Oregon PUC Invites Pacific Power Customers To Comment On Proposed Rate Increase - 07/23/26

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) is inviting Pacific Power (PacifiCorp) customers and community members to share their input on the company’s request to increase customer rates. Comments may be submitted in several ways, including during an upcoming virtual public meeting.

Comment at virtual public meeting
Held Monday, July 27, 2026, at 6 p.m. via Zoom or by phone, this meeting allows community members to learn about the proposed increase and provide spoken comments directly to the Commissioners and Administrative Law Judge overseeing this case.

If members of the public are still waiting to comment at 7 p.m., the meeting may continue to allow as many members of the public to comment as time permits.

Information on how to join the meeting can be found at: https://bit.ly/PacificPower-meeting-notice

Other ways to submit comments 
Comments may be submitted through any of the following methods:

• Online Public Comment Form: https://bit.ly/UE470-public-comment-form

• Email: PUC.PublicComments@puc.oregon.gov

• Phone: 503‑378‑6600 or 800‑522‑2404 (all relay calls accepted)

• Mail:
  Oregon Public Utility Commission
  Attn: AHD – UE 470 
  PO Box 1088 
  Salem OR 973081088 

About the Pacific Power rate change proposal
Pacific Power has proposed increasing the amount of money it collects from Oregon customers by $170.7 million, or about 8.6 percent overall. Actual bill impacts will vary depending on customer type (residential, commercial, or industrial) and energy usage. The company reports this increase is needed to continue investing in the electric system so it can provide safe and reliable service to its 667,000 Oregon customers. This proposed change does not include rate adjustments addressed in other proceedings before the Commission that could result in other increases or decreases to customer rates.

These investments include upgrades to transmission, distribution, and generation facilities, along with projects that improve system resiliency and customer service. In its filing, Pacific Power explains that current rates are not sufficient to cover rising operating costs or to support the company’s ability to attract investment for future system upgrades. 

Pacific Power’s general rate case filing is undergoing a nearly year-long review and will be fully investigated on behalf of customers by the PUC, the Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board, and others. This public meeting is part of that review. The Commission will issue a final decision in March of next year and any approved rate changes would take effect on April 4, 2027.

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Oregonians Reminded To Be Ready For Potential Power Outages - 07/22/26

Salem, Ore. – With wildfires burning across the state and extreme weather events affecting communities, residents are reminded to prepare for potential power outages. These events can damage electrical equipment or force utilities to adjust system settings, which may lead to more frequent or longer outages. In some high-risk areas, utilities may implement public safety power shutoffs (PSPS), a safety measure designed to help protect people and communities in high fire-risk areas by proactively shutting off electricity. Utilities may also deenergize lines to protect equipment or to support firefighting efforts.

Be prepared in advance

Prepare your home and businesses in the event a wildfire or weather incident leads to a power outage.

• Be two weeks ready – Gather food, medical supplies, batteries, pet supplies, among other things, needed by family members during an outage or evacuation for up to two weeks. Learn more about what supplies to consider.
• For individuals with a medical condition that requires power, contact your electricity service provider in advance of an outage to register a Medical Certificate. This certification provides added benefits and helps the utility ensure they meet your needs in the event of an outage.
• Update your utility account on your service provider’s website to make sure they have your current contact information and can send you notifications. If uncertain which electric utility serves your area, visit https://www.oregon.gov/energy/energy-oregon/pages/find-your-utility.aspx.
• Keep cell phones fully charged in anticipation of an outage. Consider a car-charger for cell phones and other electronic devices.
• Plan for livestock water needs in the event well pumps lose power.
• Have a plan to relocate to an alternative location for power needs, or if you can, consider a backup generator.

During a power outage

• Avoid downed power lines, including anything near downed lines, at all costs.
• Stay clear of fire personnel and utility crews working to restore service in your community.
• Use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns for emergency lighting. Do not use candles or other potential fire hazards.
• Turn off lights and unplug electric appliances except for the refrigerator and freezer to help avoid a surge to the system when service is restored. After turning off all the lights, turn one light on to know when power has been restored.
• Use generators safely – Do not run the generator inside the home or garage or anywhere near a window or vent, as these spaces can capture deadly levels of carbon monoxide. Learn more about proper use of a generator to avoid hazardous conditions.
• Check on elderly neighbors or individuals with special needs who might need additional assistance.
• Call your electricity service provider to report an outage; do not call 911.

