Bill Text: OR HB2204 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to wave energy.

Spectrum: Unknown

Status: (Failed) 2011-06-30 - In committee upon adjournment. [HB2204 Detail]

Download: Oregon-2011-HB2204-Introduced.html

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     76th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2011 Regular Session

NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .

LC 1838

                         House Bill 2204

Introduced and printed pursuant to House Rule 12.00. Presession
  filed (at the request of House Interim Committee on
  Sustainability and Economic Development)

                             SUMMARY

The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.

  Requires each electric company to maintain specified generating
capacity from qualifying wave energy systems on or before January
1, 2020. Increases generating capacity requirement in five-year
intervals until January 1, 2040. Allows electric companies to set
rates to recover reasonable return on investment in systems.
Allows electric companies to use systems to comply with renewable
portfolio standard established by statute.

                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to wave energy.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + (1) As used in this section:
  (a) 'Electric company' has the meaning given that term in ORS
757.600.
  (b) 'Nameplate capacity' means the maximum rated output of a
generator or other electric power production equipment under
specific conditions designated by the manufacturer.
  (c) 'Qualifying system' means a wave energy system that:
  (A) Directly connects to an electric company's electrical
system within this state or indirectly connects through the
system of an electric company's retail electricity consumer or
the electric system of a third party that is not an electric
company's retail electricity consumer but whose system is located
within this state;
  (B) Has meters or other devices in place to monitor and measure
the quantity of energy generated by the wave energy system; and
  (C) Meets any other siting, design, interconnection,
installation and electric output standards and codes required by
the laws of this state.
  (d) 'Wave energy system' means equipment and devices that
capture and transport the energy of ocean surface waves for
electricity generation.
  (2) On or before January 1, 2020, the total wave energy
generating nameplate capacity, from qualifying systems, of all
electric companies in this state shall be at least 50 megawatts
of alternating current.
  (3) The minimum megawatts generated under subsection (2) of
this section shall increase to:
  (a) 100 megawatts on or before January 1, 2025;
  (b) 150 megawatts on or before January 1, 2030;
  (c) 200 megawatts on or before January 1, 2035; and
  (d) 250 megawatts on or before January 1, 2040.
  (4)(a) For the purpose of complying with the wave energy
generating capacity standard established by this section, on or
before January 1, 2020, each electric company is required to
maintain a minimum generating capacity from qualifying systems.
The minimum generating capacity for each electric company is
determined by multiplying 50 megawatts by a fraction equal to the
electric company's share of all retail electricity sales made in
this state in 2010 by all electric companies.
  (b) The minimum generating capacity for each electric company
shall be adjusted upward at five-year intervals in accordance
with subsection (3) of this section.
  (5) For the purposes of this section, capacity of a wave energy
system is measured on the alternating current side of the
system's inverter using the measurement standards set forth by
the Public Utility Commission by rule. If the system does not use
an inverter, the measurement shall be made at the direct current
level.
  (6) An electric company may satisfy the wave energy generating
capacity standard established by this section with wave energy
systems owned by the company or with contracts for the purchase
of electricity from qualifying systems.
  (7) All costs prudently incurred by an electric company to
comply with the wave energy generating capacity standard
established by this section, including above-market costs, are
recoverable in the company's rates and are eligible for an
automatic adjustment clause established by the commission under
ORS 469A.120.
  (8) Any electricity produced from a qualifying system under
this section that is physically located in this state or within
the territorial sea as defined in ORS 196.405 of this state may
be used by an electric company to comply with the renewable
portfolio standard established under ORS 469A.005 to 469A.210.
  (9) The commission may adopt rules implementing and enforcing
this section. + }
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