Staying Connected to Power During Poor Air Quality Events

During fire season, harmful smoke from wildfires can have dangerous impacts on Oregonians’ health. To stay safe, it’s critical that households stay connected to power and keep air filters running. No one should lose power due to nonpayment during poor air quality days.

Thankfully, permanent rules adopted by state regulators ensure Oregonians have better disconnection protections during poor air quality events. These protections are designed to keep more households connected to power, ensuring Oregonians can safely stay inside and access necessary air filter devices during hot, smoky weather.

Extreme Summer Weather: Disconnection Limits & Added Protections

Losing access to heating, cooling, and more in extreme weather can be life-threatening. Now, customers of Oregon’s for-profit utilities have stronger permanent protections.

Protections: Disconnections for non-payment are limited during extreme heat and very poor air quality events.

You Need to Call Your Utility to Regain Service in Extreme Weather

Extreme weather protections are available for all customers. If you have been disconnected because of past-due bills ahead of an extreme weather event, you must call your utility company to get gas or power restored during the protected times. Utilities will not reconnect you automatically. Income-qualified customers and medical certificate customers are not required to pay up-front costs to reconnect in these instances.

Air Quality Protections

Year-Round Protections
Air quality protections apply when the Air Quality Index (AQI) is forecasted to be at or above 100, no matter the time of year. These protections only apply to all for-profit utilities (PGE, Pacific Power, Idaho Power, NW Natural, Cascade, and Avista).

All Residential Customers:

• No disconnections during the air quality event and 48 hours after.

Bill Discount Program Participants & Medical Certificate Holders:

• No disconnections during the air quality event and 48 hours after.
• No up-front costs for reconnection for anyone who has been disconnected up to seven days before the event. Past due balances and applicable reconnection fees will be applied later.

Help us keep each other safe and informed during extreme summer weather. Share these disconnection protections with your community!

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