impose, charge, bill, collect, receive, hold and apply rate recovery charges authorized under a financing order or obtain, to the extent authorized, periodic adjustments of rate recovery charges; and

(b) All claims, accounts, revenues, payments, collections, moneys or proceeds arising from the rights and interest specified in a financing order, regardless of whether the claims, accounts, revenues, payments, collections, moneys or proceeds arising from the rights and interest specified in the financing order are commingled with other claims, accounts, revenues, payments, collections, moneys or proceeds.

(10) “Rate recovery charge” means charges to public utility customers authorized by the Public Utility Commission to recover rate recovery expenditures and financing costs and to be used to pay, repay or refinance rate recovery bonds.

(11) “Rate recovery expenditures” means costs and expenses incurred or to be incurred through the date of issuance of a financing order by a public utility associated with:

(a) An event that is the subject of a federal or state declaration of a state of emergency, such as severe weather, catastrophic wildfire, pandemic or other event that causes or threatens to cause widespread loss of life, injury to person or property, human suffering or financial loss, except those costs and expenses that are or are associated with criminal or civil fines or penalties or judgments from a civil action based on negligence related to the event.

(b) An energy conservation program that provides loans and cash payments to public utility customers for the installation of energy conservation measures funded by the public utility including, but not limited to, the costs or expenditures for specific acquisition program development, promotion and labor costs and associated general supervision, rents, leases and overheads.

(12) “Secured party” means a financing party that has been granted a security interest in rate recovery assets. [2023 c.529 §1]

Source: Section 757.457 — Definitions for ORS 757.457, 757.459, 757.461 and 757.463 , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.518 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.518
757.518 Elimination of coal-fired resources from allocations of electricity
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this section:

(a) “Allocation of electricity” means, for the purpose of setting electricity rates, the costs and benefits associated with the resources used to provide electricity to an electric company’s retail electricity consumers that are located in this state.

(b) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(A) “Coal-fired resource” means a facility that uses coal-fired generating units, or that uses units fired in whole or in part by coal as feedstock, to generate electricity.

(B) “Coal-fired resource” does not include a facility generating electricity that is included as part of a limited duration wholesale power purchase made by an electric company for immediate delivery to retail electricity consumers that are located in this state for which the source of the power is not known.

(c) “Electric company” has the meaning given that term in ORS 757.600 (Definitions for ORS 757.600 to 757.687) .

(d) “Retail electricity consumer” has the meaning given that term in ORS 757.600 (Definitions for ORS 757.600 to 757.687) .

(2) On or before January 1, 2030, an electric company shall eliminate coal-fired resources from its allocation of electricity.

(3) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) The Public Utility Commission shall adjust any schedule of depreciation approved by the commission for an electric company’s coal-fired resource if:

(A) The electric company holds a minority ownership share in only one coal-fired resource, with no more than four generating units; and

(B) The electric company serves at least 800,000 retail electricity consumers and only retail electricity consumers that are located in this state.

(b) The adjusted depreciation schedule described in paragraph (a) of this subsection must require the coal-fired resource described in paragraph (a)(A) of this subsection to be fully depreciated on or before December 31, 2030.

(4) Notwithstanding subsections (2) and (3) of this section, for the number of years requested by the electric company, not to exceed five years after the coal-fired resource is fully depreciated, the commission shall authorize an electric company described in subsection (3) of this section to include in the company’s allocation of electricity the costs and benefits associated with the coal-fired resource described in subsection (3)(a)(A) of this section if:

(a) The electric company requests the commission to authorize the allocation of electricity; or

(b) The owners of the coal-fired resource agree to close the coal-fired resource on or before the date that is five years after the date the coal-fired resource is fully depreciated.

(5) For purposes of evaluating the prudence of an investment decision regarding a coal-fired resource made after March 8, 2016, or an investment related to the continued operation of a coal-fired resource made after March 8, 2016, the useful life of the coal-fired resource may not be considered to be any later than January 1, 2030, unless the commission determines otherwise.

