PacifiCorp Forced to Rewrite Clean Energy Plan After Oregon Court Says It Fell Behind on 2030 Goals
An Oregon court ruled on Tuesday that the Public Utility Commission (PUC) has discretion over PacifiCorp’s Clean Energy Plan, and that the utility will now have to provide revised plans showing how it will accelerate its efforts to reduce emissions by 2030.
Oregon Court Ruling On PacifiCorp 2030 Emission Goals
After the Commission ruled that PacifiCorp’s Clean Energy Plan (CEP) showed backsliding on 2030 emissions goals, the utility argued that the rules were unclear and did not define the rate of progress. On Tuesday, Marion County Circuit Court Judge Channing Bennett rejected PacifiCorp’s argument and affirmed the commission’s discretion.
PacifiCorp is obliged to comply with the emissions goals set out in HB 2021, which was passed in 2023, by 2030.
Source: PacifiCorp 2025 Oregon Clean Energy Plan (continual progress section, percent reductions)
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But the Commission noted that CEP did not show continual progress towards meeting these goals.
When PacifiCorp suspended the 2022 All-Source RFP and declined to update its analysis or the procurement actions in its action plan, PUC rejected the plan as it did not reflect the current reality.
| PUC finding or requirement | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| No continual progress toward HB 2021 2030 emissions reduction goals | PUC said the plan’s emissions trajectory was moving the wrong direction and did not commit to a clear course of action to hit 2030. |
| New docket to set an RFP scope and a date certain | PUC directed staff to open a contested case focused on procurement for Oregon load and HB 2021 compliance. |
| Next CEP must include an executable action plan | PUC required a plan with concrete steps and timelines, not just options or “levers.” |
| Small scale resource acquisition strategy due by April 2025 | PUC required an Oregon focused acquisition approach with timelines while broader planning proceeds. |
The PUC did not adopt a precise definition of continual progress under HB 2021, but it requires a plan that shows how PacifiCorp would reach the defined goals without backsliding on emissions reductions.
The commission confirmed that HB 2021 requires that it be in the public interest, meet the clean energy targets, and demonstrate continual progress toward meeting those targets.
PacifiCorp is required to “take actions as soon as practicable that facilitate rapid reduction of greenhouse gas emissions at reasonable costs to retail electricity consumers,” but alleged that the CPU abused its discretion by failing to define ‘continual progress.’
“Continual progress” suggests that a plan should show incremental steps to reach the emissions goals by 2039, rather than leaving actions until the last year. Because PacifiCorp’s plan did not reflect this, it was not found to be in the public interest.
The judge affirmed that utilities must show real progress, not just effort. The ruling clarifies compliance standards under the state’s clean energy law and strengthens enforcement of climate policy.
It also empowers the PUC to demand concrete action plans from electric companies, setting a clear precedent that backsliding on emissions violates Oregon’s decarbonization mandate.
PacifiCorp $150 Million Settlement For 2020 Labor Day Fires
PacifiCorp reached a $150 million settlement with 1,434 plaintiffs related to the Labor Day 2020 fires late last year, bringing the total claims settled since 2020 to nearly 4,200 and costing the utility $1.6 billion. Most remaining claims are part of the James class action litigation, but about 20% of those plaintiffs are settling.
Source: PacifiCorp newsroom release on Labor Day 2020 fires settlement totals (Nov 19 2025)
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Ryan Flynn, Pacific Power president, indicated that the settlement process is the fairest and most efficient way to resolve wildfire litigation. He said, “Class action litigation is costly, complex, takes several years to run its course, and is a barrier to reasonable outcomes.”
Settlement is also crucial for PacifiCorp’s financial health, ensuring reliable power for over 2 million customers across six states.
In a news release, the utility indicated that the growing threat of wildfires affects everyone and is larger than any single company. PacifiCorp suggested that wildfire-related issues be solved holistically, with businesses, governments, and key stakeholders working together.