Why Portland General Electric and Pacific Power customers are getting another rate hike in April

Beginning April 1, two of Oregon’s largest utilities increased their rates for residential customers. Portland General Electric raised rates by 5%, and Pacific Power’s rates went up by nearly 3%. These rate hikes are on top of others in recent years — since 2020, PGE’s residential rates have gone up nearly 60%.   Usually, rate increases arise in November, but due to the Fairness & Affordability in Residential Energy Act, passed last year, utilities can no longer increase rates during winter months, when utility costs are often at their peak. However, this April rate hike has hit at another challenging time for consumers, with gas prices in Oregon soaring due to the war in Iran. We'll hear details about these increases from Kristin Sheeran, the Vice President of Policy and Sustainability for PGE, and Bob Jenks, the executive director of the Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board.