ORS 757.747 Environmental justice; commission to establish equity metrics

As used in this section, “environmental justice” means the equal treatment, protection from environmental and health hazards, and meaningful involvement of environmental justice communities in the development, implementation and enforcement of regulations and policies that affect the environment in which people live, work, learn, practice spirituality and play.

The Public Utility Commission shall establish, and update no less than once every four years, equity metrics for the purpose of assessing, addressing and creating accountability for environmental justice in the expenditure and investment of funds collected pursuant to ORS 757.054, through natural gas tariffs or through public purpose charges pursuant to ORS 757.612 and paid to a nongovernmental entity. The equity metrics and each update required by this section must reflect feedback gathered through a public process that is managed by the commission and that, at a minimum, includes representatives of environmental justice communities.

Each nongovernmental entity that is paid funds collected pursuant to ORS 757.054, through natural gas tariffs or through public purpose charges pursuant to ORS 757.612 shall, as part of the entity’s filings required under ORS 757.746 (1)(f), report on the entity’s progress in achieving the equity metrics established pursuant to this section.