On July 1, Energy Trust staff submitted to the Oregon Public Utility Commission a report that addresses cost-effectiveness challenges facing certain natural gas measures and programs, including residential gas weatherization measures. The Cost-Effectiveness Review for Specific Gas Measures and Programs report is in response to OPUC Docket UM 1622, Order 13-256.

In fall 2012, Energy Trust received approval from the OPUC for a two-year exception to the required cost-effectiveness guidelines for certain gas measures and programs, and in summer 2013, that exception was extended for all gas measures and programs through October 18, 2014. Since then, Energy Trust has taken steps to analyze and lower costs in preparation for the July 1 report, which:

• Analyzes the benefit-cost ratios for those measures and programs where the Utility Cost Test ratio or Total Resource Cost ratio is less than one,
• Projects achievable savings for each gas measure and program with a Total Resource Cost ratio less than one, and
• Proposes to continue or discontinue current measures and programs subject to the cost-effectiveness exception

The Energy Trust report is an input to the OPUC’s public process on the review of gas cost-effectiveness for Energy Trust measures and programs. OPUC workshops and opportunities for interested parties to comment are planned for summer and fall 2014. OPUC staff will then make a recommendation to the commission to be considered at a public meeting on September 30, 2014. A final decision is expected to be issued following that public meeting. A complete schedule for public engagement has been posted by the OPUC.

For more information on OPUC Docket UM 1622, Order 13-256, or the public process around the docket, visit the OPUC website or contact Juliet Johnson, OPUC case manager for the docket.