Committee advances series of energy and environmental bills, sends several to revenue or floor

The House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee on April 1 held a set of work sessions and advanced several bills addressing electricity transmission, utility fees, wind energy lighting, seafood processing wastewater permits and wastewater operator certification.

Key outcomes at a glance: the committee gave a do‑pass recommendation and moved several measures forward and adopted amendments where noted. Chair Jay Lively closed work sessions after each item; most motions carried on roll call and the committee identified which member would carry each bill to the next stage.

Most significant actions and content:

- HB 33 36 (grid enhancing technologies): The bill requires electric companies to analyze cost‑effectiveness and timetables for methods to increase transmission capacity in Oregon and to file strategic plans for deploying grid‑enhancing technologies where cost‑effective. Vice Chair Gamba moved the bill to the floor with a do‑pass recommendation; the motion carried. Committee staff reported a “minimal fiscal impact, no revenue impact.”

- HB 23 70 (PUC fee increase): The bill would increase the annual fee the Oregon Public Utility Commission may impose on public utilities from 0.45% to 0.55% of a utility’s gross operating revenues derived within Oregon for the preceding calendar year. The committee adopted a do‑pass recommendation and referred the bill to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means for the fiscal impact.

- HB 23 75 (wind energy light mitigation): The committee adopted a dash‑2 amendment that modifies requirements and prohibitions on developing or repowering wind energy facilities, and requires developers to apply to the Federal Aviation Administration for light‑mitigation technology and to install and begin using mitigation systems within a defined timeframe. Vice Chair Levy moved both the amendment (adopted) and the main motion; the amended bill received a do‑pass recommendation and will be carried by Representative Levy.

- HB 38 14 (seafood processing wastewater and mixing zones): The dash‑3 amendment—described in committee as permitting a mixing zone for seafood processing wastewater permits if public health is not adversely affected and requiring specified best management practices—was adopted. The committee moved the bill to the floor with a do‑pass recommendation as amended; Representative Gomberg will carry it.

- HB 36 55 (lagoon wastewater operator certification): The bill directs the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), in consultation with stakeholders, to develop a program to examine and certify operators of lagoon wastewater treatment systems. The committee moved the bill with a do‑pass recommendation and referred it to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means because of fiscal impacts.

- HB 38 63 (PUC avoided‑cost eligibility cap): The bill requires the Oregon Public Utility Commission to establish an eligibility cap at no less than 10 megawatts for standard avoided cost rates and contracts under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA). The committee adopted the measure with a do‑pass recommendation; Representative Helm will carry the bill.

Procedure notes: For bills with fiscal implications, the committee referred measures to Ways and Means or to the Revenue Committee as appropriate. A few items on the agenda were deferred: the committee postponed work on HB 29 85 to April 3 and did not carry forward HB 20 64 for a work session.

Ending: The committee’s actions moved a package of energy and environmental bills to the next legislative stages, with amendment language adopted where members sought compromises. Several bills were routed to fiscal committees for budget review before further floor consideration.