| The Latest Updates |
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Approved Facilities Under Construction:
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Big River Energy Facility – Notice of Intent
On August 7, 2026, the Department issued Public Notice of the NOI, Public Informational Meeting and a comment period. The NOI Public Informational was held on August 20, 2026 at The Gronquist in Arlington, Oregon, with opportunities for participation in-person, online and via phone.
The Department is accepting comments on the NOI through September 25, 2026, and is coordinating with reviewing agencies to help inform the requirements to be included in the Project Order. A Project Order will be issued in October 2026. |
Boardman Coal Plant –
Review of Termination Request
The Department is conducting its review of the termination request, in
conjunction/consultation with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
and Oregon Public Utilities Commission staff. The Department will present
its recommendations to Council for concurrence, modification, or rejection
to terminate the site certificate, once all of the required information is
received.
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Buckley Solar Facility
– Notice of Intent
The pASC must be submitted by August 17, 2027.
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Carty Generating Station – preliminary Request for Amendment #4
The Department has reinitiated review of pRFA. The Department will determine whether the pRFA is complete in Q4 2026.
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Cascade Renewable Transmission System
– Preliminary Application for Site Certificate (pASC)
The Department is drafting the Draft Proposed Order and coordinating with reviewing agencies on review of the pASC. Completeness review will continue through Q4 2026.
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Deschutes Solar and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
Facility
– Preliminary Application for Site Certificate (pASC)
The Department is drafting the Draft Proposed Order and coordinating with reviewing agencies on review of the pASC. Completeness review will continue through Q4 2026.
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Heppner Wind Project
– Notice of Intent
The preliminary Application for Site Certificate must be submitted by March
27, 2027.
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Klamath Cogeneration Project
preliminary Request for Amendment #6 – Proposed Order The comment period on RFA6 and the Proposed Order on RFA6 closed on August 28, 2026. The deadline for the Department and the certificate holder to respond to comments is September 11. The Department will review comments, responses, replies and sur-replies submitted on the record of the Proposed Order on RFA6; and will issue a draft Final Order and Notice of Draft Final Order, evaluating the issues raised during the comment period, in September or October.
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Klamath Falls Energy Center
– Notice of Intent
The preliminary Application for Site Certificate must be submitted by December 2027.
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Muddy Creek Energy Park
– Preliminary Application for Site Certificate (pASC)
The Department is drafting the Draft Proposed Order and coordinating with reviewing agencies on review of the pASC. Completeness review will continue through Q4 2026.
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Nolin Hills Wind Power Project – preliminary Request for Amendment #1
On August 31, 2026, the Department determined that the pRFA was incomplete and requested that additional information be provided within 30-days. The Department is working with reviewing agencies and drafting recommended findings for the Proposed Order. A determination of completeness and issuance of the Proposed Order is expected in Q4 2026.
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Oregon Trail Solar Facility – preliminary Request for Amendment #2
The comment period on RFA2 and the Proposed Order on RFA2 closed on August 28, 2026. No comments were received. The Department will issue a draft Final Order and Notice of Draft Final Order on September 4. Council will review the draft Final Order for approval, modification or rejection at the September 18, 2026 meeting.
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Saddle Butte Energy Facility
– Notice of Intent
The preliminary Application for Site Certificate must be submitted by December 2027. |
Speedway Energy Facility
– Notice of Intent
The Department received the pASC on July 24, 2026 and initiated coordination with reviewing agencies. The Department will issue its determination of whether the pASC is complete by September 24, 2026.
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Sunrise Solar and Storage Projects
– Notice of Intent
The preliminary Application for Site Certificate must be submitted by
February 27, 2027.
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Umatilla-Morrow County Connect Project
– Preliminary Application for Site Certificate (pASC)
The Department expects to receive updated information from the applicant in October 2026.
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| Wheatridge Renewable Energy Facility East Request for Amendment #2 – Proposed Order
The comment period on the Proposed Order on RFA2 extended through July 31, 2026. Council extended the deadline for the certificate holder to provide sur-reply to September 14, 2026, to allow adequate time for the certificate holder to address issues raised in comments received. The Department will review comments, responses, replies and sur-replies submitted on the record of the Proposed Order on RFA2; and will issue a draft Final Order and Notice of Draft Final Order, evaluating the issues raised during the comment period, in September or October.
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Yellow Rosebush Energy Center
– At the August 21, 2026 meeting, Council conducted a hearing to allow the parties to the contested case proceeding an opportunity to present oral argument on their exceptions and responses filed on the Hearing Officer’s Proposed Contested Case Order. Council will continue the agenda item to September 18, 2026.
At the September 18, 2026 meeting, Council will continue reviewing the exceptions and responses presented at the August 21, 2026 meeting. Council will then have the opportunity to review and approve, modify, or reject the Hearing Officer’s Proposed Contested Case Order and the Department’s Proposed Order.
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Rulemaking
- Radioactive Transport Fees
Council approved the rules at its August 21, 2026 meeting. The Department filed the rules with the Secretary of State on August 25, 2026.
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Rulemaking
- Compliance Rulemaking
A public hearing was held at the August 21, 2026 EFSC meeting. The comment period will extend through September 25, 2026. Once the public comment period is complete, staff will review any comments submitted and make final recommendations to Council, likely at its October meeting.
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Rulemaking
- Financial Expertise and Retirement Assurance
The third RAC meeting was held on August 27, 2026. Once feedback from RAC members is submitted and reviewed by staff, draft rules will be prepared. Depending on the nature of the feedback, a fourth meeting may or may not be held.
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Rulemaking - Carbon Monetary Offset
A public hearing was held at the August 21, 2026 EFSC meeting. The comment period will extend through September 25, 2026. Once the public comment period is complete, staff will review any comments submitted and make final recommendations to Council, likely at its October meeting.
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