2011 Oregon Revised Statutes
ORS Volume 17, Chapters 756 - 838
ORS Chapter 757
757.528 Greenhouse gas emissions standard applicable to consumer-owned utilities; modification; rules.

(1) Unless modified by rule by the State Department of Energy as provided in this section, the greenhouse gas emissions standard that applies to consumer-owned utilities is 1,100 pounds of greenhouse gases per megawatt-hour for a generating facility.

(2) Unless modified pursuant to subsection (4) of this section, the greenhouse gas emissions standard includes only carbon dioxide emissions.

(3) For purposes of applying the emissions standard to cogeneration facilities, the department shall establish an output-based methodology to ensure that the calculation of emissions of greenhouse gases for cogeneration facilities recognizes the total usable energy output of the process and includes all greenhouse gases emitted by the facility in the production of both electrical and thermal energy.

(4) The department shall review the greenhouse gas emissions standard established under this section no more than once every three years. After public notice and hearing, and consultation with the Public Utilities Commission, the department may:

(a) Modify the emissions standard to include other greenhouse gases as defined in ORS 468A.210, with the other greenhouse gases expressed as their carbon dioxide equivalent; and

(b) Modify the emissions standard based upon current information on the rate of greenhouse gas emissions from a commercially available combined-cycle natural gas generating facility that:

(A) Employs a combination of one or more gas turbines and one or more steam turbines and produces electricity in the steam turbines from waste heat produced by the gas turbines;

(B) Has a heat rate at high elevation within the boundaries of the Western Electricity Coordinating Council; and

(C) Has a heat rate at ambient temperatures when operating during the hottest day of the year.

(5) In modifying the greenhouse gas emissions standard, the department shall:

(a) Use an output-based methodology to ensure that the calculation of greenhouse gas emissions through cogeneration recognizes the total usable energy output of the process and includes all greenhouse gases emitted by the generating facility in the production of both electrical and thermal energy; and

(b) Consider the effects of the emissions standard on system reliability and overall costs to electricity consumers.

(6) If upon a review conducted pursuant to subsection (4) of this section, the department determines that a mandatory greenhouse gas emissions limit has been established pursuant to state or federal law, the department shall issue a report to the appropriate legislative committees of the Legislative Assembly stating which portions, if any, of the greenhouse gas emissions standard are no longer necessary as a matter of state law. [2009 c.751 3]