The Oregon Court of Appeals affirmed Oregon Public Utility Commission orders regarding the implementation of a 2021 law regarding the decarbonization of Oregon’s electric grid. A renewable energy company argued that the Commission misinterpreted a statutory provision requiring that zero-emission electricity provide ancillary benefits to Oregon communities “to the maximum extent practicable.” The Court of Appeals rejected the company’s characterization of the Commission’s interpretation, finding that it appeared that Commission understood the law to require that it give weight to the policy considerations related to ancillary benefits to communities. The court acknowledged the possibility of future disputes about how to account for those policy considerations in the approval process for electric companies’ clean energy plans but said it would be premature to opine on that issue before the Commission took action.

Challenge to Oregon Public Utility Commission orders regarding the implementation of a 2021 law regarding the decarbonization of Oregon’s electric grid.

NewSun Energy, LLC v. Public Utility Commission of Oregon

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Oregon Court Rejected Contention that Utility Commission Was Ignoring Grid Decarbonization Policy Objective

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An aim to achieve a quantifiable outcome within a given time-frame, set by an institution such as a national government.

Policy instruments are techniques or tools used by governing authorities to promote certain policies in order to achieve predetermined goals. Put simply, instruments are how a government tries to achieve its goals, with this taxonomy being focused on national policy instruments.

Risk is the potential for adverse consequences resulting from the dynamic interplay between (climate-related) hazards, exposure, and vulnerability of affected human or ecological systems.

Groups  of people who are adversely affected by climate change or the response to it

A set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.

Justice is the ethical and political framework that addresses fairness, including issues of responsibility, rights, and structural inequity.

Renewable energy means all forms of energy produced from renewable sources in a sustainable manner.

Fossil fuel is a generic term for non-renewable energy sources such as coal, fossil gas, and oil (including crude oil, and petroleum products), that can be used for electricity and heat generation. Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons formed from pressurised and heated organic material buried over millions of years.

Molecules in the atmosphere that play a key role in the greenhouse effect by trapping heat radiating from Earth’s surface.

Area of the economy in which actors engage in identical or related activities.

In human systems, the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate change and its effects, in order to moderate harm, increase resilience or exploit beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, the process of adjustment to actual climate change and its effects; human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate change and its effects.

The management and allocation of funds, assets and investments to meet various objectives

Actions to reduce emissions in energy generation and supply.

Oregon Court Rejected Contention that Utility Commission Was Ignoring Grid Decarbonization Policy Objective

Renewable energy

Greenhouse gas