Company Qualified Facility Program

The Public Utilities Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) created an obligation for electric utilities to offer to purchase power from, and interconnect with, qualifying generation projects. PURPA is implemented through a set of rules established by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and each state with jurisdiction over PacifiCorp. Qualifying Facilities (QFs) must meet certain criteria as specified in the FERC rules.

Avoided cost (the cost a utility avoids as a result of the QF) forms the basis for determining QF purchase pricing. In many states where the company operates, prices are established by a tariff applicable up to a certain-sized threshold and below.

Each state is regulated by a public service or utility commission that has certain responsibilities for the implementation of PURPA as provided in the FERC rules. The rules and relevant orders are from each state are identified below.

Power Purchase Agreements — Standard power purchase contracts are required for some states and such contract forms are available using the links below. For those states that do not require a standard form contract, the QF should contact PacifiCorp for the contract form used in that state.

Interconnection — Processes are in place for interconnection at both the transmission and distribution levels. There are different contacts for transmission and distribution information as required by FERC. Each contact can provide standard form agreements for studies, facility construction and interconnection.

For more information:

Interconnection Requirements

The process for entering into a power purchase agreement is generally described and applicable to all QFs as shown in Schedule 38 filed in Utah, In Oregon, it is shown in Schedule 37 for projects less than 10,000 kw and Schedule 38 for project greater than 10,000 kw.

The following links provide further information:

FERC QF self certification

California

California PUC

Idaho

Idaho PUC

PDF Idaho - 2009 Avoided cost prices

Oregon

On February 4, 2010, the Public Utility Commission of Oregon acknowledged PacifiCorp’s 2008 Integrated Resource Plan. In accordance with OAR 860-029-0080(3), PacifiCorp is required to file final avoided-cost information and proposed new avoided cost rates within 30 days of the Commission’s acknowledgment. New avoided cost rates will modify the prices paid by PacifiCorp under its Oregon Tariff Schedules 37 and 38. PacifiCorp will file final avoided-cost information and proposed new avoided-cost rates on March 4, 2010. PacifiCorp will propose that its new avoided cost rates become effective 30 days later (April 3, 2010).

The March 4, 2010 Schedule 37 filing may be viewed here (PDF).

If you have any questions, please contact Bruce Griswold at 503-813-5218 or John Younie at 503-813-5960.

Oregon PUC

PDF Oregon Schedule 37 – Avoided Cost prices and process for QFs less than 10,000 KW

PDF Power Purchase Agreement for New QFs less than 10 MW

PDF Power Purchase Agreement for Existing QFs less than 10 MW

PDF Power Purchase Agreement for Off-System QFs less than 10 MW

PDF Power Purchase Agreement for Intermittent QF Resources (i.e. Wind) less than 10,000 KW

PDF Oregon Schedule 38 – Process for QFs greater than 10,000 KW

PDF Non-firm Power Purchase Agreement for QFs less than 10,000 KW