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PGE Customers Can Weigh in on Rate Increase on May 3

Posted on April 20, 2023 by Charlotte Shuff
Tags,  Energy,  General Interest

Image of a microphone with a blurred background

This spring, Portland General Electric (PGE) is asking regulators to approve a new bill increase for customers. At $338 million, this is the largest request in over 20 years. 

On May 3 at 6pm, PGE customers and community advocates will have a chance to weigh in on this rate increase at a public hearing. Regulators will make a final decision in December. New billing rates will go into effect on January 1, 2024.

What Customers Could Expect in 2024 Bills

The proposed bill increase will impact households differently depending on the type of housing and energy usage. For multifamily residents, it could be an average increase of $15.81 each month. For single-family residents, it could add $22.71 each month.

PGE Customers Can Weigh in at the May 3 Public Hearing

Public Hearing
Hosted by the Public Utility Commission
Wednesday, May 3
6pm via Zoom

Zoom information and call-in options are available here. Spanish interpretation is available free of charge. Any additional accommodations must be requested to the Public Utility Commission 48 hours in advance (see link for instructions on requesting accommodations).

PGE customers and advocates representing organizations are welcome to share comments at this hearing. (Any organization that has filed as an intervenor in this case should not provide comments at this hearing.)

What to Expect at the Public Hearing
This public hearing is hosted by the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC). The event will begin with brief presentations from PUC staff to explain the rate case process. Anyone who is interested in making comments will be allowed to speak after these presentations. The comment period will be open until at least 7:00pm. That period will be extended if more time is needed for everyone interested in commenting. For more information on what to expect at this public hearing, see CUB’s full explainer.

Public Hearing Testimony Guide

Can’t make it to the hearing?
Use this form or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (include “Comments on UE 416 in the subject!) to submit comments directly. Comments can also be shared over the phone at 503-378-6600.

What is Included in This Rate Increase

Overall, PGE is requesting $336 million more from all customers each year. They are asking residential customers to cover $192 million of the total increase.

18.4% of the total rate increase is coming from rising natural gas prices.
Adjusting for Higher Power Costs: $129.8 million of the total increase is coming from rising costs of electricity generation. $62.4 million is from natural gas costs alone. PGE also wants to change how it can adjust customer bills for these costs to get more money in the future. This goes against standard business practices for Oregon utilities.

PGE may be asking for more than is reasonable for new infrastructure.
Faraday Hydroelectricity Facility: In 2018, PGE planned on spending $84 million rebuilding the Faraday facility near Estacada. The project has been delayed by 4 years and has ballooned in cost. PGE is requesting to collect $147.8 million for this project.

PGE also wants to add tens of millions of dollars to increase shareholder profits.
CUB believes that it is inappropriate to ask for higher profits when customers are facing a historic bill increase.

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04/20/23  |  2 Comments  |  PGE Customers Can Weigh in on Rate Increase on May 3

Comments

  • 1.PGE DOES NOT NEED TO RAISE RATES ON OREGONIANS—SO MANY OF WHOM ARE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY. YOU ARE ALREADY AN EXTREMELY UNPOPULAR CORPORATION & THIS ATTEMPT TO INCREASE YOUR PROFITS IS UNNECESSARY & HORRIBLY TIMED. NO TO PGE'S PROPOSED RATE INCREASE.

    Jynx Houston | April 2023

  • 2.I have always paid my utility bills on time. I am now on a fixed income, after working for more than 50 years. Unlike others my age who have worked that long, I do not have a retirement account that I can lean on. That is difficult for me to admit, after working steadily throughout my life. But, I am not the only person in this state of affairs. There are many who cannot afford a 15-20% increase in their utility bills. I was proud of myself for getting a new furnace paid off before retiring, the latter event an unexpected one as I was diagnosed with cancer, and despite my plan to continue working at least part time through treatment, found I was unable to tolerate the treatment well and had to retire. I still have a mortgage to pay. Both the natural gas company and the electric company want to increase their rates, just because they think they can, and because they want more money for themselves, their executives, and their shareholders. Basically it because of greed. They can try gaslighting their customer base by offering various forms of payment, spreading the cost in fixed amounts throughout the year, but what it amounts to in the final analysis is greed. I think with all the money that the top 1% earners, the billionaires and millionaires in this country make, they should shoulder the lion's share of rate increases, and there should be rate discounts for people on fixed income. Especially for loyal customers who have never reneged on their bill payments throughout their lifetime.

    Barbara Troxel | April 2023

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