Or. Admin. R. 860-001-0850

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 9, September 1, 2024

Section 860-001-0850 - Pre-certification Fund

(1) No more than five eligible organizations will be Pre-certified each year.

(2) Pre-certified Organizations may request an Advance from the Pre-certification accounts in the next year.

(3) Applications for Pre-certification for the subsequent year must be filed no later than November 10 in docket UM 2276.

(4) Pre-certification requests must include the following elements:

(a) A narrative on why the applicant meets the eligibility criteria set forth in OAR 860-001-0840;

(b) The types of matters in which the applicant intends to participate, the nature of that participation, and why these types of matters are Eligible Proceedings;

(c) The Participating Public Utility account or accounts from which the applicant seeks funds; and

(d) A budget showing estimated Eligible Expenses.

(5) Any person may provide a response to an application within 14 days of the filing of the application.

(6) The Commission will make best efforts to review and act upon an application for Pre-certification within 45 days of receipt. The Commission may approve or deny, in whole or in part, the application based on any of the following factors:

(a) The breadth and complexity of the issues or the importance of community participation;

(b) The degree to which any policy issues affect the interests of low-income residential customers or the interests of residential customers that are members of Environmental Justice Communities;

(c) The proposed budget; which must include a description of the Participating Public Utility account or accounts from which the applicant seeks funds and how payments should be apportioned.

(d) The eligibility criteria to which the applicant is subject;

(e) The qualifications of the applicant and experience before the Commission; and

(f) The level of available Pre-certified Funds consistent with the Agreement.

(7) Once Pre-certified, an organization will remain Pre-certified for one year unless the Commission terminates the Pre-certification.

(8) A Pre-certification Fund Grant recipient may file a request to amend its budget for good cause. The Commission will make best efforts to act upon the request within 21 days of receiving the proposed amendment or, if applicable, any supplemental information provided in response to the Commission's request. Any person may provide a response to a proposed budget amendment within 14 days of the filing of the request.

(9) The Commission may amend an approved Pre-certified grantee's budget if it finds that the approved budget is no longer warranted. If the Commission amends an approved budget, it will provide notice to the Pre-certification Fund Grant recipient and afford an opportunity to comment and provide a revised budget.

Or. Admin. R. 860-001-0850

PUC 1-2023, adopt filed 05/10/2023, effective 5/10/2023

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 757.072

Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 757.072