Oregon Department of Energy Publishes Regional Transmission Organization Study

Source: Oregon Department of Energy

In December 2021, the Oregon Department of Energy released a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) Study. Required by Senate Bill 589 (2021), the study for the Oregon legislature outlines different perspectives on benefits, costs, opportunities, challenges, and risks of RTO formation. The study includes a literature review and details the perspectives from a diverse group of Oregon stakeholders, which the Oregon Department of Energy brought together in an Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee included members of the Oregon Public Utility Commission, the Oregon legislature, the Governor’s Office, Oregon utilities, and non-profits. The study highlights the broad common interest among Oregon stakeholders to explore increased regional collaboration and coordination in the electric sector, but also underscores that the stakeholders have a wide variety of nuanced perspectives. A path forward will have to balance those perspectives.