House approves measure to speed permitting for transmission and energy facilities

The Oregon House passed House Bill 3681 after extended floor discussion about transmission constraints and permitting timelines. Sponsor Representative Grama said the state faces a projected 30% increase in electricity demand over the next decade and current permitting timelines can stretch projects out for decades.

HB 3681 makes several procedural changes at the Energy Facility Siting Council (FSEC) and the Public Utility Commission (PUC), supporters said: it allows small boundary changes without a certificate amendment, sets that the earliest date FSEC may require construction to begin is six years from site-certificate issuance (while permitting earlier starts), clarifies that appeals should go directly to the Supreme Court, and urges FSEC to aim to conclude contested cases within 12 months with standing limited to those showing injury (including organizations, affected landowners and local governments).

The bill also attempts to remove a timing deadlock by allowing land-use permitting and PUC certificate processes to proceed simultaneously. Supporters said the changes are intended to streamline review without removing substantive protections; opponents cautioned about narrowing review and argued similar regulatory slowdowns affect many industries.

Representative Mannix sought clarification on the six-year construction requirement language; Grama confirmed the bill allows earlier starts but sets six years as the earliest date FSEC may require construction to begin. Other members framed the measure as a narrowly tailored procedural update to speed renewables and transmission projects. The clerk opened the voting system and declared HB 3681 passed after receiving the constitutional majority.