CUB’s 2026 Priorities
Posted on January 22, 2026 by Charlotte Shuff
Tags, Energy, General Interest
A new year means new opportunities for CUB to advocate for Oregon’s utility customers. Across the state, Oregonians are feeling the pinch from the rising cost of living. High energy costs continue to hurt many households, making it even more essential that we rein in out-of-control energy bills.
This year, we’re working to address the energy affordability crisis by pushing back on utility attempts to raise your bills. We’re advocating for moving away from expensive fossil fuels, saving customers money in the long run. And we’re holding corporations accountable, ensuring regulators prioritize people over profits.
Read on to learn more about CUB’s top priorities in 2026.
CUB’s Top Priorities
Energy affordability is CUB’s top priority in 2026. The cost of living is on the rise in Oregon, and energy costs make up a significant portion of household bills. In 2024 alone, Oregon utilities disconnected a record 70,000 households, impacting an estimated 130,000 Oregonians.
No one should have their power turned off because of unaffordable energy bills. Our staff is working hard to advocate for long-term solutions to the energy affordability crisis that too many in Oregon are facing.
Pushing Back on Utility Attempts to Raise Your Bills
While we made significant progress in reining in out-of-control energy costs last year, we need to go even further to help struggling households. Our staff will focus our efforts on pushing back against utility attempts to raise customers’ bills this year.
Slowing Billing Rate Increases
CUB will focus on customer affordability by pushing back on big bill increases that grow shareholder profits.
Some utilities have already proposed massive bill increases. Cascade Gas is asking regulators for a 17.4% increase in residential customer bills, with more increases potentially on the way later in the year. The gas utility plans to invest millions of dollars in adding new customers, utilizing expensive renewable natural gas, and expanding the gas system, which could mean higher bills with no tangible benefits for customers.
Rolling Out the FAIR Energy Act
CUB is pushing back on utilities’ attempts to weaken new affordability laws, ensuring that the economic impact on customers is always front and center.
We’ll also be working hard to ensure that new energy laws are implemented fairly, which will reduce the frequency and amount of bill increases. In 2025, CUB passed the Fair Energy Act (HB 3179) - a huge step towards reining in utilities. Now, the regulators will need to overhaul the utility regulation process, requiring careful implementation and input from community leaders.
Stronger Consumer Protections on Disconnections
CUB will continue advocating for expanding customer protections and programs that keep more households connected to life-saving power.
A record number of utility disconnections and rising energy costs show a concerning problem: unaffordable energy bills are leaving Oregon families without access to power. We need to prevent more households from being disconnected and ensure all Oregonians have access to energy assistance programs.
Thankfully, CUB and many other advocates pushed regulators to take decisive action last year. Oregonians now have stronger disconnection protections in place, keeping more households connected during the winter and beyond. This year, we will go further to expand debt management and relief programs to help more people avoid disconnection altogether, plus more protections!
Moving Away from Expensive Fossil Fuels
When it comes to climate change, one thing is abundantly clear: inaction is the most expensive option. Oregon has an opportunity to lead the way in transitioning to clean energy, but we need strong, coordinated action on energy efficiency and electrification to make that happen.
This year, CUB is committed to advocating for moving away from expensive fossil fuels, saving customers money in the long run.
Removing Subsidies for Growing Gas
CUB is committed to advocating for opportunities to move customers away from reliance on fossil fuels, including electrification and switching to heat pumps.
One of the ways we’re doing this is by pushing back on gas utilities’ attempts to grow the gas system. In UG 525, Cascade Natural Gas is holding on to Line Extension Allowances (LEAs), subsidies that help install natural gas hookups into new developments. Cascade will soon be the last remaining Oregon gas utility charging customers an expansion subsidy.
In 2024, CUB successfully eliminated NW Natural’s LEA, saving customers millions. NW Natural is still challenging this win for customers in the courts. As more households all over the state choose to go electric, it’s time we put these subsidies behind us.
A Managed Clean Energy Transition
CUB will keep holding utilities accountable for meeting climate mandates, supporting an affordable shift away from fossil fuels.
Our for-profit energy utilities are required to reduce emissions by the Oregon state government. Passed in 2021, HB 2021 requires Oregon’s regulated electric utilities to reduce emissions by 80% by 2030, 90% by 2035, and 100% by 2040. The Climate Protection Program requires major gas utilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas, liquid fuels, and propane by 90% by 2050.
Utilities must submit plans to regulators to meet these requirements. So far, no major utility has shown that they have an actionable plan to meet our state’s climate objectives. Without clear, smart plans, utilities are putting customers at risk for high costs down the line. CUB is pushing for affordable plans this year that set us up for success over the next two decades.
Tackling Corporate Greed: They Pay, Not Us
To address Oregon’s energy affordability crisis, we need to identify one major source of rising energy costs: corporate greed. Data centers and other big energy users are driving up energy costs for everyday people. Prioritizing shareholder profits adds more to our energy bills with little benefits Oregonians. And utilities continue to attempt to pass on wildfire liability costs while adding unchecked costs (and profits) on investments to avoid future fires.
Enough is enough. It’s time we hold corporations accountable instead of passing on costs to us.
Taking Data Centers Off Our Home Energy Bills
CUB is committed to reining in data centers and ensuring Big Tech is paying its fair share.
Data centers have heavily contributed to the sharp rise in energy rates for Oregonians. Last year, CUB passed the POWER Act (HB 3546) to hold big energy users accountable for increasing energy costs—and make them pay their share. Now, CUB is working with regulators to implement the POWER Act and remove data center costs from customers’ bills.
In UM 2377, CUB is leading an investigation into PGE and how they’re planning on complying with the POWER Act. While PGE’s initial plans received heavy criticism, public pressure has pushed them into a more favorable position for customers. CUB is in the process of analyzing PGE’s newest proposal to ensure that it is fair for residential utility customers.
Only Necessary Investments in Wildfire Plans
CUB will push back on utility cash grabs when making wildfire mitigation plans, ensuring customers aren’t being charged for unnecessary investments.
We’re also working with regulators to hold utility companies accountable for affordable, efficient wildfire mitigation. Currently, utilities are switching to a 3-year process for wildfire planning. These plans are incredibly important to ensuring we do not see a repeat of the 2020 utility-caused wildfires.
Utility programs and infrastructure need to be updated to make the grid more resistant to wildfires. But those investments cannot be used as a blank check for projects to earn shareholders big profits. CUB will advocate for utility plans that focus on the greatest bang-for-our-buck, while protecting Oregonians and our land from harm.
Protecting Reliable, Life-Saving Landline Services
CUB will hold Lumen accountable for their promise to improve life-saving landline service, or they won’t receive the increases they’re looking for.
Lastly, we’re working on holding corporations like Lumen, also known as CenturyLink, accountable for providing quality service to customers. Lumen has a long track record of failing to provide quality services to Oregon customers, especially rural communities. Despite that, they want to charge customers more money without delivering on promises to upgrade their infrastructure and improve service for many customers.
While this case continues to drag out, CUB will continue to fight for reliable access to landlines. For many in rural areas, this service is the only way to stay connected to the community, vital support services, and emergency services from home.
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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01/23/26 | 1 Comment | CUB’s 2026 Priorities