(6) Notwithstanding ORS 757.355 (Costs of property not presently providing utility service excluded from rate base) , this section does not prevent the full recovery of prudently incurred costs related to the decommissioning or remediation of a coal-fired resource or the closure of a coal-fired resource, at the time those costs are incurred. [2016 c.28 §1]

Note: 757.518 (Elimination of coal-fired resources from allocations of electricity) and 757.519 (Consideration of net gain or net loss upon sale of coal-fired resource for allocation to certain retail electricity consumers) were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 757 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

Source: Section 757.518 — Elimination of coal-fired resources from allocations of electricity; depreciation; exception; useful life of coal-fired resources; rates , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.855 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.855
757.855 Funding of preliminary activities and negotiations
Status: in_force

(1) Following a request by an acquisition review committee under ORS 757.862 (Request to Public Utility Commission for transfer of funds) , the Public Utility Commission shall transfer from the Public Utility Commission Account to the Oregon Community Power Utility Acquisition Fund established under ORS 757.857 (Oregon Community Power Utility Acquisition Fund) all amounts necessary to fund any preliminary activities needed to determine:

(a) The appropriateness or desirability of an acquisition described in ORS 757.812 (Definitions for ORS 757.812 to 757.950) to 757.950 (Authorization to issue and sell revenue bonds) ;

(b) The requirements and terms of the acquisition; and

(c) Any due diligence activities related to the acquisition and the negotiations for the acquisition.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commission may increase the rates of an incumbent utility in order to recover the costs incurred in negotiating an acquisition by an acquisition review committee under ORS 757.814 (Creation of acquisition review committee) (4).

(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commission may assess a fee on an incumbent utility in order to fund the transfer described in subsection (1) of this section. [2007 c.807 §12]

Note: See note under 757.812 (Definitions for ORS 757.812 to 757.950) .

Source: Section 757.855 — Funding of preliminary activities and negotiations , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 758.300 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 758 / Section 758.300
758.300 Definitions for ORS 758.300 to 758.320
Status: in_force

As used in ORS 758.300 (Definitions for ORS 758.300 to 758.320) to 758.320 (Application of ORS 758.300 to 758.320 to cities) :

(1) “Commission” means the Public Utility Commission.

(2) “Community water supply system” means a water source and distribution system, whether publicly or privately owned, that serves more than three residences or other users to whom water is provided for public consumption, including but not limited to schools, farm labor camps, industrial establishments, recreational facilities, restaurants, motels, mobile home parks or group care homes.

(3) “Water utility” means any corporation, company, individual or association of individuals, or its lessees, trustees or receivers, that owns, operates, manages or controls all or a part of any plant or equipment in this state for the production, transmission, delivery or furnishing of water, directly or indirectly to or for the public, whether or not such plant or equipment or part thereof is wholly within any town or city. “Water utility” does not include a municipal corporation. [1999 c.695 §1]

Note: 758.300 (Definitions for ORS 758.300 to 758.320) to 758.320 (Application of ORS 758.300 to 758.320 to cities) were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 758 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

Source: Section 758.300 — Definitions for ORS 758.300 to 758.320 , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors758.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 756.561 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 756 / Section 756.561
756.561 Rehearing
Status: in_force

(1) After an order has been made by the Public Utility Commission in any proceeding, any party thereto may apply for rehearing or reconsideration thereof within 60 days from the date of service of such order. The commission may grant such a rehearing or reconsideration if sufficient reason therefor is made to appear.

(2) No such application shall excuse any party against whom an order has been made by the commission from complying therewith, nor operate in any manner to stay or postpone the enforcement thereof without the special order of the commission.

(3) If a rehearing is granted, the proceedings thereupon shall conform as nearly as possible to the proceedings in an original hearing, except as the commission otherwise may direct. If in the judgment of the commission, after such rehearing and the consideration of all facts, including those arising since the former hearing, the original order is in any respect unjust or unwarranted, the commission may reverse, change or modify the same accordingly. Any order made after such rehearing, reversing, changing or modifying the original determination is subject to the same provisions as an original order. [Formerly 756.570]

Source: Section 756.561 — Rehearing; reconsideration , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors756.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 774.160 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 774 / Section 774.160
774.160 Disposition of complaints
Status: in_force

Citizens’ Utility Board may submit to the appropriate agency any complaint it receives regarding a utility company. Public agencies shall periodically inform Citizens’ Utility Board of any action taken on complaints received pursuant to this section. [1985 c.1 §13]

Source: Section 774.160 — Disposition of complaints , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors774.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 759.210 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 759 / Section 759.210
759.210 Classification of service and rates
Status: in_force

(1) The Public Utility Commission shall provide for a comprehensive classification of service for each telecommunications utility. The classification may take into account the quantity used, the time when used, the purpose for which used, the existence of price competition or a service alternative, the services being provided, the conditions of service and any other reasonable consideration. Based on these considerations the commission may authorize classifications or schedules of rates applicable to individual customers or groups of customers. Each telecommunications utility is required to conform its schedules of rates to such classification. If the commission determines that a tariff filing under ORS 759.175 (Filing rate schedules and data with commission) results in a rate classification primarily related to price competition or a service alternative, the commission, at a minimum, shall consider the following:

(a) Whether the rate generates revenues at least sufficient to cover relevant short and long run costs of the utility during the term of the rates; and

(b) Whether the rate generates revenues sufficient to insure that just and reasonable rates are established for remaining customers of the telecommunications utility.

