Rate decision supports investments in battery storage, transmission infrastructure and maintenance to improve reliability for customers.

PORTLAND, Ore. (Dec. 20, 2024) – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) issued its decision today in the 2025 rate review requested by Portland General Electric in February 2024. The resulting rate changes, ranging from 5.5% to 7.7% based upon customer type, will take effect January 1, 2025, and support infrastructure investments serving customers, including a local battery energy storage system designed to improve the availability of PGE’s renewable energy sources and reduce the need to purchase power from the energy market.

“PGE is working to keep prices as low as possible, knowing that customers depend on the energy we provide every day,” said John McFarland, VP Chief Commercial and Customer Officer. “To achieve this, we are making investments in a smarter and stronger energy grid to reduce outages, connect to more carbon-free energy resources and protect against damage from extreme weather and wildfires.”

The Commission authorized a residential rate increase of 5.5%, the lowest rate change among customer classes. More than half the residential rate change consists of the result of increased power costs (1.9%) and an increase to mandated funding of the Energy Trust of Oregon (1.1%). The remaining 2.5% of the residential rate increase is for capital investments for infrastructure upgrades to modernize and secure the power grid.

Estimated authorized rate increases beginning January 1, 2025

*Not all customer classes are represented in this chart

Calculations of 2025 rates for each customer class will be finalized in a required PGE compliance filing with the Commission next week.

The Commission's decision approved an expected revenue requirement increase of $98 million, which is approximately 54% recovery from PGE’s final open brief filing of $182 million. The final order approved a capital structure of 50% debt and 50% equity and a return on equity (ROE) of 9.34%.

PGE is evaluating the full impact of the order, which includes decisions on certain items related to operating and maintenance costs, PGE’s fleet electrification and the Clearwater Wind Energy Center. As the Commission invited in its decision, PGE will submit a new filing to recover investments in the Seaside battery project with expedited review. PGE remains committed to customer affordability, carefully managing its cost structure and deploying resources for high-impact investments that provide maximum benefits to all stakeholders.

In its decision, the Commission noted it is not aware of significant influence from large user demand growth in the adopted rate changes for 2025. In a separate filing with the Commission today, PGE filed a proposal (UE 430) to strengthen protections for residential and small business customers and fairly allocate the cost and risk of serving large amounts of electricity to new industrial customers. The proposal includes securing up-front payments and requiring long-term contractual commitments and exit fees, among other measures. These will help pay for system investments while giving new industrial ‘large load’ customers greater clarity about the cost and timing for the energy they are seeking.

The rate review and approval process administered by the OPUC is an open, transparent public regulatory proceeding. Over the 11 months of the process, PGE provided nearly 2,000 pages of written testimony and responded to approximately 1,120 commission data requests and engaged with multiple intervenor groups. 

PGE is here to help customers with their energy use and costs.

PGE is committed to helping customers access the energy they need. PGE has worked with the Commission and customer advocates to expand customer protections. PGE will suspend any disconnection for income-qualified bill discount (IQBD) customers and customers with medical certificates through March 31, 2025. In addition, PGE is forgiving up to $1000 past-due balances for the company's most vulnerable, lowest-income IQBD customers, and expanding cold-weather disconnection protections for all customers.

Rising prices are a challenge for many customers and PGE is committed to helping customers access the energy they need. The company offers a variety of tools that help customers take control of their energy, such as usage dashboards, rebates, and incentives for energy efficiency. PGE continues to work to increase enrollment in its Income-Qualified Bill Discount program (IQBD) and offers a variety of assistance and resources for customers in need. 

