April 27, 2024 11:00 a.m.

The Oregon Public Utility Commission is seeking public comment on Pacific Power’s proposed rate increase.

An OPUC release said a virtual event will be held on Tuesday night from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., providing the opportunity to speak directly with commissioners about the proposal. Customers may also submit comments in writing or by phone through June 14th.

Pacific Power, which provides electric services to 627,000 customers in Oregon, filed a request to increase overall revenues by $322.3 million or approximately 17.9 percent for all customer types combined. If approved, residential single-family customers using an average of 950 kilowatt hours per month would see a bill increase of $30.66. For a residential customer in a multi-family home using an average of 650 kilowatt hours per month, the bill would increase by $18.51.

The release said Pacific Power identifies several reasons driving the general rate case filing, including investments in transmission infrastructure, wind generation to serve customer load, upgrading the customer service system, increased costs of capital to reflect the updated market conditions and risk, and wildfire and vegetation management related costs. The company also proposes an insurance cost adjustment and funding for a proposed catastrophic fire fund.

The general rate case filing is undergoing a nearly year-long review and will be fully investigated on behalf of electricity customers by the PUC, the Oregon Citizens Utility Board and others. The public comment event is part of that investigation, which will conclude in December when the commissioners rule on the request. The commissioners may approve or modify Pacific Powers request and will only approve rate increases if fully justified by the company. New rates, if approved, are expected to go into effect on January 1st of next year.

Access the Zoom link and phone-in details for Tuesday at:  https://bit.ly/44bnMi6

Written comments can be emailed: puc.publiccomments@puc.oregon.gov