Intervenor Funding

There are two types of funding available to advocates participating in processes at the Commission: Justice Funding and Intervenor Funding.

Justice Funding is available to groups representing environmental justice communities, and groups representing the interests of low-income customers. The Commission approved the Environmental Justice Communities Funding agreement, between justice advocates and utilities to implement this type of funding. The current agreement has been extended through December 31, 2025. The process to re-nogotiate the agreement is ongoing.

 

The Commission has also implemented rules pursuant to the above agreement, which are available here: OAR 860-001-800 through 860-001-0900.

There are two types of funding available under the Justice Funding opportunity. Please see the table below for the 2025 deadlines for each type of funding under the Justice Funding agreement.

The first is Case funding, which is requested on a docket-by-docket basis. This means that a group may ask for funding as they start to participate in a single docket. Up to 50 percent of this funding is available up-front. 

Case funding requests begin by filing a notice of intent in the docket. To speed the process, you may submit a proposed budged with the notice of intent. A template for the notice of intent and budget is available for your convenience. A version of the template with explanatory notes is also available. 

The second is Pre-Certification grant funding. This is a broader type of funding and is available to groups to participate in a variety of dockets. This funding can operate as a multi-subject grant for activity at the PUC, and groups can request that all funding be provided up front. Groups request this type of funding one time per year, with the PUC approving funding for up to five groups per year. Pre-certification funding for 2025 has closed. Applications for 2026 funding will be due later this year once the new agreement is in place.

The Intervenor Funding Summary spreadsheet provides fund distribution details to date. On the spreadsheet, current funding levels are located under the “Justice Funding” tab under the section labeled “Case Fund”.