CUB’s 2025 Legislative Priorities
Posted on January 21, 2025 by Charlotte Shuff
Tags, Energy, General Interest
The 2025 session has officially started at the Oregon State Legislature! From now until the end of June, CUB advocates will be hard at work ensuring that energy affordability is a top priority in Salem.
Energy Affordability is CUB’s top priority in 2025. We’re working on passing legislation as a statewide solution to the energy affordability crisis. In Oregon’s upcoming legislative session, CUB is working with Verde, the Oregon Just Transition Alliance, the Community Energy Project, and other energy advocates, on several bills to reduce the impact of rising energy bills and get energy costs under control.
Learn more about what bills we’re working on and more we’re excited about! Stay tuned for more information on each bill and bill numbers as the session progresses.
CUB’s Top Priority Bills
Last year was a difficult time for Oregonians. Between billing rate increases and extreme weather, many struggled with high energy bills. In 2025, CUB is working to find long-term solutions to address the energy affordability crisis too many in Oregon are facing. We will also be focusing on adding more consumer protections for utility customers.
FAIR Energy Act: Fairness & Affordability In Residential Energy (HB 3179)
Too many people are struggling to pay their energy bills. Oregon’s largest utilities have raised billing rates by nearly 50% since 2021. While some assistance programs are available, these programs alone are not enough to keep up with the needs of utility customers. This bill would work to change the priorities of for-profit utilities and state regulators to center consumer affordability.
The FAIR Energy Act (HB 3179) 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.
POWER Act: Protecting Oregonians With Energy Responsibility (HB 3546)
The demand for energy is growing rapidly in Oregon—mainly from data centers and other big tech. This mass influx of very large energy users is putting a strain on our energy system and driving up costs for everyone. That means that families’ energy bills are at risk of going up to pay for new utility equipment that only benefits high energy-using businesses. Oregon families should not be subsidizing the energy needs of corporations.
The POWER Act seeks to hold big industrial customers accountable for paying for their own energy needs. This bill requires state regulators to create new policies to help protect Oregon households from paying for the energy needs of these big energy users. It will also make for-profit utilities identify the costs that data centers and other large energy users are adding to the system—and make them pay their share. By creating a special category for large energy users, regulators can protect residential customers from covering the cost of these businesses.
Affordable Broadband Bill (HB 3148)
Last summer, the federal government ended the Affordable Connectivity Program, leaving over 238,000 Oregon households without access to critical broadband internet assistance. This program provided up to $30 per month for high-speed internet, $75 for those living on tribal lands, and offered a one-time $100 benefit for purchasing devices like computers. Without assistance, many Oregonian families lost access to affordable internet.
HB 3148, the Affordable Broadband bill, will help replace some of these funds by expanding the existing Oregon Telephone Assistance Program (Oregon Lifeline). Existing assistance will increase to provide up to $24.95 per month when combined with remaining federal programs. A one-time benefit of $100 will also be added for purchasing internet devices like computers or tablets.
Other Bills CUB is Supporting
CUB is proud to join our partners in supporting additional legislation that aims to address energy affordability in this session.
Performance Based Regulation (SB 688)
Oregon’s for-profit electric utilities need some encouragement to make choices that reflect Oregonians’ values. Between skyrocketing costs, wildfire destruction, and struggles to reduce emissions, the existing model of utility regulation is becoming more and more harmful to customers. Oregon has the opportunity to create a new system that creates strong financial incentives for electric utilities to adjust their priorities to ones that have social benefits. Other states, like Hawaii, have already seen success with this system of utility regulation.
Performance Based Regulation empowers regulators to create a new model for setting rules for utilities that tie earnings to performance benchmarks that are in the public interest. With this new framework, utilities’ profits would be tied to what Oregonians value most. These priorities would be related to affordability for customers, reducing emissions, meeting safety standards, and other goals.
One Stop Shop 2.0 (HB 3081)
There’s never been more financial help for Oregonians to upgrade their homes and buildings for better health, lower costs, less pollution, and higher resilience. Imagine a working parent, juggling all of life’s obligations, plugging in some basic information to Oregon’s “One Stop Shop” website, and receiving a list of all the assistance available in one simple read-out. That system is nearly up and running! Now imagine not only do they get the information they need, but a support system kicks into gear. This support system is ready to help navigate the applications, connect to trusted contractors, and answer questions throughout the process until the upgrades are done! Lower utility bills, healthier air, and better comfort in their home, with all the help they need, start to finish. That’s the vision for One Stop Shop 2.0.
Get the Junk Out of Rates (SB 88)
Utility bills are rising rapidly and are unaffordable for many Oregonians. For-profit, monopoly utilities need to tighten their belts like the rest of us. Things like expensive lawyers and lobbyists, advertising, industry association fees, and charitable donations should come out of company profits and not be charged on our bills. These costs are a benefit for corporate interests, not customers. This bill aims to get millions of dollars of “junk” out of our rates. Every penny counts for customers.
Full Funding for Climate Resiliencev(HB 2567)
More Oregonians today enjoy energy-efficient heating and cooling and resilience against the elements thanks to legislature-passed programs in the last several years. Unfortunately, these programs’ funding has been used due to enormous need. With the deaths of at least 17 more Oregonians in 2024 due to extreme heat and the largest wildfire burns in state history, the state cannot spend enough to help prepare our homes and buildings to protect people from climate harm. This legislation ensures these important incentive programs continue, so more Oregonians will be prepared and protected against climate disasters and rising energy costs.
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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03/14/25 | 3 Comments | CUB’s 2025 Legislative Priorities