(2) The commission may prescribe any changes in the form in which the schedules are issued by any telecommunications utility as the commission finds to be expedient. The commission shall adopt rules that allow any person who requests notice of tariff filings described under subsection (1) of this section to receive such notice. [1987 c.447 §17; 1989 c.5 §17; 2005 c.232 §18]

Source: Section 759.210 — Classification of service and rates; considerations; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors759.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 772.520 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 772 / Section 772.520
772.520 Resolution showing route and termini of pipeline
Status: in_force

(1) Prior to the filing of any condemnation action under ORS 772.510 (Right of entry and condemnation by pipeline companies) , the pipeline company shall adopt a resolution showing the approximate route and termini of the proposed pipeline, or the extension or branch of any existing pipeline.

(2) A copy of this resolution, certified by the pipeline company, shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State, in the office of each county clerk of those counties where such pipeline, extension or branch of an existing pipeline is proposed to be constructed, and also in the office of the Public Utility Commission. [Amended by 1989 c.821 §4]

Source: Section 772.520 — Resolution showing route and termini of pipeline , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors772.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 759.695 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 759 / Section 759.695
759.695 Program for assistive telecommunication devices and communication facilitator services
Status: in_force

(1) With the advice of the Telecommunication Devices Access Program Advisory Committee, the Public Utility Commission shall establish and administer a statewide program to:

(a) Purchase and distribute assistive telecommunication devices to persons who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired and establish a telecommunications relay service; and

(b) Provide communication facilitator services to persons who are deaf-blind when the services are necessary.

(2) With the advice of the Telecommunication Devices Access Program Advisory Committee, the Public Utility Commission shall establish and administer a statewide program to purchase and distribute adaptive equipment to make telephone service generally available to persons with physical disabilities. [1987 c.290 §11; 1991 c.872 §4; 1999 c.384 §3; 2007 c.70 §355; 2011 c.78 §3; 2011 c.264 §3; 2019 c.113 §3]

Source: Section 759.695 — Program for assistive telecommunication devices and communication facilitator services; program for adaptive equipment , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors759.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 758.220 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 758 / Section 758.220
758.220 Authority for conversion to underground facilities
Status: in_force

(1) A public authority shall have the power to require the conversion of overhead electric or communication facilities to underground facilities; to provide and receive funds to pay for such conversion; and to assess the whole or any part of the cost thereof against the real property included in the underground assessment district specially benefited by such conversion.

(2) An underground assessment district shall include an area having a frontage of not less than 400 feet upon a public street, road or highway along which overhead electric or communication facilities are located.

(3) An underground assessment district:

(a) Created by a city, may include area along city streets, county roads and state highways or any part thereof located within the district.

(b) Created by a county, may include areas along county roads, state highways or any part thereof located within the district. [1969 c.385 §3]

Source: Section 758.220 — Authority for conversion to underground facilities; formation of assessment district , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors758.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.522 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.522
757.522 Definitions for ORS 757.522 to 757.536
Status: in_force

As used in ORS 757.522 (Definitions for ORS 757.522 to 757.536) to 757.536 (Public Utility Commission review of plans and rates to ensure compliance with greenhouse gas emissions standard) :

(1) “Additional interest” means:

(a) The acquisition, by the holder of an interest in a generating facility located in Oregon, of a separate interest in that generating facility that is producing energy and is in service for tax purposes, commercially operable or in rates on July 1, 2010; and

(b) The renewal of an existing contract of five or more years that includes the acquisition of baseload electricity for an additional term of five or more years where the expected greenhouse gas emissions profile of the contract renewal is substantially similar to that of the previous contract.

(2) “Annual plant capacity factor” means the ratio of the electricity produced by a generating facility during one year, measured in kilowatt-hours, to the electricity the generating facility could have produced if it had been operated at its rated capacity throughout the same year, expressed in kilowatt-hours.

