SB 1582
Requires each electric company to develop a distributed power plant program for the procurement of grid services to be provided by distributed energy resources.
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Sign in to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
79%
Oppose
21%
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill requires Oregon’s electric companies to create and operate distributed power plant programs. These programs aim to procure grid services from distributed energy resources, such as batteries and smart thermostats, to help manage peak demand and integrate renewable energy. Customers can enroll directly or through aggregators, and the Public Utility Commission will set procurement targets and performance incentives. The bill also establishes requirements for compensation, data reporting, and program implementation, with an initial focus on battery-based peak load reduction.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsors
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of Senate Bill 1582 advocate for a shift towards utilizing existing electric grid infrastructure to manage energy supply and demand, citing underutilization rates of only 40% capacity. They propose the use of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) as a solution to improve grid reliability, reduce peak demand, and lower costs for ratepayers. Proponents argue that this approach can increase energy supply by linking existing customer-owned homes and businesses to the grid, providing flexibility and cost-effectiveness. Many supporters believe that SB 1582 aligns with their mission to advance clean, efficient, and equitable buildings in Oregon, and will strengthen the state's electric grid, create family-wage jobs, and improve energy resilience for homes and businesses.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of Senate Bill 1582 express concerns that the bill creates unnecessary duplication, disrupts progress, and increases costs for customers. They argue that the bill's mandate for distributed powerplant programs is overly broad and lacks consideration for local grid needs or customer demand, shifting financial risk from utilities and program participants to all ratepayers. The bill's emphasis on renewable energy sources like solar and wind is also criticized, with some testifiers suggesting alternative solutions such as natural gas cogeneration energy plants and small-scale nuclear energy plants to improve power grid reliability. Overall, opponents believe the bill's costs will outweigh any potential benefits, particularly for Oregon residents who rely on distributed energy resources for their livelihoods.
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.