Working Class Oregonians Speak in Support of HB 3179

The House Commerce & Consumer Protections Committee will be holding another hearing for HB 3179 on Tuesday 2/25/25. After that, we expect a vote in this committee in the coming weeks. If you would like to support HB 3179, email your house representative and share your support for this key piece of legislation!

On Thursday, February 20, the House Commerce & Consumer Protections Committee held a public hearing on HB 3197, The FAIR Energy Act. The bill seeks to address affordability and transparency for Oregon utility customers.

The FAIR Energy Act empowers state regulators to set energy billing rates at the lowest possible level, so families can better avoid big increases in energy bills. The bill also will move any increases out of winter, when energy usage is highest. Utilities will also have more flexibility to use low-cost financing for important investments in the energy grid to keep customer impacts low. In addition to these protections, the bill will increase transparency so that consumers know what they are paying for and what to expect from any changes in energy bills.

Read More: CUB Supports the Fair Energy Act (HB 3179)

Too Many Oregonians Are Struggling To Pay Their Energy Bills

We know that Oregonians are struggling with energy costs:

• Oregon’s largest utilities have raised billing rates by nearly 50% since 2021.
• As of October 2024, we estimate that at least 152,500 Oregonians behind on bills were disconnected by the 3 largest energy utilities—nearly the population of Salem.
• While some assistance programs are available, current energy assistance programs alone are not enough to keep up with the needs of utility customers.

Over the past months, CUB has received countless stories from community members struggling to keep the lights on, sharing how the yearly rate increases have impacted their day-to-day lives. CUB and other community partners traveled to the Capitol to uplift the voices of those struggling with energy affordability.

Working Class Oregonians Speak in Support of HB 3179

Thanks to organizing efforts from Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board, Oregon Just Transition Alliance, VERDE, and Community Energy Project, community members burdened by high utility costs were able to share their stories and support for the Fair Energy Act.

Bob Jenks, CUB’s Executive Director spoke about the much needed focus on fairness for utilities’ customers when it comes to rate making:

“In theory utility rate making has always been about determining fair, just and reasonable rates. For residential customers, the concept of a fair, just and reasonable rate has to include a strong focus on affordability. Without this, rates are not fair, they are not just and it’s not reasonable to have utility bills be so high that customers can’t afford them and instead are disconnected.”

“The concept of a fair, just and reasonable rate has to include a strong focus on affordability. Without this, rates are not fair, they are not just and it’s not reasonable to have utility bills be so high that customers can’t afford them and instead are disconnected.” - Bob Jenks, Oregon CUB

Rogelia Martinez Perez, a Portland community member shared her thoughts with the committee on why this bill would be beneficial to families like her own:

“Yo apoyo HB 3179, porque me daría estabilidad económica no tener un aumento de tarifa a menos de 1 año y medio del último aumento. Con el aumento de comida y renta, y todo lo demás en mi vida, asegurando que las utilidades no puedan subir mis facturas cada año ayudaría a mi familia, y las familias de muchas personas por todo Oregon.”

“I support HB 3179, because it would give me economic stability not to have a rate increase less than 1 and a half years after the last increase. With food and rent going up, and everything else in my life, ensuring that utilities can’t raise my bills each year would help my family, and the families of many people across Oregon.”

“I support HB 3179, because it would give me economic stability not to have a rate increase less than 1 and a half years after the last increase.” - Rogelia Martinez Perez

Soledad Martinez, a Gresham community member says, “Yo apoyo HB 3179 porque asegura que las tarifas no suban más de una vez por año y medio. Ahorita como está la cosa, esta bien dificil hacer el presupuesto cada mes, y tengo miedo que me desconecten las luz.”

“I support HB 3179 because it ensures that rates do not go up more than once every year and a half. Right now with the way things are, it’s very difficult to budget every month, and I’m afraid that I’ll be disconnected.”

“

I support HB 3179 because it ensures that rates do not go up more than once every year and a half. Right now with the way things are, it’s very difficult to budget every month, and I’m afraid that I’ll be disconnected.” - Soledad Molina

CUB Will Continue to Fight for Energy Affordability

The House Commerce & Consumer Protections Committee is scheduled to hold another hearing on this bill on Tuesday, February 25th. Supporters can write to their representatives and ask them to support HB 3179!

Keep an eye out for our work around holding data centers accountable for their energy use too. The Power Act will be having a hearing on Thursday, March 6th. If you’re interested in getting involved check out CUB’s Action Alert. You can also reach out to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to connect with our Community Organizer and get some assistance on crafting a public comment.

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.

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.

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