To learn more about energy assistance, cost savings programs or tools to help manage your bill, visit portlandgeneral.com/save-money or portlandgeneral.com/help/resources

For more information on rate making, visit Oregon.gov/PUC

About Portland General Electric Company  

Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) is an integrated energy company that generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to over 930,000 customers, serving an area of 1.9 million Oregonians. For more than 130 years, Portland General Electric (PGE) has powered social progress, delivering safe, affordable, reliable and increasingly clean electricity while working to transform energy systems to meet evolving customer needs. PGE has the largest voluntary renewable energy program in the country and was ranked the No. 1 utility in the 2024 Forrester U.S. Customer Experience Index. PGE is committed to reducing emissions from its retail power supply by 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2040. PGE is recognized by the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the company’s commitment to creating a more equal, inclusive workplace. In 2023, PGE employees, retirees and the PGE Foundation donated nearly $4.6 million and volunteered over 23,000 volunteer hours to more than 400 nonprofit organizations. For more information: portlandgeneral.com/news 

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Recent reports of deceptive activity highlight the need for vigilance

PORTLAND, Ore. (Dec. 11, 2024) – Portland General Electric (PGE) encourages customers to be aware of common misleading practices and deceptive utility scams. For the past two weeks, some PGE customers received a text message urging them to pay their bill or risk being disconnected within 24 hours. This is a scam, and customers should remain aware and take steps to protect themselves and their information.

While most deceptive practices reported to PGE target residential customers, businesses – especially small business owners – are also at risk. Scammers use various tactics to deceive unsuspecting customers, including posing as PGE representatives, making misleading phone calls, texts, social media messages and emails.

The following tips can help customers recognize and protect themselves against fraudulent activities:

• PGE will never ask customers to pay their bill with a prepaid card, digital payment apps, cryptocurrencies or direct transactions with banking institutions.
  • Register online or download the PGE mobile app to check account status and verify approved methods of payment. PGE representatives will never contact customers and ask for sensitive personal information such as social security numbers or banking information.
• Be suspicious of urgent threats or pressuring language around bill disconnects or payment.
  • Scammers often rely on a victim’s uncertainty and panic over the prospect of a threatened power shutoff to pressure immediate payment.
  • Contact PGE customer service to verify account status and payment options if someone unexpectedly threatens immediate disconnection.
• Don’t assume the name and number on caller ID are legitimate.
  • Call PGE directly to verify account information (503-228-6322), using the phone number on PGE monthly bill or from PGE’s website.
  • Do not use a number provided by an unexpected phone call or household visit from someone claiming to be a PGE representative. 
• Be aware when clicking links in emails or texts.
  • Use caution when opening unexpected emails or texts asking for account information, bill payment or claiming to be directly from a PGE employee.
  • Double check links for authenticity before clicking on them, they may be part of a phishing campaign designed to obtain personal information.
• Verify the identity of in-person utility representatives. If it is a PGE employee, they will be able to show a PGE badge and identification. 
  • There have been reports of people impersonating a PGE employee or claiming to be affiliated with the company while engaging in misleading sales tactics or pressuring customers for immediate payment on a bill. 
  • Always ask to see a visitor’s employee badge and call PGE (503-228-6322)  to verify their identity if needed.
  • Call the police immediately if the person is an imposter. Call 911 if in physical danger.

If a customer thinks their information has been compromised or they have been victim to a scam related to a PGE account, report the incident to PGE at 503-228-6322. Customer service advisors continuously monitor for scam attempts and work closely with customers to reduce these incidents. 

For more information on how to stay safe from scams, visit PGE’s Fraud Alert webpage. PGE’s customer service team is available to address any concerns and provide support and can be reached at 503-228-6322.

About Portland General Electric Company 

Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) is an integrated energy company that generates, transmits and distributes electricity to over 930,000 customers serving an area of 1.9 million Oregonians. For more than 130 years, Portland General Electric (PGE) has powered social progress delivering safe, affordable, reliable and increasingly clean electricity while working to transform energy systems to meet evolving customer needs. PGE has the largest voluntary renewable energy program in the country and was ranked the No. 1 utility in the 2024 Forrester U.S. Customer Experience Index. PGE is committed to reducing emissions from its retail power supply by 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2040. PGE is recognized by the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the company’s commitment to creating a more equal, inclusive workplace. In 2023, PGE employees, retirees and the PGE Foundation donated nearly $4.6 million and volunteered over 23,000 volunteer hours to more than 400 nonprofit organizations. For more information: portlandgeneral.com/news

PGE to celebrate Project Zero internship program five-year anniversary with transition announcement.

PORTLAND, Ore. (Dec. 3 2024) — After nearly five years providing area youth with hands-on experience in the green career sector, Portland General Electric’s Project Zero internship program will transition ownership to longtime community partner, Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center (POIC).

