2021 Oregon Revised Statutes
Chapter 543 - Hydroelectric Projects
Section 543.050 - Powers of Water Resources Commission as to permits, licenses, investigations, reports, forms and examination of records.


(1) Issue preliminary permits, as provided in ORS 543.210 to 543.250, to any person qualified to become a licensee.
(2) Issue licenses, as provided in ORS 543.260, to citizens of the United States, associations of citizens, or private corporations organized under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States, to appropriate, initiate, perfect, acquire and hold the right to the use of waters within the state, including waters over which the state has concurrent jurisdiction, and to construct, operate and maintain dams, reservoirs, power houses, conduits, transmission lines, and all other works and structures necessary or convenient for the use of the waters in the generation and utilization of electricity.
(3) Conduct investigations and collect information the commission considers necessary or useful for the purposes of ORS 543.010 to 543.610 and cooperate with the federal government and adjoining states concerning all such matters, particularly with reference to waters forming the boundary between this state and another state.
(4) Prescribe the forms of all accounts, records and memoranda to be kept by licensees under ORS 543.010 to 543.610.
(5) Examine at any time all accounts, books of account and documents and data related to the business of a licensee under ORS 543.010 to 543.610; and require a licensee to submit, whenever required by the commission, reports and statements under oath containing information as to assets, liabilities, capitalization, gross receipts, interest and dividend requirements, interest due and paid, amortization and other reserves, net investment, cost of any project constructed, maintained or operated, in whole or in part, cost of maintenance, operation, renewals, replacements, cost of production, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity, and other data as the commission may require.
(6) Perform all acts, exercise all powers and issue all orders which, in the judgment and discretion of the commission, are necessary to effectuate the purposes of ORS 543.010 to 543.610. [Amended by 1955 c.673 §3; 1955 c.707 §39; 1961 c.224 §13; 1985 c.673 §140; 1995 c.229 §3]

Structure 2021 Oregon Revised Statutes

2021 Oregon Revised Statutes

Volume : 15 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food

Chapter 543 - Hydroelectric Projects

Section 543.010 - Definitions for ORS 543.010 to 543.610.

Section 543.012 - Applicability of chapter to reauthorization of existing hydroelectric project.

Section 543.013 - Applicability of chapter and ORS chapter 543A to ocean renewable energy facility.

Section 543.015 - Policy.

Section 543.017 - Minimum standards for development of hydroelectric power; public interest considerations; rules.

Section 543.050 - Powers of Water Resources Commission as to permits, licenses, investigations, reports, forms and examination of records.

Section 543.055 - Hearings and witnesses.

Section 543.075 - Definitions for ORS 543.075 to 543.092.

Section 543.078 - Annual fee for hydroelectric project.

Section 543.080 - Project specific fees; summary of project specific expenditures.

Section 543.082 - Invoice for fees; overdue fee; interest on delinquent fees.

Section 543.085 - Periodic review of annual fee.

Section 543.088 - Payment of costs or fee for reauthorization or relicensing of project.

Section 543.090 - Payment of expenses of Hydroelectric Application Review Team for project operating under federal license and state power claim or uncertificated claim.

Section 543.092 - Amendment of hydroelectric water right or claim; rules; unilateral amendment of power claim or uncertificated claim to assess project specific fees.

Section 543.095 - Challenges to certain statutes related to hydroelectric projects.

Section 543.160 - Hydroelectric facility on North Santiam River prohibited; exception.

Section 543.165 - Hydroelectric facility on part of Deschutes River prohibited.

Section 543.170 - Hydroelectric facility on Isqúulktpe Creek prohibited.

Section 543.175 - Hydroelectric facility on Deschutes River within City of Bend prohibited; exception.

Section 543.210 - Preliminary permits; application; contents; fee.

Section 543.220 - Notice of filing of application; waiting period.

Section 543.225 - Hearing on application; notice; policy.

Section 543.230 - Hearings on application; rules; protest.

Section 543.255 - Determination of cumulative impacts of proposed hydroelectric power projects; consolidated review; applicability.

Section 543.260 - Licenses; duration; terms and conditions; termination; denial of application; preference of municipality or utility district.

Section 543.265 - Testing of fish protection measures as condition for hydroelectric project permit or license; scope and cost.

Section 543.280 - Fee payments by licensee.

Section 543.290 - Filing of maps, plans, estimates and other materials; incorporation as part of license; alteration; further statements and data.

Section 543.300 - Conditions governing license; fees; waiver of conditions.

Section 543.410 - Construction of project; time for commencement and completion; supply of service; extension of time; nonperformance; termination of license.

Section 543.525 - ORS 543.530 to 543.550 not applicable to regulated utilities.

Section 543.530 - Issuance by licensee of stocks, bonds or other interest without authorization of Water Resources Commission prohibited.

Section 543.610 - Acquisition of project by state or municipality.

Section 543.655 - Definitions for ORS 543.650 to 543.685.

Section 543.660 - Authority of district to enlarge or modify water system and power generating facilities; joint district ventures; prohibitions; sale of energy; regulations.

Section 543.665 - Authority to issue revenue bonds to acquire hydroelectric facilities.

Section 543.685 - District board to require weatherization; Weatherization Fund; purpose.

Section 543.720 - Payment of annual fee; accompanying statement; penalty for nonpayment of fees or nonfiling; lien; foreclosure; effect of filing excessive claim; computation of horsepower.

Section 543.730 - Failure to file statement or pay fees as evidence of abandonment of claim; cancellation of claim, permit and water right certificate.

Section 543.760 - Definition of water right.

Section 543.765 - Certificate to use water for hydroelectric purposes within artificial delivery system; expedited application process; certificate conditions; annual payments; fees.

Section 543.990 - Penalties.