April 2, 2020 10:05 a.m.
The Oregon Public Utility Commission is taking public comment via a webinar, due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
A release from the P.U.C. said the commission will be able to hear directly from PacifiCorp customers regarding the proposed increase to electricity rates.
The rate change request is the first from the utility since 2013 and was filed prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. It is undergoing a nearly year-long review, and will be fully investigated by the PUC, the Oregon Citizen’s Utility Board, the Alliance of Western Energy Consumers and other intervening parties. The public comment is part of that process. The commission will make a decision on the request by the end of this year.
PacifiCorp is asking for an overall rate increase of 5.4 percent, or nearly $71 million annually. Under the proposed filing, an average residential customer who uses 900 kilo-watt hours per month would see their bill increase by just under $7 per month.
The webinar is Thursday night from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. To participate go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2389843904203354636. Once registered, those participating will receive a confirmation e-mail about joining the webinar.