(3) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) “Baseload electricity” means electricity produced by a generating facility that is designed and intended, at the time a site certificate is issued to the owner of the facility or a permit authorizing the construction and operation of the facility is issued to the owner of the facility by another state or country, to provide electricity on a continuous basis at an annual plant capacity factor of at least 60 percent.

(b) “Baseload electricity” does not include electricity from:

(A) A qualifying facility under the federal Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, 16 U.S.C. 2601 to 2645;

(B) A generating source that uses natural gas or petroleum distillates as a fuel source and that is primarily used to serve either peak demand or to integrate energy from a renewable energy source described in ORS 469A.025 (Renewable energy sources) ; or

(C) A generating facility that:

(i) Previously used coal as the facility’s primary fuel source;

(ii) Is owned in whole or in part by an electric company; and

(iii) Currently uses natural gas or another resource as the facility’s primary fuel source.

(4) “Construction” has the meaning given that term in ORS 469.300 (Definitions) .

(5) “Consumer-owned utility” has the meaning given that term in ORS 757.600 (Definitions for ORS 757.600 to 757.687) .

(6) “Electric company” has the meaning given that term in ORS 757.600 (Definitions for ORS 757.600 to 757.687) .

(7) “Electricity service supplier” has the meaning given that term in ORS 757.600 (Definitions for ORS 757.600 to 757.687) .

(8) “Generating facility” includes one or more jointly operated electricity generators that use the same fuel type, have the same in-service date and operate at the same location as described in ORS 469.300 (Definitions) .

(9) “Governing board” means the legislative authority of a consumer-owned utility.

(10) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) “Long-term financial commitment” means an investment in or upgrade of a generating facility that produces baseload electricity, or a contract with a term of more than five years, beginning on the date on which the contract is executed, that includes acquisition of baseload electricity.

(b) “Long-term financial commitment” does not include:

(A) Routine or necessary maintenance;

(B) Installation of emission control equipment;

(C) Installation, replacement or modification of equipment that improves the heat rate of the facility or reduces a generating facility’s pounds of greenhouse gases per megawatt-hour of electricity;

(D) Installation, replacement or modification of equipment where the primary purpose is to maintain reliable generation output capability and not to extend the life of the generating facility, and that does not increase the heat input or fuel usage as specified in existing generation air quality permits, but that may result in incidental increases in generation capacity;

(E) Repairs necessitated by sudden and unexpected equipment failure; or

(F) An acquisition of an additional interest.

(11) “Output-based methodology” means a greenhouse gas emissions standard that is expressed in pounds of greenhouse gases emitted per megawatt-hour, factoring in the useful thermal energy employed for purposes other than the generation of electricity.

(12) “Site certificate” has the meaning given that term in ORS 469.300 (Definitions) .

(13) “Upgrade” means any modification made for the primary purpose of increasing the electric generation capacity of a baseload facility. [2009 c.751 §1; 2013 c.172 §1]

Note: 757.522 (Definitions for ORS 757.522 to 757.536) to 757.538 (Rules) were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 757 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

Source: Section 757.522 — Definitions for ORS 757.522 to 757.536 , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 756.014 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 756 / Section 756.014
756.014 Public Utility Commission
Status: in_force

(1) There is created the Public Utility Commission of Oregon. The commission shall be composed of three members appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate pursuant to section 4, Article III of the Oregon Constitution. No more than two of such members shall be of the same political party.

(2) Each commissioner shall hold office for the term of four years. A commissioner shall hold office until a successor has been appointed and qualified. The chairperson shall be designated by the Governor and shall serve as chairperson at the pleasure of the Governor.

(3) Any vacancy occurring in the office of commissioner shall be filled by appointment by the Governor to hold office for the balance of the unexpired term.

(4) The Governor may at any time remove a commissioner for any cause deemed by the Governor sufficient. Before such removal the Governor shall give the commissioner a copy of the charges, and shall fix a time when the commissioner can be heard, which shall not be less than 10 days thereafter. The hearing shall be open to the public. If the commissioner is removed, the Governor shall file in the office of the Secretary of State a complete statement of all charges made against the commissioner, and the findings thereon with a record of the proceedings. Such power of removal is absolute, and there is no right of review of the same in any court. [1985 c.834 §2; 1999 c.1102 §1]

Source: Section 756.014 — Public Utility Commission; appointment; confirmation; term; removal , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors756.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 772.105 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 772 / Section 772.105
772.105 Authority to appropriate
Status: in_force

(1) When it is necessary or convenient in the location of any railway to appropriate any part of any public road, street, alley or public grounds not within the corporate limits of a municipal corporation, the county court of the county wherein such road, street, alley or public grounds is located, may agree with the corporation constructing the road, upon the extent, terms and conditions upon which the same may be appropriated or used, and occupied by such corporation. If the parties are unable to agree, the corporation may appropriate so much thereof as is necessary and convenient in the location and construction of the road.

