Media contact: 360-664-1116 or media@utc.wa.gov
Docket number: UE-210829
LACEY, Wash. – The Utilities and Transportation Commission has rejected PacifiCorp’s 2024–2025 Clean Energy Implementation Plan (CEIP) update, saying the utility did not show enough progress toward meeting the state’s clean energy goals.
On May 19, the commission found PacifiCorp’s plan lacked clear details and measurable steps to meet the requirements of Washington’s Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA). The company is expected to submit updated targets for 2026–2029 in its next plan, which is due by Oct. 1. The commission recommended that the company focus on efforts to meet CETA requirements in its future plans.
The decision came after reviewing feedback from commission staff, the Attorney General’s Public Counsel Unit, and several public interest groups, all of which raised concerns about the plan.
Although the plan was rejected, the commission encouraged PacifiCorp to make improvements that other groups suggested for future filings. Many of these improvements were agreed upon during the discussions. They include outlining specific actions to meet clean energy goals, improving public outreach and equity efforts, using better modeling methods, and removing added costs in the model.
The commission also recommended that future plans set aside at least 27% of the benefits for low-income, vulnerable populations and highly-impacted communities to participate in each distributed energy program. Additionally, the commission urged PacifiCorp to include tribal partners, such as the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, in its future planning efforts.
The commission stressed that future plans must better reflect community needs, ensure reliable energy resources, and support affordable clean energy.
Portland, Ore.-based PacifiCorp is owned by Berkshire Hathaway Energy of Des Moines, Iowa. The company provides electric service to about 130,000 customers in six Eastern Washington counties: Kittitas, Columbia, Garfield, Benton, Walla Walla, and Yakima. Cities in the company’s service territory include College Place, Dayton, Grandview, Naches, Pomeroy, Prescott, Selah, Sunnyside, Toppenish, Union Gap, Waitsburg, Walla Walla, Wapato, Yakima, and Zillah.
The UTC regulates the rates and services of investor-owned electric utilities, telecommunications companies, natural gas and water companies, solid waste collection companies, household-goods movers and passenger transportation companies, commercial ferries, pipeline companies, marine pilotage, and a low-level radioactive waste repository. The commission does not regulate the rates of broadband services, cellular, cable, or Internet service.
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