OAR 860-001-0810: Definitions

As used in OAR 860-001-0800 through 860-001-0900: (1) “Agreement” means the currently effective Environmental Justice Communities Funding Agreement, as adopted by the Commission. (2) “Case-certified Organization” means an organization the Commission has designated as meeting the requirements of OAR 860-001-0840 and OAR 860-001-0860(6). (3) “Case Fund” is a Participating Public Utility fund that is available to a Case-certified organization to reimburse or grant to fund activity in a specific Case-certified matter. (4) “Eligible Expenses” are expenses for which Eligible Recipients may request payment consistent with OAR 860-001-0870. (5) “Eligible Proceedings” are proceedings the Commission has determined meet the requirements of OAR 860-001-0830. (6) “Eligible Recipient” means an organization that represents the interests of either low-income residential customers or communities, or customers that are members of Environmental Justice Communities as defined below. For the purposes of this rule, a low-income community includes, but is not limited to, communities with limited or insufficient financial means to cover basic needs and essential services. (7) “Environmental Justice” means equal protection from environmental and health hazards and meaningful public participation in decisions that affect the environment in which people live, work, learn, practice spirituality and play. (8) “Environmental Justice Community or Communities” includes communities of color, communities experiencing lower incomes, tribal communities, rural communities, coastal communities, communities with limited infrastructure, and other communities traditionally underrepresented in public processes and adversely harmed by environmental and health hazards, including but not limited to seniors, youth, and persons with disabilities; (9) "Grant Recipient" or "Grant Recipients" are Eligible Recipients who have been awarded pre-certification or case funding grants. (10) “Justice Funding Grants” are grants from either a Pre-certification Fund or Case Fund made subject to these rules. (11) “Participating Public Utility or Utilities” means any of the following utilities: Northwest Natural Gas Company, dba NW Natural; PacifiCorp, dba Pacific Power; Portland General Electric Company; Cascade Natural Gas Corporation; Avista Corporation, dba Avista Utilities; and Idaho Power Company. (12) “Pre-certification Fund” is a Participating Public Utility fund that is available to a Pre-certified Organization to reimburse or fund activity in an Eligible Proceeding. (13) “Pre-certified Organization” means an organization that the Commission has determined meets the eligibility criteria under ORS 757.072(2)(a)(B) and (C) and in OAR 860-001-0840.