HB 3247
Requires an electric company to first acquire a replacement resource of reliable or dispatchable electricity prior to retiring an electric power generating facility that provides reliable or dispatchable electricity.
Jurisdiction
Oregon
Session
2025 Regular Session
Committee
Climate, Energy, and Environment
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
61%
Oppose
39%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill requires Oregon electric companies to secure a replacement source of reliable or dispatchable electricity before retiring a power plant that currently provides those types of resources. The Public Utility Commission will need to obtain a waiver from federal regulations that increase the cost of maintaining a power plant before allowing its retirement, unless a suitable replacement is secured. This ensures a consistent supply of electricity meeting specific standards.
Key provisions
- Electric companies must acquire a replacement resource of reliable or dispatchable electricity before retiring a power plant.
- "Dispatchable electricity" is defined as readily available electricity that can be adjusted to meet demand.
- "Reliable electricity" is defined as electricity from a resource with an 80% performance standard.
- The Public Utility Commission must seek waivers from federal regulations impacting power plant maintenance.
- If a waiver cannot be obtained, the commission can seek an injunction to prevent the implementation of the regulations.
- The replacement resource must provide an amount of reliable or dispatchable electricity equal to or greater than the retiring facility.
- The Act takes effect 91 days after the adjournment sine die of the legislative session.
Who is affected
- Electric companies
- Oregon residents
- The Public Utility Commission
- The State Department of Energy
- Federal regulatory agencies
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsors
David Brock Smith
Cosponsors
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of House Bill HB3247 emphasize the importance of prioritizing hydroelectric power as a reliable and affordable source of energy for Oregon. They argue that transitioning to alternative energy sources without a backup plan would be counterproductive, citing concerns about distorting reliable sources of energy and compromising the stability of the grid. Many testifiers highlight the benefits of dams in providing various services such as power, flood control, and job creation, while others emphasize the need for dispatchable electricity sources like hydroelectric power to meet future energy demands. The majority support mandating a reliable power source before closing any power plant, arguing that this approach ensures a stable and sufficient supply of electricity for Oregon's society, particularly in the Pacific Northwest region where reliable power is crucial.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of HB 3247 argue that the bill may hinder Oregon's transition to a clean energy future, instead relying on outdated practices and dispatchable generation. They contend that the bill's focus on plant-by-plant replacement is based on an incorrect premise regarding reliability in the interconnected electricity network, and that solar and wind are currently the lowest cost sources of new large-scale electricity generation. Many testifiers also express concern that the bill would undermine Oregon's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector, hinder the deployment of renewable electricity generation resources, and increase electricity costs by continuing to install traditional resources.