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@PUCOregon
PUC SEEKING PUBLIC COMMENT ON PGE PROPOSED RATE INCREASE
Spanish translation services available
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) is hosting a virtual event for the public to comment on Portland General Electric’s general rate case filing that proposed an increase to electricity rates. This event, held Thursday, May 16, 2024, from 6-7 p.m. PDT, provides the opportunity to speak directly to the commissioners about the proposed rate increase. Customers may also submit comments in writing or by phone through June 14, 2024.
PGE, which provides electric service to approximately 920,000 Oregon customers, filed a request to increase overall revenues by $202 million or approximately 7.4% for all customer types combined. If approved, residential single-family customers using an average of 886 kilowatt hours (kWh) per month would see a bill increase of $11.33. For a residential customer in a multi-family home using an average of 590 kWh per month, bills would increase by $8.23 Actual percentage increases will vary depending on customer type and usage.
PGE’s proposed impacts for the different customer types due to the general rate case filing are noted in the chart below.
Customer Types | Residential | Small Commercial
| Large Commercial | Industrial |
Percentage increase for average usage |
7.2% |
9.4% |
7.4% |
4.2% |
PGE identifies several reasons driving the general rate case filing, including investments in local battery energy storage projects for enhanced reliability and resilience during peak demand, transmission, and distribution to allow dependable energy flow as demand grows, and upgrades to technology and generation facilities for increased resilience and long-term, dependable power.
PGE’s general rate case filing is undergoing a nearly year-long review and will be fully investigated on behalf of electricity customers by the PUC, the Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board, and others. This public comment event is part of that investigation, which will conclude in December when the Commissioners rule on the request. The Commissioners may approve or modify PGE’s request and will only approve rate increases if fully justified by the company. New rates, if approved, are expected to go into effect January 1, 2025.
Comment via Zoom or phone on Thursday, May 16 from 6-7 p.m. PDT
This meeting may go beyond the scheduled end time to allow more people to comment. The Commission will attempt to accommodate all individuals arriving before 7 p.m. PDT and may close the meeting at 7 p.m. if there are no members of the public waiting to comment at that time. Members of the public who want to comment are encouraged to sign into the meeting as close to 6 p.m. as possible. This event will not be live-streamed.
Access the Zoom link and phone-in details at: https://bit.ly/3Uu9Viy
Spanish translation services are available for community convenience at no cost. For those needing translation services, log into the Zoom platform and select English or Spanish on the bottom of the page. Translation services are not available for the meeting phone-in option.
Submit comments directly to the PUC by June 14, 2024
Stay Informed
To stay informed throughout this case, individuals may request to be added to the distribution list to receive publicly available documents. Submit requests by email to puc.hearings@puc.oregon.gov or by calling 503-378-6678. Please specify Docket No. UE 435 in the request.
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The Oregon Public Utility Commission (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.