2011 Oregon Revised Statutes
ORS Volume 11, Chapters 431 - 470
ORS Chapter 470
470.560 Rules; certification standards; provision for preferred service providers.

(1) The State Department of Energy shall adopt rules establishing certification standards for contractors participating in the construction of small scale local energy projects financed through the energy efficiency and sustainable technology loan program. The department shall design the standards to ensure that the project work performed by a contractor holding the certification is of high quality and will result in a high degree of customer satisfaction.

(2) The certification standards established by the department must, at a minimum, require that the contractor:

(a) Prove that the contractor has sufficient skill to ensure that the contractor can successfully install energy efficiency, renewable energy or weatherization projects.

(b) Not be a contractor listed by the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries under ORS 279C.860 as ineligible to receive a contract or subcontract for public works.

(c) Be an equal opportunity employer or small business or be a minority or women business enterprise or disadvantaged business enterprise as those terms are defined in ORS 200.005.

(d) Demonstrate a history of compliance with the rules and other requirements of the Construction Contractors Board and of the Workers Compensation Division and the Occupational Safety and Health Division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services.

(e) Employ at least 80 percent of employees used for energy efficiency and sustainable technology loan program projects from the local work force, if a sufficient supply of skilled workers is available locally.

(f) Demonstrate a history of compliance with federal and state wage and hour laws.

(g) Pay wages to employees used for energy efficiency and sustainable technology loan program projects at a rate equal to at least 180 percent of the state minimum wage.

(3) The State Department of Energy shall consult with the Public Purpose Fund Administrator and utilities when developing contractor certification standards.

(4) The Construction Contractors Board may issue a qualifying contractor a certification authorizing the contractor to participate in the construction of small scale local energy projects financed through the energy efficiency and sustainable technology loan program. A contractor seeking certification shall apply to the board as provided under ORS 701.119.

(5) The State Department of Energy shall identify certified contractors that provide employees with health insurance benefits as preferred service providers and may take other actions as practicable to encourage certified contractors to provide employees with health insurance benefits. [2009 c.753 13]