(2) The Legislative Assembly finds and declares that:

(a) Energy efficiency programs promote lower energy bills, protect the public health and safety, improve environmental benefits, stimulate sustainable economic development, create new employment opportunities and reduce reliance on imported fuels; and

(b) Demand response resources result in more efficient use of existing resources and reduce the need for procuring new power generating resources, which, in turn, reduces energy bills, protects the public health and safety and improves environmental benefits.

(3) For the purpose of ensuring prudent investments by an electric company in energy efficiency and demand response before the electric company acquires new generating resources, and in order to produce cost-effective energy savings, reduce customer demand for energy, reduce overall electrical system costs, increase the public health and safety and improve environmental benefits, each electric company serving customers in this state shall:

(a) Plan for and pursue all available energy efficiency resources that are cost effective, reliable and feasible; and

(b) As directed by the Public Utility Commission by rule or order, plan for and pursue the acquisition of cost-effective demand response resources. [2016 c.28 §19]

Note: 757.054 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 757 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.