(2) Whenever a private corporation is authorized to appropriate any public highway or grounds as mentioned in subsection (1) of this section, within the limits of any town, whether incorporated or not, such corporation shall locate their road upon such particular road, street, alley or public grounds, within such town as the local authorities designate. If the local authorities fail to make such designation within a reasonable time when requested, the corporation may make such appropriation without reference thereto. [Amended by 1971 c.655 §239]

Source: Section 772.105 — Authority to appropriate , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors772.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 774.180 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 774 / Section 774.180
774.180 Intervention in agency proceedings affecting utility consumers
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of law:

(1) Whenever the board determines that any agency proceeding may affect the interests of utility consumers, Citizens’ Utility Board may intervene as of right as an interested party or otherwise participate in the proceeding.

(2) Citizens’ Utility Board shall have standing to obtain judicial or administrative review of any agency action, and may intervene as of right as a party or otherwise participate in any proceeding which involves the review or enforcement of any action by an agency, if the board determines that the action may affect the interests of utility consumers. [1985 c.1 §14]

Source: Section 774.180 — Intervention in agency proceedings affecting utility consumers; standing to obtain judicial or administrative review , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors774.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 759.220 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 759 / Section 759.220
759.220 Joint rates and classifications
Status: in_force

(1) A telecommunications utility may establish reasonable through service and joint rates and classifications with other telecommunications utilities. Telecommunications utilities establishing joint rates shall establish just and reasonable regulations and practices in connection therewith and just, reasonable and equitable divisions thereof, as between the public utilities participating therein which shall not unduly prefer or prejudice any of the participating telecommunications utilities and every unjust and unreasonable rate, classification, regulation, practice and division is prohibited.

(2) The Public Utility Commission may, and shall, whenever deemed by the commission to be necessary or desirable in the public interest, after full hearing upon complaint, or upon the commission’s own initiative without complaint, establish through service, classifications and joint rates, the divisions of such rates and the terms and conditions under which such through service shall be rendered. If any tariff or schedule canceling any through service or joint rate or classification without the consent of all the telecommunications utilities party thereto, or authorization by the commission is suspended by the commission for investigation, the burden of proof is upon the telecommunications utility proposing such cancellation to show that it is consistent with the public interest.

(3) Whenever, after full hearing upon complaint or upon the commission’s own initiative without complaint, the commission is of the opinion that the divisions of joint rates between the telecommunications utilities are or will be unjust, unreasonable, inequitable or unduly preferential or prejudicial as between the telecommunications utilities party thereto, whether agreed upon by such telecommunications utilities or otherwise established, the commission shall, by order, prescribe the just, reasonable and equitable divisions thereof to be received by the several telecommunications utilities. In cases where the joint rate was established pursuant to the finding or order of the commission and the divisions thereto are found by the commission to have been unjust, unreasonable or inequitable, or unduly preferential or prejudicial, the commission may also by order determine what, for the period subsequent to the filing of the complaint or petition or the making of the order of investigation, would have been the just, reasonable and equitable division thereof to be received by the several telecommunications utilities and require adjustment to be made in accordance therewith.

(4) In so prescribing and determining the divisions of joint rates, the commission shall give due consideration, among other things, to:

(a) The efficiency with which the telecommunications utilities concerned are operated;

(b) The amount of revenue to pay their respective operating expenses, taxes and a fair return on their telecommunications utility property held for and used in service;

(c) The importance to the public of the services of such telecommunications utilities;

(d) Whether any particular participating telecommunications utility is an originating, intermediate or delivering utility; and

(e) Any other fact or circumstance which ordinarily would entitle one telecommunications utility to a greater or less proportion of the joint rate than another. [1987 c.447 §19]

Source: Section 759.220 — Joint rates and classifications; procedure; considerations , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors759.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.732 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.732
757.732 Definitions for ORS 757.732 to 757.744
Status: in_force

As used in ORS 757.732 (Definitions for ORS 757.732 to 757.744) to 757.744 (Disclaimers) :

(1) “Agreement in principle” means the agreement signed November 13, 2008, by the states of Oregon and California, by the United States Department of the Interior and by PacifiCorp.

