Utilities

The utility has approved an additional $3.3 million for fish passages at the Carmen-Smith Hydro Electric project along the McKenzie River about 70 miles east of Eugene.

In its appeal filed Tuesday, PacifiCorp argued that thousands of people and businesses across the state should have never been grouped together into a class-action certification. The company also contends there is no proof showing it is at fault for causing fires across multiple regions, including in Santiam Canyon, Southern Oregon and the coast.

House Bill 3546 would require large energy users to pay their share of electricity use. Many data centers and other heavy users of electricity are paying lower rates than residential utility customers.

Natural gas rates and electric rates are set through a process that allows utilities to charge rates that cover the cost of doing business, and then to turn a profit. Senate Bill 88 would essentially create more clarity around utility spending, and when it must come out of those allowed profits.

Portland General Electric, PacifiCorp, BPA and other electricity providers throughout the West are weighing two new “day-ahead” energy market proposals. It’s important because the choice could cost electricity consumers billions over the next decade. Pete Danko wrote about this for the Portland Business Journal and joins us to explain.

Including the increase approved Thursday, PacifiCorp’s residential rates have climbed by nearly 50% since 2021.

The federal government is suing the electric utility company over damages from the 2020 Archie Creek Fire in Douglas County.

At a Monday meeting, the Hermiston City Council approved a 20% rate increase for Hermiston Energy Services, the city-owned electric utility.

Sen. Wyden calls on Oregon’s largest electric utility to detail true drivers of massive rate hikes

Portland General Electric customers could see a double digit rate hike starting next year. The recent request comes on the heels of the utility’s 18% increase in 2024, which was its highest rate increase in 20 years. PGE’s rates have gone up more than 40% since 2021.