Speak Out on PGE’s Rate Increase by June 14
Posted on June 6, 2024 by Abbey Parnall
Tags, Energy, General Interest
The Public Utility Commission will be accepting public comments on the Portland General Electric (PGE) through June 14, 2024. If you would like to add your comments, you can do so using CUB’s Action Form. You can also email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with the subject line “Public Comments on UE 435”.
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.
What is PGE asking for?
PGE has requested $202 million (7.2%) under the guise of needing more money for battery storage projects. Only about $17 million is 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
The system is not set up to protect customers. It is designed to facilitate utility rate cases. We must keep up the pressure and force regulators to hear from impacted Oregonians.
What People Are Saying
Many community partners and PGE customers alike have spoken up against PGE’s rate increase. Here’s what some had to say at the May 16th public hearing:
Branden Dross, City Administrator of the City of Lafayette, stated “It’s damaging the pocketbooks of the working class.”
Kendall, a PGE customer, stated “The last increase more than doubled my monthly bill.”
Silvia Tanner, Senior Energy Policy and Legal Analyst with the Office of Sustainability, commented “We encourage you to reject this proposal because it is a risk shift to customers. This is not the time for proposals to raise customer rates and shift risks to customers. This is not the time to add new mechanisms to raise rates outside of the comprehensive process afforded in our rate case.”
Your Voice Matters
Your comments are crucial. When many people speak out, it pressures the PUC to review the rate increase more carefully. Public input can lead to better outcomes and prevent unfair rate hikes. Your story is important to this process because otherwise, regulators only hear the utility companies’ side.
CUB Will Continue to Fight PGE’s Request
The Public Utility Commission will decide on this rate case by December 19, 2024. Any increase in rates will take effect for PGE customers in January 2025.
CUB’s policy team will continue to advocate for Oregon households and fight unfair rate increases. To read more about the details of this rate case, visit this recent post on the CUB Blog.
06/06/24 | 0 Comments | Speak Out on PGE’s Rate Increase by June 14