| Docket Number | Docket Name | Company |
|---|---|---|
| LC 83 | CASCADE 2023 INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN (IRP) | CASCADE NATURAL GAS |
| Comment Number | Created Date | Email Received Date | Company Name | Comment Type | Source Type | First Name | Last Name | Nearest City | Comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LC 83-1 | 3/13/2024 12:31:25 AM | 3/7/2024 2:38:22 PM | General Comment | Kristi.COLLINS@puc.oregon.gov | Kristi Collins Oregon Public Utility Commission 971-218-1189 Kristi.collins@puc.oregon.gov<mailto:Kristi.collins@puc.oregon.gov> From: Jessi Presley-Grusin <jessipresleygrusin@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, March 7, 2024 1:17 PM To: PUC puc.publicmeetings * PUC <puc.publicmeetings@puc.oregon.gov> Subject: Cascade 2023 IRP jessipresleygrusin@gmail.com<mailto:jessipresleygrusin@gmail.com>. Please reject Cascade's 2023 IRP. It is not a wise investment. We do not want fracking or more investments in it or in the natural gas it produces. Natural gas is already being phased out and so investing in its infrastructure doesn't make sense and will only pass on higher rates to rate payers to make up for the loss. For these reasons as well as the negative ramifications natural gas poses for global climate change, I urge you to reject Cascade's 2023 IRP. Thank you for your time, Jessi Presley-Grusin Oregon resident | |||||
| LC 83-2 | 3/19/2024 12:32:57 AM | 3/14/2024 2:34:00 PM | General Comment | Ellie.KNOLL@puc.oregon.gov | Ellie Knoll (She/Her) Oregon Public Utility Commission 201 High Street SE • Salem, OR 97301 • 503-580-8638 • ellie.knoll@puc.oregon.gov<mailto:ellie.knoll@puc.oregon.gov> logo_color From: Anne-Marie Eklund <eklund@cascadesacademy.org> Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2024 1:13 PM To: PUC PUC.FilingCenter * PUC <puc.filingcenter@puc.oregon.gov> Subject: Cascade Natural Gas plan eklund@cascadesacademy.org<mailto:eklund@cascadesacademy.org>. To the Oregon Public Utility Commission: I am testifying to urge you to decline Cascade Natural Gas’ Integrated Resources Plan, because their claims are misleading and unrealistic. Please eliminate Line Extension Allowances to ensure that ratepayers are not on the hook for subsidizing the expansion of the gas system. Oregon has clear goals to increase electrification. if you allow this expansion, it would counteract Oregon's goals of electrification. In fact, the Commission staff have given Cascade clear direction to evaluate the role of building electrification as a resource for meeting its decarbonization obligations at the lowest cost and lowest risk for customers. However, Cascade’s IRP is still promoting risky and expensive gas infrastructure investments. The Commission should reject Cascade’s weak excuses to avoid investing in electrification and direct it to seriously evaluate and pursue this resource. I am particularly concerned about Cascade’s investment in new gas from the controversial GTN Xpress project. This project has an uncertain future and any investment in that project is economically risky. Given trends in federal, state and local policies that support more electrification and more deployment of heat pumps, I urge the Commission to reject Cascade's IRP. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Anne-Marie Eklund Anne-Marie Eklund, Ph.D. Middle School Science and Health Teacher Pronouns: She/Her/Hers https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/HUEEQJBzj9CsnGIv-yxR60tu7jAZEldHNwCpKkO9RSMzrXj8H5l_oXxGw23E4YFZdCWkFVUkm6YxYEVZniEHIVs8G4x0WgTms45zNr1jyWYKkWqXvp0vhkLBURyBVy0mzckVHsJuzB8x77b-7Rz3O1g 19860 Tumalo Reservoir Road | Bend, OR | 97703 541.382.0699 | cascadesacademy.org ________________________________________________ Our mission is to deliver meaningful, challenging and experiential education to inspire lifelong learners who are socially responsible individuals ready for a diverse and changing world. | |||||
