Successful Rules for SB 1520 – Renewable Energy Cooperatives

On Oct 6, the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) filed the rules to implement SB 1520. We want to extend our thanks for your valuable letters and testimony. Stakeholder participation changed the conversation and greatly improved upon the proposed rules. We now have a clear path to the formation of Renewable Energy Coops in our state. In fact, formation of Oregon’s first renewable energy cooperative is underway with projects under consideration for 2015!  If you are interested in getting involved with the Oregon Solar Coop, please contact OREP board member, Dan Orzech.

As per Mr. Blackwell of DCBS, several changes that were incorporated into the final rules as a result of our requests include:

• “The dollar cap for sales to non-accredited investors moved from $750,000 to $1,500,000. Our understanding is that most community solar and wind projects would be covered by that dollar amount.
• “We changed the rules around advertising to include general information about present and future projects.
• “Renewable energy cooperative corporations seeking to establish a community based upon a common bond of interest or relationship may also include residents of certain geographic areas as part of the overall “community.” To bring in geographic groups, however, will require some advance notice to our office.”

The final rules are posted here.