Raise Your Voice, Not Your Utility Bill: Portland General Electric Rate Increase

Portland General Electric (PGE) is asking regulators to approve a $338 million bill increase for customers. PGE’s request includes new investments in utility infrastructure and adjustments for increased power costs. The majority of the increased power costs are from rising fossil fuel prices. 

Residential customers could see an increase of about 16% starting in 2024. For average multifamily residents, that’s an extra $15 each month. For average single-family homes, that’s an added $23 each month.

Important Dates

• May 31, 2023: Final deadline for written comments
• October 30, 2023: Target Commission decision date
• January 1, 2024: New rates go into effect

How to Submit Written Comments

Use this form (provided by the Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board) or email [email protected] (Subject line: “Comments on UE 416”) to submit comments directly. Comments can also be shared over the phone at 503-378-6600. Sample written comments are included at the end of this blog.

What Customers Could Expect in 2024 Bills

The proposed bill increase will impact households differently depending on the type of housing and energy usage. For multifamily residents, it could be an average increase of $15.81 each month. For single-family residents, it could add $22.71 each month.

What is Included in This Rate Increase

Overall, PGE is requesting $338 million more from all customers each year. They are asking residential customers to cover $192 million of the total increase.

18.4% of the total rate increase is coming from rising natural gas prices.

Adjusting for Higher Power Costs: $129.8 million of the total increase is coming from rising costs of electricity generation. $62.4 million is from natural gas costs alone. PGE also wants to change how it can adjust customer bills for these costs to get more money in the future. This goes against standard business practices for Oregon utilities.

PGE may be asking for more than is reasonable for new infrastructure.

Faraday Hydroelectricity Facility: In 2018, PGE planned on spending $84 million rebuilding the Faraday facility near Estacada. The project has been delayed by 4 years and has ballooned in cost. PGE is requesting to collect $147.8 million for this project.

PGE also wants to add tens of millions of dollars to increase shareholder profits.

CEP believes that it is inappropriate to ask for higher profits when customers are facing a historic bill increase.

Your Voice Matters

Use the sample written comments below to share how this increase would affect you and your household.

I am writing to comment on the PGE rate case (UE 416). As a PGE customer, a 16% rate increase will have a big impact on my household. 

[For apartment residents] I live in an apartment and I’m low income. A $15/mo increase is a big deal for me. Inflation has already increased my grocery bills and other household expenses. No one should have to choose between electricity, rent, medication, and food.

[For homeowners and renters] I live in a house, and I’m low income. A $23 increase is a big deal for me. Inflation has already increased my grocery bills and other household expenses. No one should have to choose between electricity, rent [or mortgage], medication, and food.

[Add your story: How will you be impacted? How will this rate increase affect you–financially, mentally and/or other?]

At a time of continued historic inflation, raising bills this much will have negative impacts on low-income Oregonians. 

I urge the Commission to reduce this increase wherever possible. 

[sign off]