Large Load Electricity Moratorium
City of Canby Intends to Explore Need for Moratorium for Large Load Electricity Users
Temporary suspension of new large load electricity applications within City limits.
On July 31st, 2025, the City of Canby notified the Department of Land Conservation & Development of its intent to explore the need for a moratorium on construction and land development within the City.
If declared, this moratorium would be justified upon a demonstration of “compelling need” (ORS 197.520(3)) and would likely temporarily suspend new large load electricity applications within City limits. Although staff strongly anticipates that large loads would be subject to this moratorium, the actual details will be solidified at a later Canby City Council public hearing.
“This procedural step is a proactive action the city is taking in partnership with our Canby Utility Board to essentially press pause on certain City of Canby development applications until such time that we can all get a much clearer understanding of the power grid/supply constraints from both the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and Portland General Electric (PGE),” said City of Canby Mayor Brian Hodson.
One megawatt of capacity generates electricity equating to the amount of electricity consumed by approximately 200 homes. BPA provides Canby Utility at-cost, wholesale power. Energy is delivered to the substations by PGE’s 57kV looped transmission system. Canby Utility sources its electrical distribution system at two locations: the Westcott Substation located near OR-99E and S. Redwood; and the substation located on Knights Bridge Road at Barlow Road.
“We sincerely appreciate the collaboration and support from our leadership at the City of Canby as we work through these challenging energy supply and transmission questions with both BPA and PGE,” said Canby Utility Board Chair Melody Thompson. “Pressing pause on large load development applications allows Canby Utility the opportunity to actively work with both BPA and PGE to identify solutions as quickly as possible for those development applications already fully entitled, as well as future concepts that are speculative in nature due to power constraints,” continued Chair Thompson.
Canby Utility will continue small-scale electrical connections, although larger-scale industrial development will likely be affected during the moratorium.
The City of Canby and Canby Utility continue their respective commitments to serving the residents, community organizations, and businesses within Canby. The two entities will continue to collaborate to address the electricity constraints and prioritize long-term solutions.
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The City of Canby, population 19,000, was founded by Major General Edward R.S. Canby and was incorporated on February 15, 1893 making it the second oldest city in Clackamas County. Many of the early buildings and homes in the original 24-block town site still exist and the city is surrounded by early farmhouses and barns, reminders of Canby's early pioneer, railroad and agricultural heritage.
Canby Utility is a full-requirements customer of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), meaning all power is sourced through BPA. That power is transmitted over a regional network of high-voltage transmission lines. To reach service area customers, BPA partners with Portland General Electric (PGE) to deliver electricity via PGE’s transmission system to Canby Utility’s two substations.
