PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland General Electric (PGE) has asked the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) to further increase rates by 7.4% next year.
If approved, this would be the third year in a row that PGE increased rates. Rates for 2024 went up by 17%. In 2023, rates for residential customers increased between 7% and 20%.
PGE said Thursday that it filed a proposed rate review for 2025 with the Oregon Public Utility Commission. An average customer would then, if approved, have a rate increase of 7.4%.
The company said the increased rates are needed to install new local batteries; upgrade the legacy infrastructure; continue maintenance and modernization of other energy facilities; and to cover operating costs.
“To achieve the day-to-day reliability that customers expect while simultaneously solving for the challenges of the future, Portland General Electric is deploying battery energy storage technology to modernize and strengthen the grid,” said Larry Bekkedahl, senior vice president of strategy and advanced energy delivery. “We are focused on delivering reliable electricity to customers while keeping the cost as low as possible.”
St. Vincent De Paul of Portland operates on the largest utility assistance programs in the area. Their office is typically inundated with calls.
"We get anywhere between 100 and 150 calls per day," said Craig Loughridge, the emergency services program manager with St. Vincent De Paul.
On the subject of the rate hike, Loughridge said, "It's going to make it tough for people who are challenged with paying their utility bill, especially the people we serve."
The Oregon Public Utility Commission has 10 months to review the request. If approved, the rate changes would take effect on Jan. 1, 2025, at the earliest, PGE said.
This month, Pacific Power also requested a 16.9% rate adjustment — roughly $304 million — to invest in wildfire risk management, transmission infrastructure and renewable projects. If approved by the Oregon Public Utility Commission, the average residential customer could see a $29.47 increase to their power bill each month.