We Must Center PGE Customers, Not Wallstreet

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. CUB has called on regulators to dismiss PGE’s latest bill increase request.

On Tuesday, April 16, the Oregon Public Utility Commission heard arguments from CUB, Commission Staff’s DOJ attorney, and Portland General Electric. Instead of focusing on the impact on PGE customers, this hearing showed the depth of the issue CUB is trying to address. The system is not set up to protect customers. It is designed to facilitate utility rate cases.

Regulators Showed Concerns About Wall Street, Not Customers

While we appreciate the thoughtful questions from the Commissioners, we are concerned about the tenor of the conversation. At no point were questions directed toward customer impacts.

Instead, one Commissioner asked CUB what message was sent to Wall Street with CUB’s request.

By contrast, no Commissioners asked PGE (or anyone else) about the message that would be sent to customers with another big winter rate hike next year.  There was not a single question about customer affordability.

Public Outcry is Not Attention Seeking

During the April 16th hearing, one Commissioner suggested that CUB’s request to dismiss yet another bill increase was to drum up public support. In its written response, PGE made a dig at the media coverage of the 7.4% rate increase request. Both of these disparaging references to public conversation miss the point: customers do not want their bills to go up again.

Like it or not, people are fed up. Over 1600 Oregonians have submitted comments to the Public Utility Commission. That’s nearly ten times what we would expect in any other similar case.

As much as CUB would love to take credit for this huge response, the reality is that this is a grassroots movement. We need to honor and center the voices that are crying out that the system is not working for them. The experiences of PGE customers can no longer be ignored.

Customers’ Outcry in Their Own Words

“Please do not raise PGE costs again next year. Give us time to adjust to the huge price increase this year. Families and Seniors on fixed income are struggling with the rise in costs for food, housing, interest rate, etc. Thank you.”
-Stella, Beaverton

“This rate hike will make electricity unaffordable, full-stop, for low-income people. Electricity must not become a luxury. We, as consumers, should not be price gouged in the name of grid improvements. I’m not convinced this rate won’t go towards stock PGE buy-backs, executive bonuses, or shareholder dividends.”
-Grace, Portland

“Please do not increase rates. I think the historic rate jump here in 2024 is big enough that one next year isn’t warranted. So many people right now are struggling to pay groceries and rent, this is not the time for a second big price increase.”
-Cameron, Portland

“Please do not approve PGE’s request for a rate increase. They already got one, and it’s been devastating. Everyone I know was horrified by their increased energy bills this year. The average person’s wallet is already strained right now, between out-of-control grocery prices, rent increases, and employers refusing to give anyone enough hours to live on. My family is struggling financially. We can’t possibly “save energy” any more than we already are, and we can’t possibly “save money” on anything else. There are no frivolities left to cut. We don’t have streaming services or cable TV. We don’t go out to eat anymore. We have the cheapest internet and phone service we can get that meets our work needs. We can barely afford basic necessities. Yes, we know about their income-qualified discount—it barely helps at all. It is PGE’s turn to be more responsible with their money. Please don’t let them hurt us even more.”
-Margaret, Salem

“How is PGE able to raise rates 14% in 2023, raise rates another 17% in 2024, and now ask to raise rates even more in 2025 while also reporting a 24% increase in profit? If a company has government permission to be a monopoly, there needs to be strict laws for how they operate. They should not enjoy a $2.2 billion dollar profit for 2023 with zero competition and still operate for profit like they are competing in a legitimate market. I would gladly pay someone else for utilities, but there is nowhere else to go. It’s absurd to even consider another price increase.”
-Josh, Hillsboro

“I can’t believe that the state is continuing to consider rate hikes by PGE and PAC. 3 days ago PGE made what looked like a reach out to help low income homes, then the very next day they announced asking for a significant rate hike. So the low income reach was simply a marketing strategy. By continuing to approve these you are pushing more people to the financial edge. I work with low to moderate income communities and I also work with the utilities. This winter some residents have experienced $400-600 per month electricity increases. Someone that I know that has a completely natural gas home and completely insulated, is married with 2 kids and still experience’s $400 winter bills. Why are you putting these electric changes all on the laps of the people? Yes we need to change the grid, yet the federal and state governments should be addressing this and stop making all of us poorer through utilities greed. A lot of people are now starting to say that they are sticking to natural gas or switching back over. That is turning us in the opposite direction. Please stop these increases!”
-Mel, Portland

“Make Portland utilities an actual public utility company or at least look into them price gouging. From what I understand they charge more than double per kWh compared to Clark Public Utilities. Portland already has a housing crisis and now they’re going to hike it up another 7% next year. Please do something. More people are becoming houseless.”
Kelly, Lake Oswego

“PGE should not be able to request a rate hike after making such a historically high rate hike last year. Their CEO compensation is far too high for them to continue raising rates on their customers. Shame on you all if you let this needless greed go unchecked.”
-Ryan, Portland

“The new PGE rate hike is predatory at best. They continue to report record profits, quarter after quarter. Failing to invest in infrastructure improvements shouldn’t be rewarded with more profit.”
-Adam, Fairview

“I am frustrated with rates as we are seniors on fixed income. The cost for power and constant rate increases are insanity! Our bill practically doubled and was over $500 when normally around $300 even though we are using a wood stove and shutting off lights around the house. How anyone can sustain this? PGE is increasing rates every January and I am not sure how seniors are going to handle it. Those living in Portland pay a much higher rates than WA or CA even though we are sitting on hydro power. I feel like Oregonians are being punished. Please stop raising rates every January!”
-Lynn, West Linn

“Hello, I’m fairly new to Oregon ( 4 years to be exact) and this new proposed 7.4% increase on rates is rather ridiculous. Considering rates with PGE just went up 17% in January which disproportionately affected alot of its customers was hard enough. Is it not OPUC job to protect customers from rates like this? Why is this commission’s job not being done? If those on the commission are unable to do their jobs they should be replaced with people who actually can instead of holding on to incompetent and worthless individuals. This is just another reason to leave this state for a place more affordable. GET IT RIGHT OR GET OUT!”
-Anthony, Portland

“Please do not let PGE raise rates again. I’m already paying out my nose to try and raise my kids in the city I grew up in. Another rate hike is going to push a lot of people out or into poverty. Plus, Maria Pope makes $6m/year. Ask her to take a pay cut first.”
-Evan, Portland

“Please do not permit PGE to raise our rates again. We cannot afford it. Its emotionally and financially difficult. We are angry and tired. Many PGE customers are low income or are not able to get help because our wages are just over what is allowed for financial help. We can’t keep doing this. Stop pay raises and bonuses and lower salaries. No wasting money!”
-Kristen, West Salem

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