Member Spotlight: Why Do You Support CUB?
Posted on September 24, 2026 by Cassie Allen
Tags, General Interest
For over forty years, CUB has been a membership organization. Because of our members’ support, we can keep advocating for fair, affordable energy in Oregon. Our members empower us to keep pushing forward.
Today, we’re excited to spotlight the voices of our members. From affordability to climate justice to data centers, people join CUB for all kinds of reasons and from all walks of life. Hear directly from them on why they keep supporting CUB throughout the years.
Member Spotlight
Energy Affordability and the Cost of Living
Over the last 5 years, household energy bills have skyrocketed. Many Oregonians are struggling with the rising cost of living, and disconnection rates have hit all-time highs. Our staff often hears from folks deeply affected by Oregon’s energy affordability crisis.
For many members, advocating for more affordable energy is what motivates them to support CUB. We don’t take that support for granted. Thank you to our members for tirelessly pushing for more affordable energy rates!
“As a public school educator for 38 years, I am very aware of the connection between the lack of reliable access to basic human services such as water and electricity and the negative impact on our most vulnerable children/youths’ housing stability and educational outcomes. As a retiree in Portland, OR, I am very aware that continually rising electricity and water costs are a very real part of our housing crisis. It is vitally important that we work to stem the tide of ever-increasing rate hikes from PGE. We need concerned citizens to work together with our government and utility companies to ensure reasonable rates and practices that support the well-being of our community.”
- Carol M.
“I moved into a new place May 15th, and since then we’ve dealt with power loss three times, for around 6 hours or longer each time. Today is August 9th, so it has not even been three months of living here. Hearing rates would be raised again, and at such a high rate of increase is preposterous. We can’t rely on service, yet are going to be forced to pay on average $30 more a month (avg $360 more a year) on what’s already a roughly $150 monthly bill? Power, heat, and more are vital services. They’re necessary to keep people safe, healthy, and ultimately alive. When looking at the possibility of a recession and growing economic instability in the near future, how do you expect your customers to make ends meet to pay your increasing rates (with no guarantee of better service)?”
- Lex S.
Clean Energy: Reducing Utility Emissions
For some Oregonians, addressing climate change by reducing emissions is what draws them to CUB. Our work to transition the utilities to clean energy impacts all customers. In this respect, our members are doing the work to help everyone in Oregon transition to cleaner energy.
“I’ve worked in or around the clean energy sector for decades. As clean energy is almost always the best way of keeping emissions and utility rates down, Oregon policymakers consider CUB as one of the most credible and respected voices in this subject matter arena. Keep up the great work!”
- Jay W.
“CUB works for the benefit of all Oregonians—holding down unnecessary utility costs, advocating for clean energy, supporting needed help for those in financial difficulties with utility bills, plus other helpful deeds. Not everyone can afford to support the work CUB does. It is necessary for those of us who can donate to do so. OREGON NEEDS CUB to be our spokesperson with the PUC Board!”
- Bj S.
“I’ve been a CUB member for many years. I’ve now been retired for ten years, living on Social Security, but it’s still important to me to contribute to CUB. I look at it as an investment which has kept my utility bills lower than they would be otherwise, but also as an investment in the future for all Oregonians to have cleaner and more affordable energy.”
- Beverly W.
Energy Issues: Data Centers
For some members, specific energy issues, like data centers or corporate greed, were the catalyst to get involved. They understand that when data centers pass on their costs to customers, it drives up energy bills, hurting all Oregonians. Thank you to our members for advocating for more data center protections!
“I donated because I think it’s important that people place a check on private utility companies, especially with the emergence of AI data centers and the fact that these utility companies have decided to shift the cost burden to working-class ratepayers, and not to the billionaires who own these AI companies.”
- Brian A.
“For decades, I have supported CUB because unless giant corporations are challenged, they will justify and implement rate increases to the benefit of not only the corporation but also the stockholders, while the ratepayers bear the burden. I have no problem with normal expenses to maintain and improve the system as it stands. This is when CUB intervenes to balance out and justify the rate increases. Bravo CUB!!”
- John G.
A Lasting Impact: Supporting CUB Since the Beginning
Some of our members have been with CUB since we were founded in 1984. They’ve stuck with us and watched our organization grow from a tiny, scrappy group of volunteers to the well-respected nonprofit we are today.
“It must have been 1984 (I thought it was earlier) that a CUB supporter knocked, and we talked about the value of supporting CUB. Over the following years, I’ve come to better appreciate the impact and importance of having a Citizens Utility Board. After intermittent contributions, I became a sustaining member. All because an individual made that effort to share his conviction in a way that convinced me to listen and better understand the value of having a citizen’s lobby.”
- Hugh S.
“We have been a member/donor to CUB from its inception. As a non-profit organization, serving as our citizen lawyer, researching, watchdogging, and testifying on our behalf, we appreciate you. You’ve saved us untold dollars in energy charges over the years. Every user of energy in Oregon would benefit themselves and their neighbors by being a member of CUB. Thank you!”
- Fran G.
Thank You to Our Members
Our members truly empower us to advocate for all of Oregon’s utility customers. Together, we will keep pushing for more affordable and equitable utilities. Thank you to our members for making this work possible!
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09/24/26 | 0 Comments | Member Spotlight: Why Do You Support CUB?