| Small Business Utility Advocates (“SBUA”)Summer 2022 UpdateGreetings! Since our May 2022 newsletter, these are the SBUA updates of how we have advocated for Oregon’s small businesses seeking fair and reasonable utility rates & terms of service, provided a small business voice and perspectives on Oregon energy policy in local and state government, and in the business community. See below highlights from Summer ‘22.Finish your Summer SBUA and BESThq’s Mastermind for Purpose on September 20, 2022 !! SBUA Oregon Advisory Committee: If you would like to serve 4-6 hours a year in SBUA-focused meetings – always a virtual option available – with the purpose of providing guidance and input on ongoing SBUA activities, please reach out ASAP as we are arranging our first committee meeting very soon!Contact guillermo@utilityadvocates.org or diane@utilityadvocates.org for a draft charter & more info.It is a great way to give direct input and support small biz and keep informed in a short amount of time. Annual meeting and Outreach July 7th, 2022: SBUA Oregon held its annual Oregon membership meeting in person and by Zoom. Hector, the owner of Cafe Zamora, graciously provided their coffee shop for SBUA members to gather and discuss SBUA’s work and the Public Utility Commission (PUC) treatment of small commercial customers. The one-hour meeting included a discussion of energy rates, energy conservation, small business participation in solar and in electric vehicle charging, and small-scale energy projects.July 20th, 2022: SBUA presented to the East Portland Chamber of Commerce regarding our work and including the COVID-19 arrearage (unpaid utility bills) data and related costs and attended the EPCC happy hour. EPCC member participants asked several questions. SBUA has been reaching out to local and state government to inform them of what we do and our concern that small business be treated fairly in implementing Oregon’s energy policy. Northwest Natural Rate Case UG 435 SBUA has represented small businesses fully in this rate case – SBUA found an intra-class subsidy where a large percentage of the small business ratepayers were subsidizing other larger users in the same class. The Commission noted and appreciated this contribution. Also, we took the allocation of COVID-19 costs all the way to oral argument. We await the Commission’s decision in that rate case. PacifiCorp dba Pacific Power Rate Case UE 399 SBUA is building on information we learned in a Pacific Power rate case two years ago and are advocating for:Fairer rates than what the utility has offered in its proposal to the CommissionMore information about small businesses energy use patterns to develop better rate designBetter outreach to make it easier for small businesses to learn about and choose energy rate plans, and accessing solar, electric vehicle chargingFairer treatment of COVID-19 costs.Strengthening Protections for Utility Customers AR 653 SBUA provided input to the Commission reviewing Division 21 rules regarding customer protections for disconnections, late fees, and payment options. This was an offshoot of the PUC focus on COVID-19 pandemic impact on utility customers. The inclusion of small commercial language in several rules demonstrtes a positive direction for the PUC. Oregon Department of Energy Small-Scale Renewable Energy Study SBUA participated as a member of this Study workgroup and contributed thanks to your input. The report is due at the State Legislature on September 30th, 2022 and will be considered at the Oregon House Energy and Environment Committee meeting during Legislative Days on September 22, 2022 @ 9:25 a.m. – access the meeting here via livestream: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021I1/Committees/HENVNR/Overview. SBUA is helping Oregon small businesses have their voices heard as the state of Oregon transitions and decarbonizes its energy supply. Here is an example of the state taking a step toward this new future through the demolition of the Boardman Coal Plant: https://youtu.be/yB90dFKZiYw (fast forward to 24:20).Diane Henkels, Attorney, Small Business Utility Advocates 541-270-6001 admin@utilityadvocates.org |