(2) “Allocated share” means the portion of PacifiCorp’s costs assigned to this state under the interjurisdictional cost allocation methodology used by the Public Utility Commission for the purpose of establishing rates for PacifiCorp.

(3) “Customers” means the Oregon retail electricity customers of PacifiCorp.

(4) “Final agreement” means a successor agreement to the agreement in principle.

(5) “Klamath River dam” means the J.C. Boyle Dam located in Oregon, the Copco 1 Dam located in California, the Copco 2 Dam located in California or the Iron Gate Dam located in California. [2009 c.690 §2]

Source: Section 757.732 — Definitions for ORS 757.732 to 757.744 , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 758.282 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 758 / Section 758.282
758.282 Immunity of electric utility for pruning or removing vegetation in certain cases
Status: in_force

(1) An electric utility is immune from any civil liability for pruning or removing vegetation that is growing on property on which electric facilities are located, or growing on property that is adjacent to property on which electric facilities are located, if the pruning or removal is consistent with policies of the Public Utility Commission relating to the pruning or removal of vegetation, or is consistent with a local ordinance or resolution applicable to the property that relates to the pruning or removal of vegetation, and:

(a) The vegetation has come in contact with or caused damage to electric facilities; or

(b) Pruning or removing the vegetation is necessary to protect life or property or to restore electric service.

(2) ORS 105.810 (Treble damages for injury to or removal of produce, trees or shrubs) and 105.815 (When double damages are awarded for trespass) do not apply to any claim against an electric utility based on the pruning or removal of vegetation growing on property on which electric facilities are located, or growing on property that is adjacent to property on which electric facilities are located. [2001 c.420 §2]

Note: See note under 758.280 (Definitions for ORS 758.280 to 758.286) .

Source: Section 758.282 — Immunity of electric utility for pruning or removing vegetation in certain cases , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors758.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.396 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.396
757.396 Participating large natural gas utilities
Status: in_force

(1) A large natural gas utility that participates in the large renewable natural gas program adopted by rule by the Public Utility Commission under ORS 757.394 (Renewable natural gas programs) (1) may make qualified investments and procure renewable natural gas from third parties to meet the following portfolio targets for the percentage of gas purchased by the large natural gas utility for distribution to retail natural gas customers in Oregon that is renewable natural gas:

(a) In each of the calendar years 2020 through 2024, five percent may be renewable natural gas;

(b) In each of the calendar years 2025 through 2029, 10 percent may be renewable natural gas;

(c) In each of the calendar years 2030 through 2034, 15 percent may be renewable natural gas;

(d) In each of the calendar years 2035 through 2039, 20 percent may be renewable natural gas;

(e) In each of the calendar years 2040 through 2044, 25 percent may be renewable natural gas; and

(f) In each of the calendar years 2045 through 2050, 30 percent may be renewable natural gas.

(2) The commission shall adopt ratemaking mechanisms that ensure the recovery of all prudently incurred costs that contribute to the large natural gas utility’s meeting the targets set forth in subsection (1) of this section. Pursuant to the ratemaking mechanisms adopted under this subsection:

(a) Qualified investments and operating costs associated with qualified investments that contribute to the large natural gas utility meeting the targets set forth in subsection (1) of this section may be recovered by means of an automatic adjustment clause, as defined in ORS 757.210 (Hearing to establish new schedules) .

(b) Costs of procurement of renewable natural gas from third parties that contribute to the large natural gas utility meeting the targets set forth in subsection (1) of this section may be recovered by means of an automatic adjustment clause, as defined in ORS 757.210 (Hearing to establish new schedules) , or another recovery mechanism authorized by rule.

(3) When a large natural gas utility makes a qualified investment in the production of renewable natural gas, the costs associated with the qualified investment shall include the cost of capital established by the commission in the large natural gas utility’s most recent general rate case.

(4) Before making a qualified investment in biogas production that is upstream of conditioning equipment, pipeline interconnection or gas cleaning, a large natural gas utility shall engage in a competitive bidding process.

