OAR 330-140-0055: Pre-certification of Investments in Distribution System-Connected Technologies

(1) Only a large electricity consumer approved as an eligible self-direct program participant by the Oregon Department of Energy is eligible to submit an application for pre-certification of new investments in distribution system-connected technologies. (2) Large electricity customers shall apply directly to the Oregon Department of Energy for pre-certification of qualifying investments in distribution system-connected technologies on a form provided by the Oregon Department of Energy. (a) Information submitted on the form shall include but not be limited to: (A) the name of the large electricity consumer; (B) a description of the site; (C) a description of the new proposed investments in distribution system-connected technologies; (D) an itemized list of major system components and associated costs that comprise the total project cost; (E) documentation that the investments in distribution system-connected technologies will be installed such that they are capable of providing grid support; and (F) documentation, if applicable, that the site participates in one or more utility program authorized by the Public Utility Commission that encourages or otherwise gives incentives for distribution system-connected technologies to provide grid support. (b) On the application, the applicant shall: answer a "Yes/No" question whether the site’s prior year electricity usage is greater than one average megawatt; include site electric usage in kWh from the prior year; and attach supporting documentation in the form of a spreadsheet or equivalent from the utility showing the monthly usage amounts, for all meters associated with that site, that sum to the prior year usage. Sites that do not have greater than one average megawatt prior year usage are not eligible to self-direct their public purpose charge. (3) The Oregon Department of Energy shall determine if the proposed investments in distribution system-connected technologies, described in the application, are to be pre-certified as eligible self-direction costs. (4) Pre-certification of the cost eligible for a credit and a description of the proposed investment in distribution system-connected technologies shall be approved or denied in writing by the Oregon Department of Energy within 30 days of the receipt of a complete application.