OR HB3868

Oregon Department of Energy must conduct a study comparing costs paid to qualifying facilities under the federal Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) with costs incurred by investor-owned utilities for acquiring or maintaining renewable energy generation facilities

Study must analyze the accuracy of avoided cost schedules over time by comparing contracted avoided costs with actual costs paid under those contracts

Study must further examine findings on small-scale renewable energy project costs from a work group convened under Oregon Laws 2021, chapter 508, section 18

State agencies must provide information and advice to the department as needed to complete the study, subject to confidentiality laws

Report with potential legislative recommendations due to Legislative Assembly interim energy committees by September 15, 2026; provisions sunset January 2, 2027