OAR 860-022-0500: Residential Rate Cumulative Economic Impact Analysis

(1) As used in this rule, “electric or natural gas company” means any entity that is a public utility that is engaged in the business of distributing electricity or natural gas to retail customers in this state. (2) In determining whether a proposed residential rate or schedule of rates to be established, increased, or modified by an electric or natural gas company is fair, just and reasonable, the Commission shall balance the interests of the utility investor and the consumer by considering the cumulative economic impact of the proposed rate or schedule of rates on the electric or natural gas company’s residential ratepayers. (3) An electric or natural gas company shall conduct and include with its filing an analysis of the cumulative economic impact of a proposed rate or schedule of rates on the electric or natural gas company’s residential ratepayers if: (a) The electric or natural gas company’s proposed residential rate or schedule of rates will result in an increase of residential rates; and (b) The electric or natural gas company’s return on equity is subject to review and modification. (4) The analysis required under section 3 must include, at a minimum: (a) For each affected residential service classification, and where applicable, distinguishing between single-family and multifamily housing rate classes: (A) The average monthly residential bill for the 18 months ending on the day before the proposed effective date of the proposed rate or schedule of rates is to take effect; (B) The approximate range of residential customer utility bills from November 1 through March 31 for each of the two preceding years for residential customers using utility service for space heating; (C) The total annual estimated dollar amount and percentage increase in ratepayers’ utility bills (b) The average cost of living and cost of fuel and utilities for the region, state and, where available, service territory of the electric or natural gas company, as determined by the commission including (A) The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, West Region (All Items), as most recently published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor; (B) Any other macroeconomic data as determined by the Commission (c) The electric or natural gas company’s data on residential service disconnection for nonpayment, including: (A) The number and percentage of residential customers disconnected for nonpayment in the previous 12 months; (B) The number and percentage of ratepayers receiving energy assistance, including any government assistance, utility bill discount or utility arrearage program, that the electric or natural gas company disconnected for nonpayment in the previous 12 months; (C) The number of ratepayers with a medical certificate on file; (D) Data related to customers who are enrolled in the electric or natural gas company’s energy assistance programs, including disconnection moratorium programs (d) Overdue balance data, including: (A) The number of residential customers with overdue balances; (B) The average overdue balance amount; (C) The total amount of the overdue balance owed to the utility; (e) Data on the cost of energy for commercial and industrial customers relative to the cost of energy for commercial and industrial customers in other states in the region together with historical trends; and (f) Any additional data that the Commission deems relevant, including but not limited to indicators of financial hardship, energy burden, or affordability of utility bills. (5) The commission may contract or coordinate with other state agencies, energy assistance providers or the nongovernmental entity that administers funds collected pursuant to ORS 757.054, through natural gas tariffs or through public purpose charges pursuant to ORS 757.612, to collect data necessary to carry out this rule.