Despite the pullback of auto manufacturers producing electric vehicles; east coast wind projects face cancelation and delays due to a supply chain crunch and high interest rates; and with all the environmental trash that windmills and solar panels create, including fowl carnage, Oregon leadership keeps pushing electric energy while eliminating fossil fuels, which is needed to produce electricity.

Portland General Electric (PGE) has filed a general rate increase to electricity rates. PGE provides electric service to approximately 920,000 Oregon customers. The filing requests an increase of 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 (7.2%). For a residential customer in a multi-family home using an average of 590 kWh per month, bills would increase by $8.23. Oregon’s bread and butter small businesses are scheduled for the largest increase of 9.4%, large commercial rate increase is 7.4% and industrial rate increase is 4.2%. Actual percentage increases will vary depending on customer type and usage.

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 Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC), the Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board, and others. PUC is hosting a virtual event for the public to comment on 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. This public comment event is part of the 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.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Comment via Zoom or phone on Thursday, May 16 from 6-7 p.m. PDT. Access the Zoom link and phone-in details. Submit comments directly to the PUC by June 14, 2024 by using an online form and guidelines or email PUC.PublicComments@puc.oregon.gov. Mail comments to: Oregon Public Utility Commission, Attn: AHD – UE 435, PO Box 1088, Salem OR 97308-1088.

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.

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. Attempt is to 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.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-05-15 20:30:12

Last Update: 2024-05-16 00:04:15