(5) If the large natural gas utility’s total incremental annual cost to meet the targets of the large renewable natural gas program exceeds five percent of the large natural gas utility’s total revenue requirement for an individual year, the large natural gas utility may no longer be authorized to make additional qualified investments under the large renewable natural gas program for that year without approval from the commission.

(6) The total incremental annual cost to meet the targets of the large renewable natural gas program must account for:

(a) Any value received by a large natural gas utility upon any resale of renewable natural gas, including any environmental credits that the renewable natural gas producer chooses to include with the sale of the renewable natural gas to the large natural gas utility; and

(b) Any savings achieved through avoidance of conventional gas purchases or development, such as avoided pipeline costs or carbon costs. [2019 c.541 §5]

Source: Section 757.396 — Participating large natural gas utilities; portfolio targets; ratemaking mechanisms; qualified investments , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.516 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.516
757.516 Contracts between natural gas utilities and customers for commodity and services
Status: in_force

(1) Following a Public Utility Commission determination that such services are subject to competition, a natural gas utility may enter into a contract with any customer for the provision of natural gas commodity, rights to pipeline capacity and natural gas transportation services when such services are provided in advance of the point of interconnection between the facility of the natural gas utility and the facility of an interstate pipeline.

(2) Contracts for services described under subsection (1) of this section are not schedules of rates, tolls or charges within the meaning of ORS 757.205 (Filing schedules with commission) and are not subject to the requirements of ORS 757.205 (Filing schedules with commission) , 757.230 (Control of commission over classification of services and forms of schedules) and 757.310 (Prohibition related to charges for service) .

(3) A contract for services described under subsection (1) of this section may include services provided after the point of interconnection between a natural gas utility’s facility and the interstate pipeline’s facility. Services provided after the point of interconnection are subject to the requirements of ORS 757.205 (Filing schedules with commission) , 757.230 (Control of commission over classification of services and forms of schedules) and 757.310 (Prohibition related to charges for service) and shall be separately priced in accordance with the utility’s filed tariffs.

(4) A natural gas utility entering contracts for services described under subsection (1) of this section shall make available to the commission any information necessary for review of such contracts for ratemaking purposes. Notwithstanding ORS 192.311 (Definitions for ORS 192.311 to 192.478) to 192.478 (Exemption for Judicial Department) , the commission shall not release the terms of any contract or portion of a contract for services described in subsection (1) of this section without the consent of the customer and the natural gas utility except for contracts entered into between a natural gas utility and an affiliated interest of that natural gas utility. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a contract for services described in subsection (1) of this section between a natural gas utility and another public utility may be released by the commission pursuant to a hearing held under ORS 757.210 (Hearing to establish new schedules) .

(5) Nothing in this section shall restrict the commission from subsequent investigation of the reasonableness of contracts entered into under subsection (1) of this section for ratemaking purposes. The commission’s review of such contracts for ratemaking purposes shall not in any way affect the obligations or rights of the parties under the contracts.

(6) In accordance with ORS 756.515 (Investigations and hearings on commission’s own motion) , the commission may investigate the activities of a natural gas utility related to contracts described under subsection (1) of this section. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if the commission finds that the activities of a natural gas utility have not generally been in the public interest, the commission, by order, may require the natural gas utility to file all future contracts described under subsection (1) of this section as provided under ORS 757.205 (Filing schedules with commission) or 757.240 (Filing schedules in business office) . Any such finding by the commission shall not affect the obligations or rights of the parties under any existing contracts.

(7) Nothing in this section, nor any action taken by the commission pursuant to this section, shall be deemed state action for the purpose of exempting a natural gas utility from liability for anticompetitive conduct or other unlawful practices.

(8) As used in this section, “natural gas utility” means a public utility providing natural gas service to customers. [1993 c.485 §2]

Source: Section 757.516 — Contracts between natural gas utilities and customers for commodity and services; determination by commission of reasonableness of contract and utility activities , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.734 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.734
757.734 Recovery of investment in Klamath River dams
Status: in_force

(1) Not more than six months after the execution of a final agreement, the Public Utility Commission shall determine a depreciation schedule under ORS 757.140 (Depreciation accounts) for each Klamath River dam based on the assumption that the dam will be removed in 2020. The commission may change a depreciation schedule determined under this section at any time if removal of a dam will occur during a year other than 2020.

