CUB and Oregonians Call for Regulators to Dismiss PGE’s Increase Request

Posted on March 20, 2024 by Charlotte Shuff
Tags, Energy, General Interest

Woman with a microphone against a pink background

Despite an 18% increase in January, skyrocketing bills, and heavy outcry from customers, Portland General Electric (PGE) is asking for another 7% rate increase. PGE households’ bills have already gone up by 30% since December 2022. Now, we are calling on regulators to dismiss PGE’s latest bill increase request. Enough is enough.

We need your help in sending regulators a clear message: Now is not the time to entertain PGE’s unreasonable request to raise bills.

What is PGE Requesting?

PGE has requested $202 million (7.2%) under the guise of needing more money for battery storage projects. Despite that, only about $17 million of the request is actually for battery storage.

While battery storage is the talking point, the case is much more of a wish list by management:

Higher profit margins
Making it easier to raise prices every winter
Shifting financial risk to customers

PGE is Asking for Increases Regulators Already Rejected
In 2023, the Public Utility Commission rejected higher profit margins, shifting financial risk to customers, and more. CUB, advocates, and the Commission just spent nine months litigating these requests. Asking for all of these items again is a waste of time and resources, especially when nothing has changed.

CUB is Asking Regulators to Dismiss PGE’s Request

In a motion filed to the Oregon Public Utility Commission, CUB asked regulators to reject PGE’s 7.2 percent increase for customers. PGE customers just saw bills increase this January. We argued that there has been no sufficient change for the utility since regulators set new rates just weeks ago in December 2023. This request to dismiss is supported by the Green Energy Institute and the Alliance of Western Energy Consumers.

“We’re asking the Commission to do something they have never done before. We are seeing historically high bills for many PGE customers and we need regulators to do something bold and unprecedented. Now is the time to flip the script and show our utilities that consumer protections come before profits.” - Bob Jenks, Executive Director

CUB has also offered the Commission an alternative in its Thursday filing. If they are not willing to dismiss the entire case, the motion also includes an option to severely limit the scope of what PGE can request. This would include removing all of the items that the Commission just ruled against in December (higher profits, less financial risk for shareholders, and more).

Stop the Groundhog’s Day Loop of Requests

We cannot keep allowing utilities to continuously ask for the same bad policy over and over again. Instead of re-living these issues, regulators have a chance to flip the script. They can reject PGE’s request and send a strong sign to all utilities that customers come first.

We need regulators to hold the line and stop the Groundhog’s Day loop of unaffordable utilities. CUB and other advocates are calling on regulators to dismiss this request. In the case that this is too big of a pill for regulators to swallow, we are asking them to severely limit what PGE can request in this case. Since PGE is focusing on the need to pay for battery storage, there is no need to include a management wishlist.

Get Involved! Tell Regulators Enough is Enough.

Now is the time for regulators at the Public Utility Commission to step up and reject PGE’s request. Join CUB and ask the Commission to dismiss PGE’s request to raise customers’ bills.

Sign the petition: No Higher Bills for Higher Profits

This is a request that has never been done in Oregon. We know that it is going to be a tough sell for regulators. But bold action is needed from the Commission to protect Oregonians against skyrocketing utility bills.

Oregonians Are Speaking Out

Already, we’ve seen a groundswell of outcry over PGE’s latest proposed increase. More than 500 people have sent comments to the Oregon Public Utility Commission.

This is a massive amount of comments for a government body that most people have never heard of. Similar cases rarely receive even 100 comments.

Read some of what PGE customers are saying:

“I can’t hardly afford electricity anymore, people will lose their houses because they either keep warm and can’t pay their mortgage or they pay their mortgage and have to be cold” - PGE Customer, Gresham

“ Please do not approve PGE’s request for a rate increase. They already got one, and it’s been devastating. Everyone I know was horrified by their increased energy bills this year. The average person’s wallet is already strained right now, between out-of-control grocery prices, rent increases, and employers refusing to give anyone enough hours to live on. My family is struggling financially. We can’t possibly “save energy” any more than we already are, and we can’t possibly “save money” on anything else. There are no frivolities left to cut. We don’t have streaming services or cable TV. We don’t go out to eat anymore. We have the cheapest internet and phone service we can get that meets our work needs. We can barely afford basic necessities. Yes, we know about their income-qualified discount—it barely helps at all. It is PGE’s turn to be more responsible with their money. Please don’t let them hurt us even more.” - PGE Customer, Salem

“Please do not let PGE raise their rates again. We have no other option for electricity where I live and we can not afford to keep the lights on and feed our families.” - PGE Customer, Banks

“I understand the need for updating infrastructure, but before any more rate increases are approved for PGE there needs to be increased fiscal oversight and accountability. The latest bill for my family of four who lives rural with an electric furnace we NEVER use was $388. When we moved to our home in 2022, the same usage would have cost us $271. Neither my husband who works private sector or myself who is a government employee have received any wage increase to help offset the rising cost of living. Electricity is a necessity. I ask for some serious review and consideration on this proposal before people are forced to live in the dark” - PGE Customer, Scotts Mills

“For the love of all that is good and holy (and my bank account), do not raise the rates again. I will cry.” - PGE Customer, Beaverton

Want to add your voice and speak out against another PGE rate increase?

Tell the Commission What You Think!

Stay Up to Date on Oregon Utility Issues

CUB will continue to advocate for people in Oregon on major utility issues. Sign up for the CUB email list for the latest updates, action alerts, and news on policies that affect the utilities your home relies on.

Donate to CUB

To keep up with CUB, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!