| Public Purpose Charges In PGE PacifiCorp |
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Public purposes for investor-owned utilities
Beginning on March 1, 2002,PGE and PacifiCorp must collect a public-purpose charge for 10 years from consumers within their service areas that is equal to 3 percent of the total revenues from electricity services collected by the utilities and other electricity providers. The funds are collected monthly based on the dollar amount paid.
In addition, PGE and PacifiCorp must collect, in total, $10 million from consumers for electric bill-paying assistance for low-income households.
How the money is allocated
The 3 percent is allocated among several public purposes. The public purpose charge distribution is:
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56.7%
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Conservation
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17.1%
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Renewable resources
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11.7%
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Weatherization for low-income households
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10%
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Schools |
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4.5%
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Low-income housing
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100%
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Total
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Where the money goes
The funds are distributed to benefit consumers in PGE and PacifiCorp service territories only. Several parties are responsible for administering those funds.
Investment of the energy conservation and renewable resource funds are managed by a new non-governmental, non-profit organization called the Energy Trust of Oregon. The Energy Trust of Oregon, is overseen by a volunteer board, appointed by OPUC. The board develops the purpose, structure, and operational guidelines for the non-profit organization. Sub-committees include representatives from the utility industry, consumer groups, renewable energy organizations and the Oregon Department of Energy. These sub-committees advise the board on promising services, technologies or practices that meet energy efficiency or renewable resource goals.
Seventeen of Oregon's twenty-one school education service districts that serve schools within each utility service area receive a share of funds based on enrollment.
Low-income weatherization and low-income housing funds is administered by Oregon Housing and Community Services Department.
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Electric Utility Restructuring
Edition 3 of the Power Technologies Energy Data Book
Who Else Is Involved?
Oregon Public Utilities Commission
Oregon Housing and Community Services Department
Portland General Electric
Energy Trust of Oregon |
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