WPBN: On January 1, 2025, Portland General Electric (PGE) would raise its customer rates by 5.5% to 7.7%.
In order to increase supply availability and lessen the need to purchase electricity from the energy market, a battery energy storage system will be financed with the higher rates that the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) approved.
In a press release, Vice President Chief Commercial and Customer Officer John McFarland states, “PGE is working to keep prices as low as possible.”
According to him, PGE is making investments “in a smarter and stronger energy grid” that will link to carbon-free energy supplies and lessen outages. These developments will assist PGE in preventing damage from wildfires and severe weather.
The rises in residential, commercial, and industrial
The Utility Commission has authorized the following increases:
- 5.5% for residential
- Industrial: 6%
- 7.5% for commercial
According to McFarland, the 1.9% rise in power costs plus the 1.1% increase in required funding for the Oregon Energy Trust make up the residential rate hike. Capital investments account for the remaining 2.5 percent.
It is anticipated that the hike will result in an extra $98 million in revenue.
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PGE Stops Cutting Off Contact with Eligible Clients
PGE will go above and beyond to assist its less fortunate clients. PGE will refrain from disconnecting customers with medical certificates and those with income-qualified bill discount (IQBD) until the end of March 2025.
The business is also increasing cold-weather disconnection protections for all customers and “forgiving” past-due sums of up to $1000 for the most vulnerable and low-income IQBD clients.
According to McFarland, many consumers find growing costs difficult to bear, but PGE is dedicated to assisting them in obtaining the energy they require.
He claims that the organization provides a range of tools, including use dashboards, rebates, and energy savings incentives, to help clients take charge of their energy needs.
By providing consumers with information and support, the company is attempting to boost the number of people enrolled in its Income-Qualified Bill Discount program (IQBD).
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The OPUC Order is being assessed by PGE
According to McFarland, PGE is considering all of the ramifications of the Utility Commission’s order, including choices on the Clearwater Wind Energy Center, its fleet electrification, and specific operating and maintenance expenses.
To recover its investments in the Seaside battery project, PGE will present a fresh proposal to the OPUC.
“PGE is still dedicated to providing affordable products to its customers, closely monitoring its cost structure, and allocating resources for high-impact investments that benefit all parties involved.”
PGE has proposed in a separate filing with the Commission to equitably distribute the risk and expense of supplying new industrial customers with bulk electricity supplies, as well as to improve protections for residential and small business customers.
The OPUC-managed rate review and approval procedure is an open and transparent public regulatory mechanism.
During the process, PGE responded to 1,120 data requests and submitted about 2,000 pages of testimony to OPUC. Additionally, it worked with several intervention groups.
