PUC Seeking Public Comment On PacifiCorp's CPCN Application For A Transmission Project (Photo) -07/02/25

Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE         Date: July 2, 2025

Contact: Kandi Young, Public Information Officer   
kandi.young@puc.oregon.gov, (503) 551-5290 cell phone

 

PUC SEEKING PUBLIC COMMENT ON PACIFICORP’S CPCN APPLICATION
FOR A TRANSMISSION PROJECT
Application approval impacts securing of land along the proposed transmission line

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) is hosting two events to provide opportunities for the public to comment on PacifiCorp’s application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN). PacifiCorp’s request is part of its proposed construction of a transmission line that would connect the Lone Pine and Whetstone substations in Jackson County, known as the Lone Pine to Whetstone Project.

PacifiCorp has asked the PUC to issue a CPCN for this project. If granted, PacifiCorp would use this certificate in court proceedings where it seeks to condemn an interest in land along the transmission line’s path. The certificate would demonstrate to the court that the transmission line is a public use and necessary for public convenience. View Docket PCN 8 for more information and a map of the proposed transmission line on the next page.

 

Ways to Comment

Interested members of the public may participate and provide comments on PacifiCorp’s CPCN application in various ways. Individuals may attend an in-person or virtual event listed below to provide verbal comments to the Commissioners and the Administrative Law Judge presiding over this case. Individuals may also submit comments by email, online form, phone, or mail.

 

Comment in person – Medford, Oregon 

When:          Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 6 p.m.

This meeting will remain open until at least 7 p.m. If at 7 p.m. there are still members of the public waiting to comment, the meeting may continue to allow as many people to comment as time permits.

Where:        Hilton Garden Inn, 1000 Welcome Way, Medford, OR 97504

 

Comment via Zoom or phone

When:          Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 6 p.m.

This meeting will remain open until at least 7 p.m. If at 7 p.m. there are still members of the public waiting to comment, the meeting may continue to allow as many people to comment as time permits.

Access the Zoom link and phone-in details at: https://bit.ly/4kAaYJv

 

Other ways to comment

Please submit comments by July 24, 2025, in one of the following formats:

• Public Comment Form online
• email PUC.PublicComments@puc.oregon.gov  
• Call 503-378-6600 or 800-522-2404 (all relay calls accepted)
• Mail comments to: Oregon Public Utility Commission, Attn: AHD – PCN 8, PO Box 1088, Salem OR 97308-1088
   

Stay Informed

To stay informed throughout this process, individuals may request to be added to the distribution list to receive publicly available documents. Submit requests by email to puc.hearings@puc.oregon.gov or by calling 503-378-6678. Please specify docket PCN 8 in the request.

New Chair And Commissioner Named To The Oregon Public Utility Commission (Photo) -06/18/25

SALEM, Ore. – Governor Tina Kotek has appointed Letha Tawney as Chair of the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC), effective immediately. Chair Tawney brings a deep commitment to safety, consumer advocacy, and regulatory integrity to her new leadership role. In addition, the Oregon Senate confirmed Karin Power to serve as Commissioner of the PUC for a four-year term ending May 20, 2029. Power, who was appointed by Gov. Kotek and recommended for Senate confirmation earlier this year, adds valuable legal, legislative, and environmental expertise to the three-member commission.

 

Chair Tawney was first appointed to the PUC in 2018 and has led the agency’s work on grid modernization, wildfire mitigation, regional electricity markets, and the Energy Trust of Oregon. As Chair, she will continue to guide the Commission’s oversight of Oregon’s investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities, as well as select telecommunications and water utilities, ensuring reliable service and just, reasonable rates for Oregon households and businesses.

 

“It is an honor to serve as Chair during this critical time for Oregon’s energy future,” said Chair Tawney. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead a talented team as we work to meet the needs of communities across the state.”

Karin Power, a former state legislator and environmental attorney, joins the PUC with a strong track record of public service and policy leadership. During her time in the Oregon House of Representatives, she played a key role in advancing environmental protection, climate action, and public health policy. Most recently, Power served in government, business, and nonprofit leadership roles with a focus on energy affordability, sustainability, and market-based environmental solutions.

 

“I’m honored to join the Commission and support the essential work of balancing affordability, reliability, and Oregon’s climate goals,” said Commissioner Power. “I look forward to serving Oregonians in a new capacity.”

 

Fellow Commissioner Les Perkins welcomed the appointments, saying: “Chair Tawney brings years of experience and knowledge to the leadership position at a time when the energy landscape is evolving rapidly, and I look forward to supporting her in this critical role. I’ve enjoyed working with Commissioner Power in her past roles in Oregon and look forward to working together to address the ever-changing challenges and opportunities before us.”

 

The PUC regulates customer rates and services of the state’s investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities, including Portland General Electric, Idaho Power, Pacific Power, Avista, Cascade Natural, and NW Natural. The PUC also regulates landline telephone providers and select water companies. For more information about the PUC, visit oregon.gov/puc.

 

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PUC Approves Customer Protections To Avoid Disconnection Of Utility Service When Extreme Heat Warning In Effect -06/10/25

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) recently approved temporary rules to protect residential customers—especially vulnerable households—from disconnection of electric utility services during extreme high temperatures.

 

Under the new rules, which will remain in effect through October 24, 2025, all regulated investor-owned utilities including Portland General Electric, PacifiCorp, and Idaho Power, are required to:

• Not disconnect service during peak heat – Utilities are prohibited from disconnecting electric service for 48-hours following a qualifying heat event, such as a heat advisory from the National Weather Service, ensuring households can safely cope with and recover from extreme temperatures.
• Reconnect service required during heat event – Customers whose utility services were disconnected up to 7 days before a heat event can request to be reconnected without delay once the heat event begins to help prevent risk to health and safety of residents.
• Waive reconnection fees – Although previous rules approved by the Commission waive select reconnection fees for any low-income customer, these temporary rules expand to waive all reconnection fees for medical certificate account holders or discount program participants earning less than 10 percent of state median income.
• Improve outreach and communication – The new rules require utilities to improve customer notifications to help ensure eligible customers are informed of their rights and can quickly access reconnection when needed.

“The Commission approved these rules to help ensure customers of the utilities we regulate will not lose power during dangerous heat events,” said Letha Tawney, PUC Chair. “These are critical steps to protect our most vulnerable neighbors and are timely as Oregon is already experiencing the first heat events of the summer.”

 

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The PUC regulates customer rates and services of the state’s investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities, including Portland General Electric, Idaho Power, Pacific Power, Avista, Cascade Natural, and NW Natural. The PUC also regulates landline telephone providers and select water companies. The PUC’s mission is to ensure Oregonians have access to safe, reliable, and fairly priced utility services that advance state policy and promote the public interest. We use an inclusive process to evaluate differing viewpoints and visions of the public interest and arrive at balanced, well-reasoned, independent decisions supported by fact and law. For more information about the PUC, visit oregon.gov/puc.