PacifiCorp facing regulatory blowback on wind power plans

Staff advisers at Oregon's utility regulator threw cold water on PacifiCorp's plan to spend $3.5 billion, one of its biggest upgrades ever, on wind turbines and a new transmission line.

The Public Utility Commission staff say the utility had failed to justify the need for the massive capital investments, whether to meet its capacity, energy or reliability needs.

PacifiCorp is seeking state regulators' blessing for what it calls "Energy Vision 2020." Approval from the regulators would provide greater assurance that the power company would be able to recover the costs in a rate case when the projects are done.

The staff instead contended the plan comes with significant risks for ratepayers. They recommended the three commissioners not "acknowledge" the plan, which would make the investments considerably riskier for the utility and its parent company, Berkshire Hathaway. Alternatively, if the commissioners decide to approve the plan, staff recommended a number of conditions to protect ratepayers.

Read more: http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2017/10/pacificorp_facing_regulatory_b.html