Oregon Public Utility Commission responds to public outcry over rate increases

PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) is responding to public outcry over recent rate increases and proposed new ones at utility companies.

PGE customers were hit with sticker shock on their first bill in 2024, after the utility commission approved an average customer rate hike of 18%.

In February, PGE submitted another request for an additional 7% rate increase in 2025.

If approved, this would amount to a 25% increase in two years. And if we go back further, a 40% increase in four years.

“I recognize that people are struggling with rate increases from the utilities, compounding the rising costs that they’re seeing across the economy,” said Megan Decker, chair of Oregon Public Utility Commission. "We only approve rate increases when we are persuaded based on the evidence that is put before us by groups representing residential consumers, business consumers, environmental justice advocates, that the utility is managing reasonably, but costs have nonetheless gone up."

Decker also said extreme weather events like ice storms, extreme heat, and wildfires put pressure on utility companies to make infrastructure upgrades.

“Our landscapes in Oregon change, and as the risk of catastrophic wildfire increases, this pressures all utilities," she said.

PGE isn’t the only utility company seeking rate increases from the utility commission.

Pacific Power customers saw rates go up by an average of 12.9% in January, and the company filed a 16.9% rate increase to take effect in 2025.

Oregonians using Idaho Power saw an increase of 4% in January.

“We’re seeing requests from four major utilities right now,” said Nolan Moser, chief administrative law judge for the Public Utility Commission. “That’s really unprecedented at the PUC.”

Moser and Decker said the commission does consider customers' concerns over costs in their decision-making process -- via public comments, emails, and public hearings.

“Our staff will synthesize those comments and present them to the commissioners," said Decker. "The commissioners can use those comments as part of the overall framework for how they make the decision. The comments may not result in our staff saying, well we’re going to ignore the cost realities that the utilities are facing. But it causes them to bring forward other ideas about changing the way we do rate-making, changing the way customers experience rates, and the kinds of programs offered to mitigate the pressures they’re facing.”

Decker said the commission does also deny rate increase requests.

“There may be a perception that we are giving the utilities everything that we are asking for,” she said. “Our process is meant to hold utilities accountable.”

To get in touch with the PUC, there's a few ways:

• Submit a public comment here.
• Call, email, or find out about public hearings here.
• Search rate increase cases via e-Dockets here.