2022 In Review: Big Wins for Oregon Utility Customers

This has been a busy year at CUB! From testifying in front of the Oregon Legislature to litigating rate cases, our small team of advocates had their work cut out for them this year. We pushed back on utilities’ requests to raise bills for customers. We helped add $157 million to rural broadband internet investments. We slashed NW Natural’s customer-fund expansion subsidies in half.

But we didn’t do this work alone. CUB is incredibly grateful to work with a lot of other organizations to make these successes possible. Verde led the charge on the Heat Relief for Oregonians Bill, creating vital access to cooling for renters. Community Energy Project brought their expertise from low-income communities to help create new low-income energy bill discounts and stronger protections against shut-offs. A whole host of talented advocates joined this year’s NW Natural rate case, including the Green Energy Institute, Climate Solutions, Oregon Environmental Council, Sierra Club, and more.

We are also grateful for CUB members. Our members showed up to speak out against bill increases at public hearings held by state utility regulators in record numbers this year. You talked to your elected officials, sent comments to state officials, and made your voices heard. Thank you for your donations, your actions, and your voices.

Here at CUB, we believe that our voices are stronger together. We look forward to continuing to speak out for Oregon households’ utility interests in 2023.

2022 Accomplishments

CUB saved customers more than $250 million in 2022.
These savings came from a series of rate cases for PGE, Pacific Power, Northwest Natural Gas, and Avista utilities. CUB reduced profit margins, stopped unnecessary investments, and eliminated oversized executive compensation. In all cases, CUB held utilities accountable for providing service at an affordable cost. CUB’s advocacy cut PGE’s rate increase by $80 million. In the case of Avista Utilities, we were able to get a rate decrease implemented in August.

Curbing Winter Heating Bills.
NW Natural and Pacific Power customers were facing huge increases on their winter heating bills. CUB worked with utilities and regulators to reduce these increases to keep rates as affordable as possible through the winter. By delaying much of these bill increases until the spring, more households can stay warm and avoid disconnection.

Cut Customer-Funded Subsidies for Gas Expansion.
CUB advocacy cut in half the subsidies that NW Natural customers pay to expand the gas system. With the increasing use of efficient electric heat pumps to heat and cool buildings and requirements to reduce gas system GHG emissions, these subsidies are no longer justifiable.

In 2022, each new gas hookup cost customers $2875. The company was set to spend approximately $28 million annually to add 10,000 customers each year for the foreseeable future. CUB’s advocacy will save NW Natural customers tens of millions of dollars on expansion subsidies.

Eliminated Customer-Funded Pro-Fossil Fuel Advertising.
NW Natural wanted customers to pay $1 million per year in promotional advertising. Under current regulations, customers should not be charged for this type of advertising. CUB was able to eliminate this expense.

CUB advocated that Cascade Natural Gas should cut back on its new investments in gas pipelines. State utility regulators agreed and rejected the new investments. Instead, Cascade will look to alternative, lower-cost methods to manage peak demand for gas. 

New Low-Income Bill Discount Programs Now Available.
CUB helped design new low-income discount programs. These programs save qualified customers between 20-90% on their monthly energy bills. Discounts are being offered by PGE, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Avista Utilities, and Cascade Natural Gas.

Many groups were involved in the creation of these programs, including the Multnomah County Office of Sustainability, Community Energy Project, Community Action Partnership of Oregon (CAPO), Rogue Climate, Coalition of Communities of Color, NW Energy Coalition, and Euvalcree.

Heat Relief for Oregonians Law Passed.
CUB successfully supported legislation to make it easier for renters and low-income households to access cooling technologies, such as air conditioners and heat pumps. There is now $5 million for emergency air conditioners, $25 million for heat pumps (high-efficiency heating and cooling), and $4.5 million for warming and cooling centers.

This law was made possible by the hard work of health professionals, energy advocates, and environmental justice organizations. A special thanks to Verde for leading this charge.

More Equitable Electric Transportation Planning.
After several years of advocacy, electric transportation in Oregon is on its way to becoming more equitable. CUB helped establish holistic planning processes for electric transportation in Oregon. New requirements by regulators will improve how utilities evaluate investments to serve electric vehicles. These new rules aim to prioritize serving renters, low-income households, multifamily housing, schools, and public transit.

Stronger Protections for Low-Income Households Against Disconnections and More.
CUB won changes to Oregon’s utility consumer protection rules with state regulators. These new protections will end late payment charges for low-income customers, prevent shut-offs in extreme weather conditions, and eliminate deposits for low-income customers. Winning these protections was a major win for the entire coalition involved, including the Multnomah County Office of Sustainability, Community Energy Project, and more.

Eliminating Deposits for Residential Utility Customers.
Paying a large deposit to a utility company is one more barrier to finding housing for low-income and vulnerable Oregonians. CUB won an agreement with PGE to eliminate deposits for all residential customers and from NW Natural for new customers. 

More Investment in Rural Broadband. CUB successfully supported legislation to expand broadband investment for rural Oregon.  This new law allows Oregon to receive $157 million in federal funding. These new investments will bring broadband to rural communities where it is not available. New funds will also support bill assistance for households that cannot afford broadband.

Stay in Touch!

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