This Year in Review: 2021’s Top Stories on the CUB Blog
Posted on December 21, 2021 by Charlotte Shuff
Tags, Energy, General Interest
As a reader of CUB’s Blog, you know that we keep up a steady stream throughout the year of news like this on all kinds of advocacy fronts. Recaps like the one below can read like we’re wrapping the year in a beautiful bow and putting it behind us. But the truth is that the fight for utility customer interests is ongoing – and your support makes this fight possible.
We are asking you, our reader, to donate today to support CUB’s work. With the legislative session coming up in February, we need your help now. Your donation allows us to advocate for policies and regulations that protect your wallet and the environment. Whether you’re giving $5, $50, or $500, you are crucial to the fight for utilities that work for all Oregonians in 2022.
In this busy year for Oregon utility issues, thank you for taking the time to read CUB’s blog. You can always find the latest on our work and top issues for Oregon utility consumers here on our blog and via our monthly email news digest. We really appreciate your being with us and hope you are as proud of our blog as we are because information is power.
Let’s look back at the top stories of 2021 as chosen by you, our readers:
10. Achieving 100% Clean Electricity Reliably and Affordably Is Possible (June 18, 2021)
The 100% Clean Bill (HB 2021), which passed in 2021, has prompted questions about the scale, location, and primary goal of renewable energy development in Oregon. This CUB blog update addresses these questions, and details our belief that Oregon’s major electric utilities can develop and maintain a completely emissions-free system while ensuring affordability and reliability.
9. CUB Supports HB 2475, Energy Affordability Act (February 5, 2021)
The Energy Affordability Act facilitates lower the energy burden on low-income households and increases representation and engagement opportunities for communities that have historically been underrepresented in energy utility regulation. This bill passed in the 2021 Oregon Legislative Session with CUB’s support.
8, CUB Supports HB 3141 and More Funding for Low-Income Programs (February 18, 2021)
HB 3141 meets the original goals of public purpose funding while increasing how much money goes to low-income weatherization and bill payment assistance programs. These improvements will benefit all residential customers, not just low-income households. This bill passed in the 2021 Oregon Legislative Session with CUB’s support.
7. Broad Coalition Forms Around 100% Clean Electricity Legislation (April 20, 2021)
CUB and a broad group of stakeholders developed the 100% Clean Bill. The bill requires our state’s largest electric utilities to serve customers with 100% clean electricity by 2040. It was backed by the largest coalition to have ever supported clean energy legislation in Oregon. Supporters included environmental justice advocates, climate activists, utilities, local governments, labor groups, independent power producers, and key legislators. This bill passed in the 2021 Oregon Legislative Session with CUB’s support.
6. We Are Not Texas, But We Could Have Been (March 2, 2021)
The February 2021 Winter Storm Uri caused historic damage to Texas’s energy grid and some customers ended up with electric and gas bills in the thousands of dollars. It is easy to sit back and be glad that we are not Texas. But Oregon could have had the same system.
5. “What’s the RUB?” Utility Billing and Renters’ Rights (May 4, 2021)
Do you rent your home? Renters’ rights are a cornerstone of housing equity. It’s important that Oregon renters understand what information they are entitled to receive from their landlords when it comes to utility billing.
4. My Experience Switching to an Electric Heat Pump (July 21, 2021)
CUB staff member Sudeshna Pal traded out her furnace and air conditioning system early this year for an electric heat pump, and wrote a testimonial for the CUB Blog. If you are considering purchasing a heat pump for your home, this is a must-read!
3. Oregon Utility Disconnection Moratorium Extended (March 4, 2021)
In light of continuing economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, and after advocacy from CUB and groups representing environmental justice communities and Oregonians with low incomes, the Oregon Public Utility Commission extended its moratorium on utility service disconnections through at least June 30, 2021.
2. PGE’s Rush Hour Rewards for Residential Customers (February 24, 2021)
CUB Economist Sudeshna Pal signed up in early 2021 for PGE’s Rush Hour Rewards program, which incentivizes customers to reduce their home energy usage during peak demand periods in order to save money and conserve energy.
1. Portland General Electric Wants to Raise Customer Rates by $80 Million (July 15, 2021)
Portland General Electric has asked the Oregon Public Utility Commission to allow it to increase customer rates in May 2022 by $80 million per year. If PGE’s request is approved as filed, the average residential customer’s monthly bill will increase by $7.65 or 6.9 percent. This case is still ongoing and will be resolved in 2022.
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12/21/21 | 0 Comments | This Year in Review: 2021’s Top Stories on the CUB Blog