Speaking Up on Utility Issues: Public Comment Hearings at the Public Utility Commission

Editor’s Note: The next Public Comment Hearing will address the Pacific Power proposed rate increase. This hearing is coming up on Tuesday, May 24th at 6 pm. CUB needs your help to speak out against the proposed $106 million (14%) increase for Oregon households. For more information and how to join, visit CUB’s Events page.

Are you interested in speaking up about utility issues that impact you? Many customers see changes like increasing bills but don’t know what to do about it.

One way to make your voice heard is to share your comments with regulators at Public Comment Hearings. These hearings are hosted by the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC), Oregon’s utility regulators.

What is the Public Utility Commission?
The Public Utility Commission (PUC) is the state agency in charge of regulating customer rates and services in Oregon. It is made up of three governor-appointed Commissioners. The PUC also includes staff who support the Commissioners. This agency regulates Oregon’s largest utilities: Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, Idaho Power, NW Natural, Avista, and Cascade Natural Gas.

Part of the PUC’s role is making decisions around increasing customer rates. (Rates are how your utility bills are calculated.) Public Comment Hearings are special hearings around specific topics. These special hearings allow the public to give their opinions on issues directly affecting customers.

Here’s what you can expect, how you can join, and how to submit comments.

What are Public Comment Hearings?
Public Comment Hearings are opportunities for regulators to hear the opinions community members. The public can comment on matters that may impact utility customers, including utility requests for a rate increase. These hearings are open for anyone to join and share comments.

The opinion of the public is increasingly important as higher rates are proposed. It is important for Commissioners to hear from those most impacted by rising bills.

How do you join a Public Comment Hearing?
All Public Comment Hearings are held virtually via Zoom. The PUC will have a Zoom link available for the hearing and information to call in by phone. Once you have the login information, joining the hearing is as easy as calling in.

Public hearings are listed on the PUC Website. Unfortunately, this calendar can be a little hard to understand for someone outside of the utility industry. For hearings on bill increases, look out for events that include “Request for a General Rate Revision Hearing.”

For a plain language calendar, you can visit CUB’s Events page for hearing dates and login information.

What can you expect to happen at the hearing?
When entering the meeting you will be on mute and have your video turned off. Once in the meeting, the Commissioners will introduce themselves. A PUC staff person, called an Administrative Law Judge, will go through the proceedings. There will be a short presentation that goes over some of the basics of the rate case or issue. Then, the PUC will open public comment.

During comments, the Commissioners will not engage in discussion or answer questions. They will be there to listen to what everyone has to say.

How do you make a comment during the hearing?
The Commissioners will ask anyone interested in making a comment to “raise their hand.” This is done on a computer or tablet by clicking on the “Reactions” button on the bar at the bottom of your Zoom screen. Next, select the “Raise your hand button.” This will add you to the queue to speak. Staff will call your name and unmute you to speak.

If calling in by phone, you will be asked to press *6 to raise your hand. When they call your name, you can press *9 to unmute.

How can you request accommodations?
Currently, the PUC states that you can request accommodation for these meetings at least 48 hours before the meeting time. You can find more information about accommodations and the public hearing process on the PUC events webpage. 

If you or others need an interpreter, make sure to request this accommodation as early as possible. Please note that this request may not be honored by the PUC if they cannot find an interpreter. Unfortunately, at this time, accommodations for languages other than English are not guaranteed. 

How can you get involved?
The best way to get notified about upcoming public hearings is to sign up for CUB’s email list. We will send you dates, talking points, and some of the major items that CUB will be working on during each rate case.

Can’t join a public hearing but still want to give the Commission your thoughts? You can submit your comments to the PUC. Make sure to include the docket number for the issue you’re commenting on. (Unsure of the docket number? Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and we can help.)

By email – .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
By Mail - Oregon Public Utility Commission, Attn: Public Comment, PO Box 1088, Salem OR 97308-1088
By Phone - 503-378-6600 or 800-522-2404 or TTY 800-648-3458 weekdays from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Your Voice Matters
While these more formal settings can feel intimidating, your voice matters. The PUC’s mission is “to ensure Oregon utility customers have access to safe, reliable, and high-quality utility services at just and reasonable rates.” Regulators need to hear directly from customers like you that their decisions impact.

When sharing comments, be sure to be brief (about two minutes) and respectful. Make your comments personal. Let the Commissioners know how the decision will impact you and your community. Keep to the facts. Before these Public Comment Hearings, CUB will share key facts and talking points to our email list.

CUB is committed to ensuring utility policies protect your wallet and the environment. We always work to make sure utilities serve their customers’ interests. Stay tuned to the CUB Blog for updates on upcoming Public Comment Hearings.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can get involved, or for help preparing to join a Public Comment Hearing, email us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

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