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Oregon seeks retroactive approval for federal technical assistance to plan data center growth
Summary
The Oregon Department of Energy asked the Natural Resources Subcommittee to retroactively approve a US DOE technical assistance application (CARLA) to study data center siting, interconnection, and cost-allocation; the Legislative Fiscal Office recommended approval and the committee approved the request.
The Oregon Department of Energy asked a legislative subcommittee on Feb. 9 to retroactively approve a technical assistance application to the U.S. Department of Energy aimed at planning for rapid increases in data center electricity demand.
Janine Benner, director of the Oregon Department of Energy, told the Natural Resources Subcommittee that Oregon’s projected growth in “tech loads” — which include data centers and other large electricity users — is among the fastest in the country and could raise statewide electricity demand materially between now and 2030. ODOE submitted a concept paper and, after DOE encouragement, submitted a full application earlier this month for the Collaborations Advancing Rapid Load Additions (CARLA) technical assistance opportunity.
“While ODOE will not be receiving funding directly from the U.S. Department of Energy through this opportunity, we were advised by the Legislative Fiscal Office to seek retroactive approval for the application,” Benner said.
Jessica Rikers, manager of ODOE’s technology and policy section, said the project partners include Portland General Electric and the consulting firm Baringa. The proposed project requests $4,300,000 and, if awarded, would be managed by Baringa with ODOE serving as the lead state applicant. Rikers said Baringa intends to subcontract roughly $50,000 to ODOE to cover staff time.
Rikers described four pillars for the technical assistance: streamlining interconnection processes for large loads, building a geospatial siting tool that incorporates grid and non-grid factors, evaluating power supply options (utility-scale versus on-site generation), and identifying options to limit rate increases and cost shifting to other customers. She said the project is intended to produce practical, transferable tools and recommendations in roughly a 12-month project period.
The Chief Financial Office (CFO) recommended approval of the retroactive request, and the Legislative Fiscal Office also recommended approval. Representative Breeze Iverson moved the LFO recommendation; the motion passed and Representative Iverson agreed to “take this one.”