Natural gas tips

• If required to evacuate, no need to shut off natural gas.
• If natural gas appliances do not operate properly once electricity is restored, call your natural gas service provider.
• If natural gas service is shut off, do not turn on yourself. Call your natural gas service provider to restore service.
• If you smell natural gas, evacuate immediately and call 911.

Stay informed and Be Prepared

• The best preparation is to not start a fire in the first place. Visit Keep Oregon Green’s website to learn more about how you can prevent wildfires.  
• Contact your electricity provider or log in to your account and make sure all contact information is current so you can receive alerts and messages.
• Visit Oregon Alert to find your local alert system. Provide current contact details and sign up for wildfire alerts.
• Before traveling visit Trip Check for details on road closures and conditions.
• Check air quality in Oregon.
• Visit State of Oregon Fires Dashboard

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The PUC regulates customer rates and services of the state’s investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities, including Portland General Electric, Idaho Power, Pacific Power, Avista, Cascade Natural, and NW Natural. The PUC also regulates landline telephone providers and select water companies. The PUC’s mission is to ensure Oregonians have access to safe, reliable, and fairly priced utility services that advance state policy and promote the public interest. We use an inclusive process to evaluate differing viewpoints and visions of the public interest and arrive at balanced, well-reasoned, independent decisions supported by fact and law. For more information about the PUC, visit oregon.gov/puc.

It is the mission of Oregon Emergency Management to proactively develop emergency response, risk reduction and disaster recovery programs to better serve Oregonians during times of disaster. OEM prioritizes an equitable and inclusive culture of preparedness that empowers all Oregonians to thrive in times in crisis. The agency leads collaborative statewide efforts, inclusive of all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure capability to get help in an emergency and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters. For more information about the OEM, visit oregon.gov/oem.

PUC Approves PGE Rate Updates Resulting In Higher Bills For Data Centers, Lower Bills For Other Customers - 07/07/26

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) has approved Portland General Electric’s updated rates and select terms of service, a decision that will increase bills for data centers while lowering bills for residential, commercial, and other industrial customers starting July 8.

The approved updates carry out requirements from a previous Commission order directing PGE to assign certain costs to data centers to implement House Bill 3546 (2025), known as the POWER Act. The decision impacts about 963,000 customers across PGE’s service territory.

With the approved change, PGE data center customers will see an average 29 percent increase in rates. Residential customers will see an average 1.3 percent decrease, commercial customers will see an average 2.1 percent decrease, and other industrial customers an average 1.4 percent decrease. A typical residential customer using 780 kilowatt-hours will save about $1.91 each month.

PGE submitted its filing on June 3 to comply with the order that followed the Commission’s investigation into the treatment of large-load customers and established new rate structures for data centers under the POWER Act. The legislation and corresponding Commission order help to ensure that the fast-growing electricity needs of data centers served by PGE do not unfairly increase utility bills for households and small businesses. During the review of this filing and supplemental filings submitted June 30 and July 2, PUC staff and stakeholders verified that the proposed changes were consistent with the Commission’s order.

“These changes ensure that costs created by data centers in PGE’s territory are more accurately reflected in their rates,” said Commission Chair Letha Tawney. “By putting this structure in place now,  we are getting ahead of a bigger issue, enabling responsible data centers to pay their own way, and protecting customers from higher costs in the future.”

The Commission approval includes new rates for data centers, updated terms of service for large customers, a new charge that helps fund targeted energy assistance programs, and updates to rules that govern how new large customers connect to PGE’s system.

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Docket: UM 2377

Oregon PUC Invites Avion Water Customers To Comment On Proposed Rate Increase - 06/30/26

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) is inviting Avion Water Company customers and community members to share their input on the company’s request to increase customer rates. Comments may be submitted in several ways, including during an upcoming virtual public meeting.

“Public engagement helps us understand how proposed changes may affect the people we serve,” said Letha Tawney, PUC Chair. “We want Avion’s customers to have clear, convenient ways to share their perspectives as we evaluate this request.”