PGE and POIC will celebrate the five-year anniversary and current internship cohort graduation at 5 p.m. at the World Trade Center on Thursday, Dec. 5.

PGE’s Project Zero internship program was developed in 2020 in collaboration with regional environmental, workforce, and youth development partners to meet the call of area youth looking to create cleaner, greener, and more equitable communities. Funded in part by PGE’s philanthropic arm, the PGE Foundation, the internship program supports individuals faced with barriers to success in school or work by providing an opportunity to work full-time for six months with local environmental justice and stewardship organizations.

Throughout the program, interns receive professional and career development coaching, as well as support from social service experts who address an array of needs ranging from homelessness to food insufficiency to transportation. Since the internship program’s inception, PGE has partnered with 43 community organizations to support 64 individuals in hands-on internship opportunities in the green career sector. Nearly half are now employed full-time in that area.

To meet the growing demand from area youth, PGE and POIC made the strategic decision to transfer the internship program ownership to POIC, an organizational leader in workforce development with a history of providing community-based training to underserved area youth and community members in the Portland-area.

“By working together with POIC and many other youth development partners, we’ve built an inclusive and innovative internship program that is driving our region's clean energy future forward,” said Kregg Arntson, executive director, PGE Foundation. “POIC has a long history of investing in area youth, especially those from underserved communities. The great leaders at POIC will continue to grow this program, shaping the green workforce and cultivating passionate advocates for a sustainable future.”

Since 1967, POIC has been committed to the success of underserved youth, adults, and families in the Portland-area, providing the highest quality services in education, employment training, community safety, and family wellness. PGE and POIC’s community partnership dates back to 2008. Throughout this partnership, the PGE Foundation has supported POIC community programs, such as culturally specific education and workforce initiatives and pre-apprenticeship programs. In addition, POIC was an early supporter of the Project Zero internship program and worked with PGE to develop the program. With deep roots within the community, POIC is an excellent fit to continue this internship program. 

"POIC is thrilled to be working in partnership with PGE and take on Project Zero as the backbone organization. Green jobs are the future of workforce and POIC looks forward to continuing our work supporting young adults as they strive to enter the workforce in green careers,” said Megan Bell, POIC director of employment and training.

POIC is looking to develop more partnerships so that, in time, more young adults can be supported. The organization intends to scale up the number of internships available to the participants it currently serves and, in turn, work to place those interested in green jobs into educational pathways and actual careers once the internships are complete. PGE will continue to support the internship program, as one of many community partners, providing hands-on career experience for area youth interested in green careers.  

About Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center

POIC (Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center) was founded in 1967 as a local chapter of the OIC of America [oicofamerica.org]. From 1967 to 1983, POIC served as a community-based training center for adults, providing education, training, and job placement services to disadvantaged and underserved members of the Portland community. 

In 1983, it added an alternative high school, now called Rosemary Anderson Prep, in honor of its founding executive director.

Annually, POIC serves over 3,000 students, trainees, and families across the Portland metro area. We remain committed to the success of underserved youth, adults, and families and provide the highest-quality services in education, employment and training, community safety, and family and wellness.

Learn more at portlandoic.org [portlandoic.org] 

About Portland General Electric Company 

Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) is an integrated energy company that generates, transmits and distributes electricity to over 930,000 customers serving an area of 1.9 million Oregonians. For more than 130 years, Portland General Electric (PGE) has powered social progress, delivering safe, affordable, reliable and increasingly clean electricity while working to transform energy systems to meet evolving customer needs. PGE customers have set the standard for prioritizing clean energy with the No. 1 voluntary renewable energy program in the country. PGE is committed to reducing emissions from its retail power supply by 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2040. PGE is recognized by the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the company’s commitment to creating a more equal, inclusive workplace and was ranked the No. 1 utility in the 2024 Forrester U.S. Customer Experience Index. In 2023, PGE employees, retirees and the PGE Foundation donated nearly $4.6 million and volunteered over 23,000 volunteer hours to more than 400 nonprofit organizations. For information: portlandgeneral.com/news.