(2) The commission shall use the depreciation schedules prepared under this section to establish rates and tariffs for the recovery of Oregon’s allocated share of undepreciated amounts prudently invested by PacifiCorp in a Klamath River dam. Amounts recoverable under this section include, but are not limited to:

(a) Return of investment and return on investment;

(b) Capital improvements required by the United States or any state for continued operation of the dam until dam removal;

(c) Amounts spent by PacifiCorp in seeking relicensing of the dam before July 14, 2009;

(d) Amounts spent by PacifiCorp for settlement of the issues of relicensing or removal of the dam; and

(e) Amounts spent by PacifiCorp for the decommissioning of the dam in anticipation of the dam’s removal.

(3) If any amount specified under subsection (2) of this section has not been recovered by PacifiCorp before a dam is removed, the Public Utility Commission shall allow recovery of that amount by PacifiCorp in PacifiCorp’s rates and tariffs. The commission shall allow the recovery without an amortization schedule if the impact of the recovery does not exceed one-half of one percent of PacifiCorp’s annual revenue requirement. If the impact exceeds one-half of one percent of PacifiCorp’s annual revenue requirement, the commission may establish an amortization schedule that limits the annual impact to one-half of one percent of PacifiCorp’s annual revenue requirement. [2009 c.690 §3]

Source: Section 757.734 — Recovery of investment in Klamath River dams , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 756.350 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 756 / Section 756.350
756.350 Penalty for failure to pay fees
Status: in_force

Every person who fails to pay any fees provided for in ORS 756.310 (Annual fees payable by utilities and telecommunications providers) or 756.320 (Statements accompanying fees) after they are due and payable shall, in addition to such fees, pay a penalty of two percent of such fees for each and every month or fraction thereof that they remain unpaid. If, in the judgment of the Public Utility Commission, action is necessary to collect any unpaid fees or penalties, the commission shall bring such action or take such proceedings as may be necessary thereon in the name of the State of Oregon in any court of competent jurisdiction, and be entitled to recover all costs and disbursements incurred therein. [Amended by 1971 c.655 §29]

Source: Section 756.350 — Penalty for failure to pay fees; action to collect unpaid fees and penalties , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors756.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 759.350 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 759 / Section 759.350
759.350 Limitation on authority of utility to guarantee debt of another
Status: in_force

No telecommunications utility shall assume any obligation or liability as guarantor, indorser, surety or otherwise in respect to the securities of any other person, firm or corporation, when such securities are payable at periods of more than 12 months after the date thereof, without first having secured from the Public Utility Commission an order authorizing it to do so. Every assumption made other than in accordance with such an order is void. [1987 c.447 §38]

Source: Section 759.350 — Limitation on authority of utility to guarantee debt of another , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors759.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.924 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.924
757.924 Portfolio access to electricity service providers
Status: in_force

The board of directors of Oregon Community Power shall determine whether and under what conditions Oregon Community Power will offer retail electricity consumers portfolio access to electricity service suppliers. The board shall have sole authority to determine:

(1) The quality and nature of electricity services, including but not limited to different product and pricing options, that will be made available to its retail electricity consumers.

(2) The extent to which products and services will be unbundled and the rates, tariffs, terms and conditions on which they may be offered.

(3) Whether one or more pilot programs for direct access, portfolio access or other forms of access to alternative suppliers will be offered.

(4) The degree to which provision of portfolio access necessitates modification of transition credits, transition charges and the net value described in ORS 757.922 (Transition credits and charges) (2) on which transition credits or transition charges are based.

(5) The establishment of technical capability requirements, financial responsibility requirements and other protections for retail electricity consumers located within the Oregon Community Power service territory in dealings with electricity service suppliers.

(6) Access to or use of the Oregon Community Power transmission facilities or distribution system by retail electricity consumers or electricity service suppliers.

(7) Oregon Community Power’s qualification standards for electricity service suppliers in addition to any certification standards established by the Public Utility Commission, provided that the qualification standards are uniformly applied to electricity service suppliers in a nondiscriminatory manner. [2007 c.807 §32]

Note: See note under 757.812 (Definitions for ORS 757.812 to 757.950) .

(Consumer-Owned Utilities)

Source: Section 757.924 — Portfolio access to electricity service providers , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 757.730 — OR Code / Title 57 / Chapter 757 / Section 757.730
757.730 Liability when curtailment occurs
Status: in_force

A utility shall not be liable for damages to persons or property resulting from a curtailment of service in accordance with a plan approved by the Public Utility Commission. [1973 c.309 §4]

Source: Section 757.730 — Liability when curtailment occurs , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors757.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).