Comment at virtual public meeting

Held Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 6 p.m. via Zoom or by phone, this meeting allows community members to learn about the proposed increase and provide spoken comments directly to the Administrative Law Judge overseeing this case.

If members of the public are still waiting to comment at 7p.m., the meeting may continue to allow more time to submit comments.

Information on how to join the meeting can be found at: https://bit.ly/uw211pch

Other ways to submit comments

Comments are requested by July 29 and may be submitted through any of the following methods:

• Online Public Comment Form: https://bit.ly/uw211comments

• Email: PUC.PublicComments@puc.oregon.gov

• Phone: 503‑378‑6600 or 800‑522‑2404 (all relay calls accepted)

• Mail:
  Oregon Public Utility Commission
  Attn: AHD – UW 211 
  PO Box 1088 
  Salem OR 97308‑1088

About the Avion Water rate proposal

Avion Water Company has filed a request for a general rate revision, asking to increase their current rates by 10.28 percent. In its application, the company explains that the additional revenue is needed to support system investments, operations, and maintenance. The filing is under review by the PUC, and public input is an important part of that process.

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Oregon PUC Approves Wildfire Mitigation Plans For Idaho Power, Pacific Power, And PGE - 06/25/26

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved the 2026–2028 Wildfire Mitigation Plans for Idaho Power (UM 2209), Portland General Electric (UM 2208), and Pacific Power (UM 2207). These plans detail how utilities will reduce utility wildfire risk, strengthen system resilience, and protect communities during increasingly severe wildfire seasons as risk models evolve in urban and rural areas to reflect changing conditions.

The Commission also adopted the PUC staff recommendations for additional improvement across the utilities’ programs to support greater transparency, stronger modeling practices, and further demonstration of cost-effective mitigation investments.

Each approved plan includes enhanced vegetation management, inspection and maintenance programs, system hardening, situational awareness tools, increased community outreach, and Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) procedures. PSPS events remain a last resort to reduce the risk of utility equipment igniting wildfires in hazardous weather conditions.

The wildfire mitigation plans are required under Senate Bill 762 (2021), which directs electric utilities in Oregon to identify areas of heightened wildfire risk within their service territories, develop measures to reduce ignition risks, and outline PSPS protocols during dangerous conditions.

“Today’s approval reflects the Commission’s continued commitment to ensuring Oregon’s electric utilities are planning responsibly, transparently, and proactively in the face of escalating wildfire risk,” said PUC Chair Letha Tawney. “These plans help keep communities safer, and we encourage all Oregonians to take steps now to prepare for extreme weather and potential outages.”

Preparing for the 2026 wildfire season and potential PSPS events

• Register for emergency alerts from local and state authorities and sign up for outage notifications from your electric utility.
• Develop a household emergency plan and make sure all family members understand evacuation procedures.
• Create defensible space around your home by reducing vegetation and other fuels.
• Be two-week ready with essential supplies, including food, water, medications, batteries, and pet needs.
• Keep phones and medical devices fully charged ahead of high-risk weather.
• Ensure your utility account information is up to date so you can receive emergency notifications.
• Customers who rely on electricity for medical needs should contact their utility about medical certification programs and consider backup power options.

During an outage or PSPS event:

• Report outages to your utility and stay far away from downed power lines.
• Use flashlights instead of candles and operate generators outdoors and away from buildings.
• Unplug appliances except refrigerators and freezers to protect against power surge damage.
• Check on neighbors, especially older adults or individuals with access or functional needs.
• Stay cool by keeping blinds closed, staying hydrated, and accessing community cooling spaces if needed.

PUC Vegetation Management Program

In addition to reviewing wildfire mitigation plans, the PUC conducts independent inspections of utility infrastructure and vegetation management practices in high fire risk areas. The PUC evaluates whether electric utilities are maintaining proper vegetation clearances, addressing hazards promptly, and meeting statewide and national safety standards. These inspections ensure accountability and contribute to reducing wildfire ignition risk.

Learn more about wildfire preparedness at wildfire.oregon.gov. 

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UM 2207, UM 2208, UM 2209