| LC 83-3 | 3/19/2024 12:33:00 AM | 3/14/2024 11:17:02 AM | General Comment | Ellie.KNOLL@puc.oregon.gov | Ellie Knoll (She/Her) Oregon Public Utility Commission 201 High Street SE • Salem, OR 97301 • 503-580-8638 • ellie.knoll@puc.oregon.gov<mailto:ellie.knoll@puc.oregon.gov> logo_color From: Rowen Lucas <rowenleelucas@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2024 11:03 AM To: PUC PUC.FilingCenter * PUC <puc.filingcenter@puc.oregon.gov> Subject: Cascade Natural Gas IRP Comments (LC 83) rowenleelucas@gmail.com<mailto:rowenleelucas@gmail.com>. Chair Decker and Commissioner Tawney, thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Rowen Lucas and I am a member of the Deschutes Youth Climate Coalition based in Bend Oregon. We have been working with many organizations to address concerns regarding the GTN Xpress expansion project amongst other projects regarding electrification. I am testifying today to request that the Commission decline to acknowledge Cascade Natural Gas’ Integrated Resources Plan, and specifically reject the utility’s unrealistic and misleading claims about alternative fuels such as renewable natural gas and green hydrogen. Please eliminate Line Extension Allowances to ensure that ratepayers are not ill-informed to commit to supporting the expansion of the gas system. Commission staff have given Cascade clear direction to consider the role of building electrification as a resource for meeting its decarbonization obligations at the lowest cost and lowest risk for customers. Unfortunately Cascade’s IRP does not realistically model electrification as a decarbonization resource or non-pipe alternative to expensive, risky gas infrastructure investments. The Commission should reject Cascade’s weak excuses to avoid investing in electrification and direct it to seriously evaluate and pursue this resource. Additionally, Cascade’s investment in new gas from the controversial GTN Xpress project should be analyzed in light of the project’s uncertainty and risk of becoming a stranded asset. Although previously acknowledged, Cascade’s role in the GTN Xpress project should not be brushed over when considering next steps. Given trends in federal, state and local policies – such as the IRA promoting building electrification, state policy supportive of heat pump deployment, and local governments in Oregon and around the country passing electrification policies, we hope the Commission will ensure Cascade models scenarios in which its customer count goes down, as does the amount of gas customers are using. For the sake of my generation’s demanding efforts, please reject Cascade’s IRP. Thank you for your consideration. | |||||
| LC 83-4 | 3/19/2024 12:33:03 AM | 3/14/2024 8:49:30 AM | General Comment | Ellie.KNOLL@puc.oregon.gov | From: Beth Jacobi <beth.a.jacobi@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2024 9:26 PM To: PUC PUC.FilingCenter * PUC <puc.filingcenter@puc.oregon.gov> Subject: Cascade Natural Gas IRP Comments (LC 83) beth.a.jacobi@gmail.com<mailto:beth.a.jacobi@gmail.com>. Chair Decker, Commissioner Perkins, and Commissioner Tawney, My name is Beth Jacobi. I am a resident of Tumalo, OR and a member of the local chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby. Please reject Cascade Natural Gas’ Integrated Resources Plan. To meet state and local climate goals, it is time to reduce, not expand our fossil fuel infrastructure system. Please do not be misled or duped by the utility’s unrealistic and misleading claims about alternative fuels such as renewable natural gas and green hydrogen. Commission staff have given Cascade clear direction to evaluate the role of building electrification as a resource for meeting its decarbonization obligations at the lowest cost and lowest risk for customers. Unfortunately Cascade’s IRP does not realistically model electrification as a decarbonization resource or non-pipe alternative to expensive, risky gas infrastructure investments. The Commission should reject Cascade’s weak excuses to avoid investing in electrification and direct it to seriously evaluate and pursue this resource. Additionally, Cascade’s investment in new gas from the controversial GTN Xpress project should be analyzed in light of the project’s uncertainty and risk of becoming a stranded asset. Although previously acknowledged, Cascade’s investment in GTN Xpress should not be shielded from reassessment. Given trends in federal, state and local policies – such as the IRA promoting building electrification, state policy supportive of heat pump deployment, and local governments in Oregon and around the country passing electrification policies, we hope the Commission will ensure Cascade models scenarios in which its customer count goes down, as does the amount of gas customers are using. For all of the stated reasons, please reject Cascade’s IRP. Thank you for your service and for your consideration. Sincerely, Beth Jacobi -- Beth Jacobi, MSW 541-350-7945 beth.a.jacobi@gmail.com<mailto:beth.a.jacobi@gmail.com> Tumalo, OR |